It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Ball-Eddleman-Mc Farland-House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Fort Worth, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care in Bedford TX, staff are benevolent, attentive, generous,thoughtful, and kindhearted. They work with your schedule and accommodate you the best they can. For a company that have been in business over 23 years, they still take pride in who they employee as well as the families they assist. I am very grateful to be working for a company that works from their heart.”
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“Nice vibes welcoming workers best people to work with.they work with ur schedules and set up work time that are convenient to work with.”
“Dear Mr. Gardner, I am writing to express my gratitude for the commitment and service of your employee, Shameka Kelly. Through your agency, Ms. Kelly was connected to our family to serve as a caregiver for my sister Victoria who was in the late states of ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease and required 24-hr. care at home. Shameka served as full-time caregiver under the direction of Victoria’s husband Ron, who was able to keep my sister at home until her passing this past March. This catastrophic and incurable disease rendered my sister completely paralyzed—wheelchair bound, unable to speak, bathe, eat or even lift a finger to do anything for herself. Shameka did what most caregivers would not or simply could not do because of the stamina and patience required to care for Victoria. Before Shameka, we hired a multitude of caregivers who came and went—sometimes only after one day—because of how strenuous and taxing being a caregiver to my sister was. Day after day, Shameka arrived for the job with a smile on her face and the patience and commitment to go with it. My sister Victoria grew to love Shameka, as we all have. It was a great comfort to us because we knew that if Shameka was on duty, my sister was in good hands. Shameka’s character, integrity, humor, honesty and professionalism are beyond reproach. She is an extremely caring individual who is always upbeat, optimistic, and patient. She was an answer to prayer for our family and became more than a caregiver—she became part of our family. She has my highest recommendation for any task or client that may be placed before her. And we will be forever grateful. Kindest Regards, Pamela Meek North Richland Hills, TX”
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“Rarely do I give a 5-star rating to any company, but this is clearly a deserved rating. I would highly recommend Always Best Care of Ft. Worth. Their care and attention to detail is excellent. After 2 1/2 years of service to our family, they became an extension to our family. Many times they went above and beyond expectations. They communicated very well with family members.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Trinity Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bonnell's Fine Texas Cuisine or visit Hells Half Acre, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Fort Worth, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Fort Worth, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Fort Worth, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
There are many ways for North Texans to support those affected by the devastating floods that hit the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend.Plenty of local restaurants and other small businesses are donating entire days’ worth of profits or offering special sales in this time of need in order to support fellow Texans.Whether it’s a Texas chain or a local Fort Worth business, there is no sho...
There are many ways for North Texans to support those affected by the devastating floods that hit the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July weekend.
Plenty of local restaurants and other small businesses are donating entire days’ worth of profits or offering special sales in this time of need in order to support fellow Texans.
Whether it’s a Texas chain or a local Fort Worth business, there is no shortage of ways to help.
Here’s where you can go. And if you know of any business that is offering to help that is not on this list, let us know.
Bonnel’s Restaurant Group: Jon’s Grille, Buffalo Bros, Bonnell’s, and Waters
The restaurant group will donate 10 percent of proceeds from all locations to mental health services and food funds for first responders through July 11.
A portion of sales through July 12 will be donated to Mercy Chefs. Customers at Loro can round up their checks to donate as well.
The Italian restaurant donated 100 percent of its proceeds through July 10 to Texas Hill County Flood relief.
M Crowd Restaurant Group: Mi Cocina, Monkey Bar, Vaqueros and The Mercury locations
All locations will donate 10 percent of their proceeds to Central Texas flood relief funds through July 13.
Chef Tim Love and real estate firm M2G Ventures are selling hats where all proceeds will go towards grief counseling and relief meals from World Central Kitchen.
All of the proceeds from Kendra Scott’s “Everlyne” bracelet will go back to supporting Texas Search & Rescue, Mercy Chefs and Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. All stores in Dallas and Fort Worth are also accepting essential items– clean adult and children’s clothing, diapers, toiletries, cleaning supplies and toilet paper.
Customers can donate to various efforts at both online and in-store checkout.
The Austin burger joint donated all of its July 10 proceeds to the Austin Disaster Relief Network.
All of the proceeds from the “Deep in the Heart of Texas” charm will be donated to flood relief efforts towards food, shelter and mental health care until August 4.
Customers have the option to donate to the Kerr County Flood Relief program at checkout.
Torchy’s will donate $1 to Texas Hill Country flood efforts for every taco they sell in America for the whole month of July.
