Check Out Leigh Sullivan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Sullivan. She and her team share their story with us below:

Leigh Sullivan is the Development Director for Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary (PSDS) in Denver, Colorado. The third-generation Coloradoan is passionate about animal welfare, management, and philanthropy. As a life-long animal lover, she was always bringing home stray dogs and wanting to help those in need.

Before her work at PSDS, Leigh, a restaurateur, founded the culinary supergroup, FIVE, and spent three decades in the hospitality industry. She is widely-respected marketing and communications strategist and is innovative in her efforts to support both the Colorado culinary world and charitable causes. In recent years, Leigh has been recognized for her invaluable service and support to the LGBTQ+ community. She also serves on the board of directors for Firefly Autism, a charity that is near and dear to her heart.

In 2021, Leigh and her family moved outside of Denver’s city limits so they could exceed the three-dog per household maximum and focus on their work with PSDs. She now lives in Littleton with her husband, three children, and seven dogs, and a Russian tortoise named Charlie. To learn more about working with Leigh at PSDS or to get in touch with her about donating or volunteering to support the organization’s mission, please reach out via email: leigh@psds.org

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to my “success” has not been linear… as a perpetual dreamer entrepreneur I’ve always had my hands in multiple projects at all times! And through all of that, I have had many missteps that I have taken as opportunities to learn from and do better.

Failing forward has always been my motto! I grow up in the restaurant business, and the commercial real estate world, both of those worlds are full of “BDE” so as a woman you have to learn to navigate that. It’s not been easy, but I was raised by an Army Ranger so it’s also not been that hard.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am passionate about helping others!

Charity Work: I worked with No Kid Hungry/ Share Our Strength for 7 years and helped them with their main gala as the chef wrangler/PR person. I am an avid supporter of the GLBTQ+ Center of Colorado and volunteer my time to the Transgender & Rainbow Alley Programs. I also sit on the board for Firefly Autism a non-profit that is near and dear to my heart and my husband and I are chairing their gala Laugh Yourself Blue together for the 3rd time in 2023.
I also serve as a mentor for the Young American Bank Youth Biz awards!

Job: I am a co-founder (along with my adorable aunt & cousin) of a non-profit called Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary 2019. All three of us are Colorado natives, lifelong animal rescuers, and proud foster fails who’ve saved and nurtured dozens of dogs. Pepper’s is located on 132 acres of beautiful farmland in Littleton, Colorado. And it was a 7-year-old Pomeranian that made it all happen.

More than a rescue, more than a shelter, Pepper’s is a sanctuary that was founded to honor a special Pomeranian, Pepper, who found the love and safety that he desperately needed, a dog who needed others to see the incredible worth of an old soul. Pepper was a sidekick, a hero, a best friend – sometimes you’re lucky enough to find all three rolled into one special heart. Some wear capes. Some sport a snarl, lackluster dental care and hygiene, and a healthy dose of suspicion for others.

This was Pepper – he was a sidekick, hero, and best friend to his partner-in-crime and human rescuer, Mary. She adopted Pepper in 2011 when he was around 7. His first years of life were difficult until he sniffed Mary and spent his remaining years being pampered by her compassion and acceptance of all his quirks, gifts, and unconditional love.

They accepted each other exactly how they were – their true selves.

Pepper became Mary’s sober companion – they were soulmates who made it their mission to pay it forward to other sidekicks in need who are waiting to find their forever home and unconditional care, no matter how deserving one appears to be on the outside. Pepper inspired Mary, Justin, and Leigh to open Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary.

Pepper’s legacy teaches us to appreciate the connection and purpose we find within each other and the honor that it is to care for the most vulnerable among us. As Pepper showed us, senior dogs have so much love and wisdom to share.

Personal life: I am married to the most incredible man, I am blessed with 2 biological children & 2 bonus children. I have 7 amazing dogs (all seniors) and I have a Russian Tortoise named “Charlie”. I am blessed with good health, a roof over my head and an incredible family, and gorgeous friends.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk is doing anything outside of your comfort zone. And I do try to stretch myself continuously because risks can lead to rewards. It can also bite you in the ass, but I’ll just stick with the 1st answer!

Contact Info:

• Website: psds.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peppers_senior_dog_sanctuary/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psdscolorado
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuJjn1TX-gc7YLtZKozEu5Q 

Image Credits
Jeff Fierberg, SORA digital