Decorah woman saves animals with the help of HSNEI

Bandit with Deb Helgeson, the woman who rescued him and delivered him to the HSNEI.

After United States Postal Service mail carrier and Decorah-area native Deb Helgeson saved one abandoned dog last January, she knew she had found a new calling.

Helgeson found a dog, named Bandit, left in a ditch in the middle of winter and nursed it back to health over the following months, rebuilding the animal's trust in humans in the process.

"I told my husband I'm going to do everything I can to help this dog," said Helgeson.  "I know how people treat people, and it's still just unbelievable that someone would do that to an animal."

After helping Bandit, she found another dog named Milton which she decided to help as well.

With two dogs to help, Helgeson contacted the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa for guidance. Because of Helgeson's keen eye and caring heart while looking out for Bandit, Milton was also found and saved, and was eventually adopted into a loving home.

"I highly doubt Bandit or Milton would have survived the winter without the help of everyone involved. Fortunately, Milton was picked up right away, but Bandit, who remained out there, must have had lots of angels watching over him," said Julie Kriener, HSNEI volunteer.

Thanks to caring people like Helgeson, the HSNEI volunteers and concerned citizens, Bandit and Milton's stories are only just the beginning.

Bandit as he was brought into the HSNEI, before grooming and bathing.