All of the chicken restaurant’s proceeds from July 10 were donated to flood relief.
On July 16, 100 percent of proceeds at the restaurant’s disaster relief fundraiser will be donated to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.
Now that the water’s receded, Kerrville is slowly coming back. But it’s not quite the same.Becky Etzler is executive director of the Riverside Nature Center.“These giant historic cypress trees, bald cypress that line the Guadalupe all through Kerrville, you know, are either gone or damaged," Etzler said. "People are right now, rightfully so, very concerned about the loss of life, but we're going to be environmentally impacted by this for years.”The nature center has a strong volunteer ba...
Now that the water’s receded, Kerrville is slowly coming back. But it’s not quite the same.
Becky Etzler is executive director of the Riverside Nature Center.
“These giant historic cypress trees, bald cypress that line the Guadalupe all through Kerrville, you know, are either gone or damaged," Etzler said. "People are right now, rightfully so, very concerned about the loss of life, but we're going to be environmentally impacted by this for years.”
The nature center has a strong volunteer base that has been there for days. But strangers have dropped by as well.
“The rugby team from Texas State, they contacted me Sunday night, said, ‘We're in town. Can we come?’ So we had the whole rugby team here yesterday," Etzler said. "We had some nice, young, strong backs to do some heavy lifting for us.”
Also there: the Shim’s Be Blessed food truck, which delivered free lunches, and Mir’s Landscaping, which supplied a crew with chainsaws. On the other side of the Guadalupe was a sign that read "Free Sandwiches and Prayer."
“Ham sandwiches, turkey sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly? Which one do you want?” asked Jamie Stanford, who drove the five hours from Fort Worth to help.
"We're here to pray with people. Give them a free sandwich if they're hungry, and just to show emotional and spiritual support as much as possible,” she said.
Her friend Brigid Tripp came too.
“I think one of the things that stands out too is yesterday, a canine first responder unit came, and he just had tears in his eyes the whole time," Tripp said. "And you know, my heart just knows what they saw."
The Hill Country flooding devastated Kerr County and the surrounding areas, leaving not only hundreds of people but also hundreds pets displaced, and North Texas is helping take them in.On Thursday around noon, a plane landed at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, carrying 117 cats and dogs from shelters in flooded San Angelo and San Marcos.Wings of Rescue, an animal advocacy nonprofit organization, coordinated the flight. The nonprofit is dedicated to transporting “abandoned, homeless and at-risk pets” from d...
The Hill Country flooding devastated Kerr County and the surrounding areas, leaving not only hundreds of people but also hundreds pets displaced, and North Texas is helping take them in.
On Thursday around noon, a plane landed at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, carrying 117 cats and dogs from shelters in flooded San Angelo and San Marcos.
Wings of Rescue, an animal advocacy nonprofit organization, coordinated the flight. The nonprofit is dedicated to transporting “abandoned, homeless and at-risk pets” from disaster areas to shelters with available space, according to its website.
This is the second flight run by Wings of Rescue that brought animals displaced by the Hill Country floods to Fort Worth, bringing in a total of 242 animals.
The nonprofit partnered with the Humane Society of North Texas for the flights. During this arrival, Humane Society volunteers crowded around the plane, hauling crate after crate from the conveyor belt to trucks.
Despite the cluster of crates and constant movement, all of the animals were loaded into the trucks within 20 minutes. Two sisters, Savannah and Victoria Stites, regularly volunteer for Wings of Rescue. They commented on how well everyone worked together.
“It’s kind of a feeling of awe,” Wings of Rescue Co-President Nelda Corbell said about unloading the animals. “Because you see so much support from all these great people, and they’re the ones that are truly making the difference.”
From the trucks, the animals will be treated by vets and placed in North Texas shelters and foster homes, Corbell said. Once the shelters are full, Wings of Rescue will transport the remaining animals to Best Friends Animal Society in Utah.
The San Diego-based nonprofit takes animals already in the shelter prior to disasters to make space for the animals displaced by the flood, aiming to prevent euthanasia and reunite lost pets with their families, Corbell said.
“I think for me personally, just hearing the shelter staff say, had we not come they would have had to euthanize, and just being able to alleviate that burden for them and allow them to focus on their community saving more lives,” Corbell said about the moment that stuck with her.
Wings of Rescue also provides humanitarian and veterinarian aid, along with pet supplies, to disaster areas, according to their website. They brought this aid to the flood center on Tuesday.
