Hi - Please take a moment to read the NEWEST UPDATE AS OF 1/11/2026. While many of us have experienced heartbreaking losses and some catastrophic, Jacquie too is in a place where her losses are completely debilitating both physically, emotionally and financially every day of her life and will only continue to rapidly decline. The progression of her MS has caused a severe injury that prevents her for caring for Claire, her emotional support doodle.

You can find the full story below.

My name is Elizabeth Sullivan, friend, fellow doodle advocate and VP of Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc.

I am raising funds to help my dear friend, Jacqueline (Jacquie) Yorke, Founder and Director of Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc. (DRC, Inc.) with her mounting medical expenses.

(I realize this is a long post, but please take a few minutes to read and consider donating.)

In 2005 I met Jacquie Yorke on the side of the road of the Merritt Turnpike in southwest Connecticut as we were each driving legs of a rescue trip for another dog rescue, moving a retired breeder mama labradoodle to her final home in the northeast. As we chatted, we realized our own doodles had recently been rescued from the same notorious puppy mill in Pennsylvania. Jacquie told me she was establishing a nonprofit rescue for the labradoodle and golden doodle population as she suspected the need for rehabilitation and finding good homes and teaching the dog owner world about the specific needs of this new “hybrid breed.” It was agreed that the demand for rescuers to place doodle dogs would increase in the future with the popularity increased of the “breed.” I was sold on joining this funny, compassionate doodle advocate with Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc.

As I spent time with Jacquie in her suburban New Jersey apartment, I was impressed with her stamina and incredible endurance as she juggled her career and extensive dog walks, up to 3-5 miles daily. She managed her career during the day and ran the rescue at night and on weekends. Over the past 15 years, Doodle Rescue Collective, Inc. has rescued and successfully rehomed over 5,500 labradoodles and golden doodles and now extended into other hybrids such as Bernadoodles and Sheepadoodles. Jacquie’s vision is that these dogs have specific needs resulting from both parent breeds, backyard breeders and poor genetics. Many of these dogs need extensive vetting, training, rehabilitation and socialization to become successful companion animals.

Jacquie has always been a “hands on” rescue leader and involved in each of the over 5,500 dogs saved by DRC. With time she developed troubling symptoms of muscle weakness, headaches and dizziness that her doctors assured her “was just rheumatoid arthritis.” She eventually moved the rescue headquarters to Rhode Island.

Over the past 2 years, Jacquie has further declined medically and has developed difficulty walking safely, developed trouble with her voice, and lost the ability to maintain fine motor coordination. She finally received the accurate medical diagnosis of advanced progressive multiple sclerosis. She has lost the ability to climb stairs, concentrate long enough to sit in front of a computer and has difficulty lifting everyday items. Unfortunately, she is unable to return to work after her COVID layoff. She now faces an eventual life limited by a wheelchair and the need to hire caretakers and seek handicapped housing that will accommodate her and her personal dogs. She has applied for long term disability, however that is a lengthy process and takes most people well over a year to secure.

Unfortunately, this debilitating disability has hit our feisty, fiercely independent friend and dog advocate like a catastrophic boxer’s punch. For the past 15 years Jacquie has ignored her own needs in favor of the thousands of needy, homeless dogs.

While Jacquie would never ask for help “herself” it is clear from those who love and respect her that she needs us! She needs donations to help her find a handicapped accessible home where she can continue to manage the rescue and keep her own elderly dogs.

Jacquie has applied for permanent disability benefits, however that is a lengthy and costly process. Until she gets disability benefits, she has no funds for ordinary expenses such as food for herself and her dogs, funds for transportation to medical appointments and support staff to help her in the home to meet her activities of living needs or help pay for her rent.

If Jacquie Yorke has impacted you or touched your life over the past 15 years, please consider donating to her cause.

With sincere thanks and gratitude,

Elizabeth Sullivan

Vice President, DRC, Inc.