Abandoned in a basket on a college campus in India as an infant, Meena Kumar knows what it’s like to need a little love. That’s why she’s drawn to the pups that are most often overlooked—senior dogs living out their golden years in animal shelters.

Snuggling with four-legged seniors became her passion, and that dedication is helping to support second-chances for dozens of dogs, even after being told she was too young to volunteer.