Ric Browde, CEO of Wings of Rescue, said he felt relief once the animals arrived, but that their work is never done. “What didn’t we bring? Now we got to go do that. Got to save more,” Browde said. “It’s the myth of Sisyphus.”
Browde asked that people donate to the nonprofit. Some of the transported animals will be up for adoption this weekend at two Fort Worth Petsmart locations, according to Davidson.
FORT WORTH — First came Banjo, a friendly mixed-breed pup who practically leapt off the airplane, eager for attention.Then came Spot, seemingly shy, and Cleopatra, regal with chestnut fur. There was Ernie, who barked from his crate, and Cristina, who snuggled with her five puppies. Nearby, siblings Penny, Malcolm, Francis and Mason, four orange kittens, rolled around with one another.Some 115 animals from ...
FORT WORTH — First came Banjo, a friendly mixed-breed pup who practically leapt off the airplane, eager for attention.
Then came Spot, seemingly shy, and Cleopatra, regal with chestnut fur. There was Ernie, who barked from his crate, and Cristina, who snuggled with her five puppies. Nearby, siblings Penny, Malcolm, Francis and Mason, four orange kittens, rolled around with one another.
Some 115 animals from Texas’ flood-ravaged Hill Country landed Thursday at a private tarmac in Fort Worth, flown by the nonprofit Wings of Rescue. A trio of organizations — Humane Society of North Texas in Fort Worth, SPCA of Texas in Dallas and Operation Kindness in Carrollton — took in the animals.
Wings of Rescue flew the animals from shelters in San Angelo and San Marcos, inundated this week with cats and dogs rescued from the July 4 flood. The relocation keeps animals from being euthanized and allows newly lost pets to stay near home if family members are searching for them.
Similar relocations happened earlier this year after the wildfires in Los Angeles.
“It’s gut-wrenching to think about,” said Cassie Davidson, a senior director for the Humane Society who also works for Wings of Rescue. “It’s literally fly or die for these animals.”
A couple dozen volunteers helped unload crate after crate, handing out chicken and turkey treats from Cuddly, a crowdfunding site dedicated to animal welfare. Reaching through slats of the crates, they pet cats and let dogs lick their hands.
Tiffany Mindt-Wood and her 18-year-old son, Jacob of Keller, helped carry crates off the plane and onto trucks headed to shelters. The family provides foster care to animals through the Humane Society.
“When something horrible like this happens, we’re gutted, but no one knows how to help,” Mindt-Wood said. “This is a small way to help.”
Texas is already one of the top states in the country for shelter volumes and euthanasia, in part because milder winters allow for year-round breeding.
North Texas shelters, many of which were full when the Guadalupe River flooded, sent some animals to shelters around the country to free up space. Such relocations are common after floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters, said Sarah Sheek, senior director of lifesavingoperations for the SPCA.
Wings of Rescue alone has flown more than 2 million miles and rescued more than 80,000 pets since it began in 2012. The flights are expensive, starting at about $25,000, and fully supported by donors. Additional flights from Central Texas are likely next week.
“The animal welfare community nationwide really jumps into action,” Sheek said. “There’s an outpouring of support.”
Veterinarians will examine the pets this week and make sure they are spayed and neutered. Some will go into emergency foster care. Others will be available for adoption by this weekend.
Adoption sites are: SPCA, 2400 Lone Star Drive in Dallas; PetSmart, 415 Carroll St. and 6572 Lake Worth Blvd., both Fort Worth; and Operation Kindness, 3201 Earhart Dr., Carrollton.
It’s a big week for All Elite Wrestling — one that leads to the promotion’s biggest event of the year on Saturday, July 12, at Globe Life Field: AEW All In Texas.For one AEW Superstar, it’s also a homecoming.Athena, whose real name is Adrienne Reese, is a professional wrestler from Garland. She previously wrestled in WWE as Ember Moon. Now, she reigns as the Ring of Honor women’s champion &mdas...
It’s a big week for All Elite Wrestling — one that leads to the promotion’s biggest event of the year on Saturday, July 12, at Globe Life Field: AEW All In Texas.
For one AEW Superstar, it’s also a homecoming.
Athena, whose real name is Adrienne Reese, is a professional wrestler from Garland. She previously wrestled in WWE as Ember Moon. Now, she reigns as the Ring of Honor women’s champion — the dominant “Forever Reign” has lasted 943 days and cemented her legacy as a top performer.
Athena, who attended UT Arlington, won her ROH women’s championship in Arlington. On Friday, July 11, she’ll come back to Arlington to defend her championship at ROH Supercard of Honor at Esports Arena in front of a hometown crowd.
