DU Director Gail Willis with Her Pet Golden Retriever and Doberman

Gail Willis

Director

My journey into the world of rescue began after the sudden and heartbreaking loss of my first Doberman, Rocky. After years of being a devoted Golden Retriever owner, we finally welcomed Rocky, my very first Doberman, into our family. But tragically, we lost him at just 8 years old, and my heart completely shattered.

It was clear that our home wasn’t complete without a Doberman, and by fate, the very next day I came across the bio of a rescue Doberman in need of a forever home. In that moment, I knew he was meant to be ours. One week later, Kayne joined our family, fitting in perfectly. His boundless energy was no match for our 13-year-old Golden. Just three months later, we adopted our second rescue, Jake, and rescue changed our lives forever.

Feeling the call to give back, my family and I became actively involved in rescue, a decision that has enriched our lives in ways we never imagined. We’ve been working with Doberman Underground Rescue for over 8 years, fostering 15 dogs, adopting a few along the way, and contributing through events and fundraising. This rescue is everything I always believed a rescue should be—truly dedicated to the dogs—and I’m proud to be a part of it.

In addition to rescue work, I have a deep passion for Therapy Dog work for over 10 years. I especially love the chance to educate people about Dobermans in this role—many are surprised to see this breed in therapy work. I never pass up an opportunity to advocate for these incredible dogs and show the world just how versatile and loving they are.

Through it all, the one thing I’ve learned is that in rescue, you always get back far more than you give.