Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Schwanke.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From a young age, I’ve always been passionate about animals. I often told people I wanted to grow up to be a dolphin trainer. As I got older, I continued to push to make that dream a reality but I also knew that eventually I wanted to change my career and go into dog training and rescue. Although I had success and thoroughly enjoyed my years as a dolphin and killer whale trainer, my health was declining and the door opened for me to transition to dog training.
Around this same time, I was contacted about a sweet Standard Poodle named Kylo, his family was looking to re-home him as he was being attacked by the other dog in the home. The family expressed that he had some behavioral challenges due to these experiences and that they were concerned about finding him a new home. Kylo’s story absolutely broke my heart. I offered to take him into my home with my two other Standard Poodles.
Initially, it was tough, I won’t sugar coat it. Kylo would over-correct my other dogs when startled, and they couldn’t even play with him because he was so fearful. I focused on understanding his behavior and worked with him daily to build our relationship and gain his trust. Gradually, Kylo began to relax and open up. I’ll never forget the first time I saw him play with my dog, Phoenix.
Kylo’s success cemented my goal of starting a rescue with the mission of helping behaviorally challenged dogs get the second chance they deserve, leading to the founding of Lavender Run Rescue.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think anyone who has ever worked in rescue could call it a smooth road. The most painful challenge by far is witnessing how often humans fail animals who are trying to survive in our world. These dogs often come to us broken, confused, and scared but hopeful, and far too often that hope is crushed by preventable human choices.
Rescues work hard to protect dogs during transition periods to fosters or adopters, but when their guidance is ignored, the consequences can be permanent. Two of my recent rescues, Lemon and Honey, were rushed into environments that overwhelmed them. Their boundaries were missed, their stress signals were ignored, and out of fear—not aggression—they did the only thing they knew how to do to protect themselves.
Because of that fear, both girls now carry permanent bite records. Records that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Records that never should have existed. What’s most heartbreaking is that those labels now speak louder than the truth—that Lemon and Honey are affectionate, gentle dogs who crave closeness, safety, and love. Despite how far they’ve come, most people never make it past the paperwork to see the precious souls attached to those labels.
I don’t expect everyone to fully understand dog behavior, especially in high-stress situations. However, I believe there’s a responsibility to listen, learn, and advocate for these animals. These are the dogs I dedicate my life to through my rescue and training work—the ones who fall through the cracks, are misunderstood, and are running out of chances.
With patience, structure, and training, Lemon and Honey are now better behaved than most dogs people encounter every day. Yet their biggest struggle is that their futures were altered by human decisions they had no control over. That loss—the loss of opportunity and unconditional trust—is the part of rescue that never stops hurting. This work needs support, education, and compassion if these dogs are ever going to have the futures they deserve.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Lavender Run is a non-profit dog rescue dedicated to dogs with behavioral challenges—the dogs who are often misunderstood, mislabeled, or overlooked. We specialize in dogs who have experienced fear, trauma, or failed placements and are at risk of being deemed “unadoptable” and eventually, euthanized. These aren’t bad dogs, they just haven’t been given the right support to succeed.
What sets us apart is that training is the foundation of everything we do. Every dog who comes into our care receives individualized, professional training focused on building confidence, clear communication, and providing structure. We also work closely with adopters so our dogs are a guaranteed fit in their home. As a dog trainer, I’ve seen many clients struggle after adopting a rescue dog without the right support, several of the dogs we have taken in were returned to their original shelters deemed “not a good fit.” Ronan was a sweet pup that came to us after her family (for her first year and a half of her life) tried to return her as she was too much for their two young children. After completing her training through our rescue, Ronan is now thriving in her new home with a senior dog sister and three young kids. She is currently in training to be a service dog! Our goal isn’t just adoption—it’s long-term success.
Lavender Run takes on the dogs others can’t or won’t: dogs with bite histories, fear-based behaviors, and labels that scare people away. We don’t look at those labels as a life sentence, instead we see them as a starting point. With structure and training, many of these dogs go on to become stable, loving companions. Watching a dog who once shut down or reacted out of fear, learn to trust, is the heart of why we do this work.
What I’m most proud of, is our commitment to advocating for these animals. We don’t sugarcoat challenges, rush placements, or prioritize numbers over outcomes. Every decision is made with the dog’s long-term well-being in mind, even when that means slower growth or difficult conversations. Our rescue exists to give dogs the time and support they’re often denied.
What I want readers to know is that these dogs are not hopeless—they are deeply worthy. Our work stands for compassion and second chances. Through rescue, training, and education, we aim to change the narrative around “problem dogs” and show what’s possible when they’re met with understanding instead of fear.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’m incredibly fortunate to have had several key supporters throughout this journey. Above all, my sibling has been my greatest ally. Despite the challenges of caring for dogs that needed extra attention—whether they were sick or not yet people friendly—they volunteered to be a test subject for training opportunities. Their efforts have helped create compelling content that showcases these dogs and increases their chances of adoption. I genuinely wouldn’t be where I am today without their unwavering support.
I’m also grateful to my friend Emy, who runs a cat rescue named Femme Felines. Her encouragement and moral support pushed me to jump in and persevere through the hard cases. Additionally, the professional dog training company I work for, Powers Canine, has played a crucial role in my ability to work with behaviorally challenged dogs, providing them with effective training at a discounted cost.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lavenderrunrescue.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavenderrunrescue/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577628916956
Image Credits
Kat De Laet