“I tell everyone, ‘There’s no place like home,’” Athena said in an exclusive interview with the Star-Telegram. “As generic as it sounds, there really is no place like home, and Garland is right down the road. Arlington is a place I consider home as well.”
Athena said she never imagined having the longest championship reign in ROH history. She called it a humbling experience to carry the promotion’s legacy, citing legends who came before her: Brian Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, Samoa Joe, The Briscoes, AJ Styles and Eddie Guerrero.
“To sit there and go, ‘Man, I have outrun them all in my first title reign,’” Athena said.
Even with a reign long enough to draw comparisons to legendary champion Bruno Sammartino, the AEW star said she is not content and wants to hunt the “next big thing.” Athena’s next milestone is the 1,000-day mark, which she could reach on September 5, 2025.
“I don’t want to lose,” Athena said. “I want to hit 1000 days. I want to hit 2000 days. I call myself the Forever champion for a reason. I want to be the absolute best champion in all of pro wrestling, and right now I’m proving that.”
On Thursday, she’ll face AEW Star Thunder Rosa, a former world champion. Outside of character, Athena said she has respect and admiration for Rosa, but as the “Forever Champ”, she simply doesn’t think Rosa, or anyone, is on her level.
“I don’t think Thunder is willing to do everything to get the championship off my waist,” Athena said. “I know that I have her number. I know that I’m not the same competitor that I was the first time we had a match, and I’m going to beat the brakes off of her.”
At ROH Supercard of Honor, Athena will have twenty-five tickets reserved for friends, family, and students of Metroplex Wrestling, a Bedford-based independent promotion that hosts weekly shows and where she serves as a part-owner.
Athena aims to deliver a statement performance in front of the hometown crowd.
“You have to get that win, because if you don’t, you’re letting down your entire town,” Athena said. “ ... I feel like it’s more pressure than anything, but it’s more special when you do come out with a victory.”
Athena’s life in pro wrestling is chaotic. She said she “sleeps, eats and breathes” pro wrestling. As an owner of Metroplex Wrestling, she prioritizes giving back to the independent local wrestling community that helped build her career.
“It’s about furthering the future of independent wrestling and helping to further some of these guys to get a foot in the door at places like AEW and WWE,” Athena said. “Paying it forward and leaving the independent scene and pro wrestling in a better place than where it started.”
The North Texas area, and the Lone Star State in general, has always been a talent hotspot. From the rise of the Von Erich family in the 1950s to legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Dusty Rhodes and Shawn Michaels. Now, Athena searches for and uplifts the next great superstars.
“There are over 200 wrestlers in the area, just in North Texas, not including the ones that drive from Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and even from Mexico,” Athena said. “They drive in. Texas in itself is a major hotbed for wrestling.”
Throughout her career, Athena has been at the forefront of a revolution in women’s wrestling. As the years go on, women’s wrestlers have received more mainstream opportunities to tell stories and leave it all out in the ring.
Now, she will add to the revolution with a Metroplex Wrestling special event: Who Runs the World, an All-Women’s wrestling show on Saturday, August 9.
“(Wrestling) is constantly growing, constantly changing, constantly evolving,” Athena said. “My hope is that people look back and say, ‘Hey, I helped with that.’ Because at the end of the day, my goal is to leave the wrestling scene better than when I came in.”
As a black, female wrestler, Athena said her goal is to be a beacon of hope for younger fans — to let them know anything is possible, whether you want to become a lawyer, doctor, or professional wrestler, even if people are telling you to quit.
“If you put in the work, you can do exactly what I can do,” Athena said. “You can have success with exactly what you want to do.”
With AEW All In: Texas looming, Athena said she is unsure whether she’ll be a part of the event. She said she is still waiting for a phone call and is optimistic about being on the card.
“Honestly, at this point, I might just snatch someone bald and throw them into a locker to take that spot,” Athena said. “ I mean, it’s my home — it’s my town. I want to be able to perform in a stadium show because I haven’t really had the opportunity to do that. So, I’m extremely hopeful.”
The show will include a Women’s Casino Gauntlet match, which awards a championship opportunity to the winner. Many have speculated over Athena’s involvement in the match, and fans will have to wait and see who is involved.
It will also feature “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Mercedes Moné for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
As a longtime champion, many have speculated about the next step Athena can take in her career. She said she’ll be watching the Women’s World Championship match very closely, along with the entire wrestling community.
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