>> EVERYONE NEEDS TO HAVE A PURPOSE IN LIFE. THE THING THAT DRIVES YOU AND SOMETIMES THAT THING CAN COME IN UNEXPECTED FOR GULF COAST. REPORTER BRITT LEONI FOUND A SECOND CHANCE IS ALL SOME NEED IN TONIGHT’S STORY TO SHARE. MY BACKS. BARBARA GREENWOOD RETIRED A FEW YEARS AGO, HER NEXT CHAPTERS STARTED WITH SECOND CHANCES. SHE’S BEEN TO LIKE 2 OR 3 FAMILIES ALREADY. SHE HAS ISSUES. >> SHE WAS BEATEN. SHE, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS ABUSED IN RESCUING HER GERMAN SHEPHERD MAX AND HER BLOODHOUND DOZIER. BARBARA FOUND HERSELF WITH A NEW JOB. SO THEN I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, I REALLY HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING FOR HER TO DO BECAUSE SHE NEEDS A OK? WE’LL TRY SEARCH AND RESCUE. AND I’VE ALWAYS HEARD ABOUT IT. ALWAYS WANTED TO DO IT. THE LEE COUNTY CIVIC CENTER IS JUST ONE SPOT. BARBARA BRINGS HER DOGS FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING HURRICANE. THAT’S GOOD NOW FIND MORE AND WE’RE FETCH. LOOKS MORE LIKE FINES. GOOD GIRL. PRETTY GOOD FOR AN ALL-GIRL NOT ACTS AND THOSE YOU’RE HAPPY WITH THEIR NEW ROUTINE. THEY WOULD BE HUGE FAT COWS, POTATOES. IT WASN’T FOR THEIR JOB. I THINK WE ALL NEEDED THAT JOB. BARBARA ALSO FOUND THEY HAVE A KNACK FOR SERVICE. SEARCH AND RESCUE IS AN IMPORTANT THING. IT REALLY AND IT DOES GIVE ME PURPOSE AND IT GIVES THEM PURPOSE WHEN GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE, THESE PUPS IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO FIND YOUR PLACE IN NOR
Retired Cape Coral woman finds purpose with her rescue dogs
Updated: 6:45 PM EDT May 4, 2026
When Barbara Greenwood retired a few years ago, her next chapter started with second chances.In rescuing her German Shepherd, Max, and her bloodhound, Dozier, Barbara found herself with a job after all.”I thought I really needed to find something for her to do because she needs a job,” said Barbara. “I thought, okay, we’ll try search and rescue.”The Lee County Civic Center is just one spot Barbara brings her dogs for search and rescue training.Max and Dozier are happy with their new routine, and Barbara also found she has a knack for service.”They would be huge fat couch potatoes without their job,” said Barbara. “I think we all needed a job. Search and rescue really is an important thing. It gives me purpose, and it gives them purpose.”Barbara and her pups prove it’s never too late to find your place.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
When Barbara Greenwood retired a few years ago, her next chapter started with second chances.
In rescuing her German Shepherd, Max, and her bloodhound, Dozier, Barbara found herself with a job after all.
“I thought I really needed to find something for her to do because she needs a job,” said Barbara. “I thought, okay, we’ll try search and rescue.”
The Lee County Civic Center is just one spot Barbara brings her dogs for search and rescue training.
Max and Dozier are happy with their new routine, and Barbara also found she has a knack for service.
“They would be huge fat couch potatoes without their job,” said Barbara. “I think we all needed a job. Search and rescue really is an important thing. It gives me purpose, and it gives them purpose.”
Barbara and her pups prove it’s never too late to find your place.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.