WUSA 9 DC will feature Woody, an Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) rescue, and his adopter, Park Ranger Lucia Craven, at Caledon State Park in King George at 11 a.m., August 29. ODHS rescue dogs available for adoption will join Woody and Craven. The WUSA 9 DC segment, “The Heart of It,” is new and focuses on emotional and inspiring stories from across the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia area. The taped segment will also air on TEGNA-owned stations across the country.
“This is such a great opportunity for the ODHS rescue dogs to be shown to the public and possibly get the same chance that Woody did when Lucia Craven adopted him,” said Chrissy Blake, ODHS founder. “Our hope is to find forever families for these rescues, and we’re so grateful they’ll be represented on WUSA 9.”
This past June, as Craven was on duty at Caledon State Park, she received a report of an aggressive dog under a vehicle in the parking area. She approached him with caution and saw he had a leash on and an “Adopt Me” bandana, signaling that he probably wasn’t aggressive but a rescue dog that was scared and stressed. As she spoke to the dog in a soothing voice and gave him water—treating him just like any park visitor in need—it took less than a minute for the dog to stop growling. As he started wiggling excitedly and came out from under the car, he allowed Craven to scratch his belly. Less than one-half hour later, the two were friends, and Craven decided to adopt him. His affectionate, grateful and loving behavior won her over, and she named him Woody.