We recently connected with Helen Cooney and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Helen, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope the legacy I’m building through Sammie’s House is one of compassion, courage, and connection. I want to be remembered as someone who created space—for both animals and people—to feel safe, seen, and loved. A place where healing happened, not just for the rescued, but for the rescuers too.

Sammie’s House began with a simple belief: that every life matters and that kindness, when practiced consistently, has the power to transform the world around us. I hope people will say that I never gave up on what I believed in, even when the road was hard. That I showed up—muddy boots and all—and made something beautiful out of brokenness.

More than anything, I hope my work inspires others to live with open hearts. Whether it’s through adopting an old dog, planting a garden, teaching a traditional skill, or simply showing up for a neighbor—I hope I’m remembered for leaving things better than I found them.

Because at the end of the day, legacy isn’t about being known. It’s about making a difference. And I hope Sammie’s House stands as living proof that one woman, with a big heart and a lot of grit, made a difference that rippled out far beyond herself.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Well, I’m Helen Cooney—founder of Sammie’s House Animal Sanctuary in Middleburg, Florida. I’m an animal rescuer, nonprofit leader, homesteader, and someone who believes deeply in second chances—for animals, for people, and for myself.

Sammie’s House was inspired by my own healing journey and the unconditional love of my first rescue dog, Sammie. What started as a personal mission has grown into a sanctuary that’s grounded in compassion, community, and the belief that every life matters—especially the ones that have been forgotten or overlooked.

After nearly a decade working in the nonprofit world, raising funds and creating meaningful impact, I felt called to build something of my own—something rooted in love, grit, and everyday acts of kindness. At Sammie’s House, we focus on giving animals a safe place to land and, just as importantly, we create a sense of belonging for the people who walk through our gates. Whether you’re showing up to help bathe dogs, drop off blankets, or simply visit the animals, you’re part of a bigger story here.

What sets us apart is how personal and real this work is. We don’t run like a large, corporate nonprofit—we operate from the heart, often with muddy boots and handmade signs. There’s no barrier between our mission and the people who believe in it. Every dog, every visitor, every moment matters here.

I’m most proud of the community that’s beginning to form around Sammie’s House—people who care deeply, who give what they can, and who believe in the power of kindness. My hope is that as we grow, we remain grounded in that same spirit: welcoming, authentic, and built to last.

Sammie’s House isn’t just about animal rescue—it’s about creating a space where healing, hope, and connection thrive. And I’m so grateful to share that journey with others.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

We’ve been building our online community long before Sammie’s House was officially incorporated—back when our Instagram was simply a place for me to share pictures of Sammie being handsome and living his best rescue life. There was no big plan, no organization behind it—just one dog who meant the world to me and a little corner of the internet to celebrate him.

From there, the account slowly evolved as our life and mission did. I began sharing more about rescue, our home, and the heart behind what would eventually become Sammie’s House. We grew slowly but steadily, simply by showing up with honest, heartfelt content. Today, we’re proud to have a community of over 10,000 followers on Instagram—real people who care deeply about animals, compassion, and the messy, meaningful work we do here.

My advice for anyone just starting to build their social media presence is: start where you are, and start with heart. Don’t worry about going viral or being polished—worry about being you. Tell your story. Show the behind-the-scenes. Let people in on the process, not just the product.

And engage. Talk to your audience like you’d talk to a friend who stopped by the sanctuary. Respond to their comments, ask questions, say thank you. That connection is what turns followers into community.

We’re continuing to grow our online presence in ways that reflect who we are, like our new weekly Instagram Live series, “Saturdays at the Sanctuary,” where we share a behind-the-scenes look at daily life with our animals. It’s all part of continuing to invite people into this mission and make them feel like part of the family.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Yes—there are a handful of books that have truly shaped the way I think about leadership, entrepreneurship, and how I show up for both my mission and myself.

The foundation of my personal philosophy comes from Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo. That book gave me the mindset I return to every single time things feel overwhelming or impossible—which, in rescue and nonprofit work, is often. It reminds me that resourcefulness, grit, and belief in your mission will carry you further than any perfectly laid plan ever could.

I also deeply resonated with The Road to Character by David Brooks, which explores the kind of quiet, internal values that matter most in the long run—humility, integrity, depth of purpose. It helped me define what kind of leader I want to be: one who’s not just effective, but deeply rooted in service and soul.

Tribes by Seth Godin helped me understand the power of community and the importance of stepping into leadership even when it feels uncomfortable. It’s been a guiding light in how I’ve built Sammie’s House—not as a top-down organization, but as a movement of like-hearted people who care.

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero and the work of Amanda Francis and Gabby Bernstein have also been huge for me in terms of mindset, manifestation, and trusting my intuition as a woman in leadership. These voices taught me to believe in my worth, ask for what I need, and build something unapologetically aligned with my vision and values.

Altogether, these books have helped me blend practicality with faith, hustle with heart, and leadership with a real sense of mission. They’ve helped me realize that I don’t need to follow a traditional path—I just need to stay aligned with my purpose, take consistent action, and trust that everything really is figureoutable.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sammieshouse.org
• Instagram: @sammieshouseanimalsanctuary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sammieshouseanimalsanctuary