Meet Helen Cooney

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Helen Cooney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Generosity, for me, comes from gratitude. I’ve been blessed with people who saw something in me when I didn’t see it myself — mentors, friends, and even the animals who’ve trusted me with their care. That gratitude naturally evolved into a desire to give that same belief and kindness back to others. Sammie’s House is built on that spirit — creating a place where both people and animals can feel safe, valued, and seen.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m the Founder and Executive Director of Sammie’s House Animal Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Middleburg, Florida. Our mission is to provide lifelong refuge for senior and special-needs rescue animals — the ones who are often overlooked in shelters — while creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect, heal, and learn through compassion.

What makes Sammie’s House special is that it’s not just an animal sanctuary — it’s a community. We rescue senior dogs, cats, poultry, and small farm animals, but we also open our gates to people. Volunteers, students, and families come to help with the animals, learn homesteading skills, or simply find peace in the company of creatures who’ve been through a lot and still love unconditionally.

Professionally, my background is in nonprofit development and fundraising, so building Sammie’s House has been the most fulfilling blend of my experience and my heart. It’s both the hardest and most rewarding thing I’ve ever done — watching a piece of land transform into a place where life is honored, and seeing donors and volunteers become part of that story.

Right now, we’re in the midst of an exciting Capital Campaign to expand our facilities — adding fencing, improved housing, and dedicated program spaces for animal care and community workshops. We’re also launching Sammie’s Care: Community Spay & Neuter Initiative, which will provide free surgeries for Clay County pets in partnership with Seaglass Spay & Neuter.

I truly believe generosity ripples outward. Sammie’s House began as a rescue for a few dogs who needed safety, and it’s become a movement for compassion that brings people together.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that shaped my journey the most are resilience, relationship-building, and vision.

Resilience was essential — because starting a nonprofit, or really any purpose-driven project, will test every part of you. There are moments when it feels impossible, but that’s where your “why” becomes your anchor. I learned to keep going, even on the hard days, by remembering the faces (and paws!) I was doing it for.

Relationship-building has probably been my greatest skill. Every step of Sammie’s House has been made possible through connections — with donors, volunteers, local businesses, and friends who believed in the mission. My advice is to lead with sincerity and gratitude. People don’t just invest in causes; they invest in people who care deeply.

And finally, vision — the ability to see something that doesn’t exist yet and hold onto that picture until it comes to life. There were times when Sammie’s House was just a dream and a rescue dog in my living room. If you can imagine it clearly enough, you can create it step by step. My advice is to nurture that vision daily — write it down, talk about it, and let it guide your decisions, even when no one else can see it yet.

For anyone just starting out: be patient with the process, keep your heart open, and stay connected to your “why.” The road may twist and turn, but every act of courage adds up to something beautiful.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely. Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do at Sammie’s House. I’m always looking to connect with people and organizations who share our love for animals, community, and compassion.

Right now, we’re especially interested in partnering with local businesses, veterinarians, and animal welfare professionals who want to make a tangible difference — whether that’s through sponsorships, volunteering, or helping us expand our Sammie’s Care: Community Spay & Neuter Initiative.

We’re also eager to collaborate with homesteaders, educators, and wellness practitioners who align with our vision of Sammie’s House as a place of healing and connection — not just for animals, but for people, too. From hosting workshops to helping with community events, there are so many ways to get involved.

Anyone interested in partnering can visit www.sammieshouse.org
or reach out directly at [email protected]
. We love hearing from people who see themselves as part of this growing sanctuary family. Together, we can create a kinder world — one rescued heart at a time.

Contact Info:

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