Our Story
The Emitt Effect came to life in January 2023, created by Jorie Clawson and Devyn Jambga. Our journey has always been about wanting to leave a positive mark on the world, but figuring out exactly how to do that was a challenge. We grappled with the idea that our resources were limited and wondered if we could really make a difference given our situation. Sadly, it took a personal tragedy to shift our perspective.
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In 2022, our beloved Boxer, Emitt, faced some serious health issues. At eight years old, he battled through various challenges with carefully planned treatments, always putting his well-being and quality of life first. Then, in November 2023, we got the heartbreaking news that Emitt had lung cancer. Facing this unique challenge with depleted finances, we reached out to our community for support. The response was overwhelming, both emotionally and financially, and it helped us feel connected during an incredibly isolating and scary time.
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Despite accumulating substantial debt, we pressed on for Emitt, because, after all he is family and we always put family first. We did everything we could to get him back to his fun-loving goofy self, however, Emitt's tumor turned out to be grade 3, the most severe in dogs. Despite an amazing initial recovery, fluid buildup in his chest took a toll on his health and happiness. Upholding our promise to prioritize his well-being, happiness and quality of life, we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go on December 9th. Emitt wasn't just a pet; he was a cherished companion with an irreplaceable bond – my soul-dog. Truly the type of soul that anyone would be lucky enough to connect with once in their lifetime.
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Emitt, with his kindness, love, empathy, and goofiness, taught us countless lessons during his time on Earth. He taught us patience, perseverance, how to be more empathetic and kind and so much more. The most simple way to put it is that Emitt taught us how to be better human-beings.
We discovered through an animal medium that his greatest joy was helping others, especially those in distress. This was no surprise to us, as it was so obvious that this was his passion and purpose during his short time on earth. Emitt was always there to make us laugh when we were sad and make us smile when we didn’t feel like it. He did the same for all his foster siblings, always making them feel like part of the family immediately. He shared his toys, his home, his beds, our love and his knowledge with his foster siblings, teaching them how to behave appropriately in the most kind and patient ways. He truly had an art for connecting with other beings and bringing out the best in them.
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In his memory, we asked ourselves: Who advocates for dogs less fortunate than him? Those without dedicated caretakers? Those who have been let down by humans? And thus, The Emitt Effect was born. The Emitt Effect is our commitment to keeping his impact and legacy alive. While we know we can't fix everything overnight, or maybe even in our lifetime, we're dedicated to building a community of compassionate individuals willing to support dogs in need.
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Promising Emitt and ourselves that we'd continue his mission, we founded The Emitt Effect to create an inclusive community of like-minded individuals passionate about animals and making a positive impact. The road ahead is uncertain, but we believe that small changes can lead to significant effects in complex systems. We can’t do this alone, but together, we can initiate change, starting small but never doing nothing. This community is for anyone passionate about making a difference, whether you're unsure where to start, have limited resources as an individual or feel like the impact you can make won’t be enough. If we join forces, we can make a real impact. The Emitt Effect is committed to making a difference; we are T.E.E.ming Up for Impact: Making a difference, one action at a time!
