Heeling Hearts ACD Rescue

About Us

Who We Are

We are Dan & Brooke Hicks, currently living in Olympia, WA. After living in Texas for 2-years we have moved back to the Pacific NW where we are close to family and so many of our oldest & dearest friends.

Our rescue organization was founded in 2001 after moving to Pullman, WA. We were fortunate enough to have found some truly phenomenal foster homes that are as dedicated to these dogs as we are. After moving to Texas in July 2008, we were able to continue helping ACDs in WA with our fantastic Heeling Hearts network. It is my true passion and although there is a lot of heartache with rescue, there are countless rewards each time a dog that didn’t have a chance, gets to live the best life possible with a wonderful family. We have met some of the most compassionate and dedicated people through rescue and I am grateful to have that opportunity.

Heeling Hearts Australian Cattle Dog Rescue is dedicated to help find new homes for dogs that have been abandon or can no longer be cared for by their owners. Our highest priority are Australian Cattle Dogs at high risk. Such as, dogs that are at shelters that have limited space and are at risk of being euthanized. All of our dogs are altered, fully vaccinated and micro-chipped before an adoption takes place. We adopt to active homes that will make the Australian Cattle Dog a complete part of the family. We direct our potential adopters to research the breed fully before considering adoption.

(below) Hagen enjoying a Texas winter.

Coping With Hagen “HAGEN”

Our first ACD, Hagen, introduced us to the breed in 1997. Hagen was purchased as a companion and “farm hand” while we managed a feed lot in Western WA. He showed us the strength and determination of the Australian Cattle Dog, and we were hooked for life.

HOPE, CGC, CD, OA, OAJ

(above) Hope enjoying the sun beaming through a window on a brisk winter day 2007. (below) Hope and myself competing in agility.

Not long after Hagen came into our home, I became very interested in agility. Wanting a dog of “my own” brought us, Hope. Born 12/14/98, Hope was my intro to the world of “dog sports”. I trained and eventually competed in obedience and agility with Hope. She earned her CD with very little work (placing 1st & 2nd in all 3 legs) and both novice and open agility titles (both in NADAC & AKC) very quickly. Hope is the typical “do before you think” ACD. Many times, she is really too smart for her own good. She has been introduced to both sheep and cattle as a youngster and our plan is to try for some herding titles in the next few years.

(below) Hope earning her CD with first place in Novice A.

(below) Hope & Quila posing like good cowdoggies – April 2007.

Sweet Chute’n Tequila CGC, PT, CD, RA, AX, AXJ, NF “Quila”
(below) Quila at an agility trial in the summer of 2004.

Sweet Chute’n Tequila “Quila” (born 8/30/00) was our third ACD family member. She came to us as a foster dog and never left. Quila was 9-months-old when she was left at a North Idaho shelter because her family was moving. Again, like with so many rescues…their loss is our gain. And what a gain it was! Quila has been such a pleasure to live with and work with. She has the “never give up” attitude that inspires me each day. She has earned her CD and agility titles as well. Currently we are working towards excellent agility titles and her CDX. Quila’s passion is herding so Dan and her have had some real fun at that also.

(above) Sweet Quila posing in the fresh fallen snow – December 2007.

Miss Tallulah is our newest addition and we are loving every minute of her.
As Quila was turning 7-years-old, I needed to start thinking about starting a new performance dog and when you go looking….it’s VERY easy to find something that steals your heart. Tallulah came from Shadybrook Farm www.shadybrookfarm.net in Baker City, OR and was bred by Carol Delsman.

(below) Miss Lu learning her weave poles in March 2009.