Linda Bessette has been rescuing, it would seem all her life. A graduate of The University of South Carolina , she earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Social Work .Linda has spent 25 years in social services. A child protective social worker , she worked with children who were victims of abuse and neglect and children in foster care and group homes. Over the years Linda counseled families and people with various problems ranging from domestic violence, addictions , to homelessness. Linda currently still works only part time in social work to enable her to manage the Flower Dog Sanctuary. She is also a therapeutic mentor for several disadvantaged children.

Linda has a deep love for children, animals and the environment.  Her free time is usually spent with one of those three passions.  Over the last 20 years she has been featured in various newspaper articles for her strong stance on saving animals such as deer from hunters, seals from slaughter, or regarding child welfare and social issues.  Linda currently takes rescued Flower Animals to local nursing homes and children's' shelters for pet therapy and humane education.

 

 

 

She was recently featured in the book,

"Vegans and Vegetarians Across America,"

written by Karen and Michael Laccommo

 

A Vegetarian for 30 years,  Linda does not believe animals should be used as a food source or in materials to wear.

In November 2005, her moving encounter with a severely neglected chained dog she rescued and named Francesco, named after Saint Francis (the Italian form of the name) is what prompted Linda to start the non-profit organization.  Francesco's story went nationwide and many people participated in what she sees as "random acts of kindness" by assisting with Francesco's large medical bills. Months later Francesco lost his life to cancer but his memory lives on through the foundation of The Flower Dogs Sanctuary.  He was able to live out the end of his life being loved and cared for, which Linda feels each animal and human deserves.

Linda Bessette founded the Flower Dogs Sanctuary and she provides all direct care.  It is an enormous responsibility and a lot of work, but Linda always says that the animals give back more to her than she could ever possibly put into words and for that reason she continues to work to save as many of the "most needy" as possible.