Yogi is the adoption coordinator for PAS. She co-founded the group in 1996 but she and her husband,
Keith have been actively involved in animal rescue for much longer. Keith is 2005-2006 PAS President.
Community Service
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Yogi spent one day per week with the St Bernard Animal Shelter where she
helped to increase the adoptability of homeless dogs by conducting obedience classes.
More...
Yogi also spent time teaching dog bite prevention to children
in local schools in the Greater New Orleans area, with her
beloved Boxer mix, Honey. Honey passed away in 1998 at the
age of six as a result of pancreatic cancer. She was also a
certified therapy dog, providing a valuable service to the ill and
infirmed in local hospitals. She is very sadly missed to this day.
Listed below are some helpful links regarding dog bite safety.
They will bring you to the website of the organization that
helped Yogi and Dina start their dog bite safety program.
"Help Take the Bite Out of Owning a Dog"
"Teaching Dog Bite Safety to Children"
"The YES/NO Game: A Dog Bite Safety Game for Parents and Kids"
Family
Yogi and Keith are the parents of 3 grown children, all sharing a compassion and concern for animals and participation in animal
rescue.
Yogi and Keith currently share their home with 2 rescued Rat Terriers and 2 Spinoni Italiani. Pictured below are Blue and Little
Red Man (a.k.a Red), two rescued beagles near and dear to Yogi and Keith's hearts. Yogi and Keith's webpage is dedicated to
their memories and the memory of Honey.
Red was rescued by Keith when he witnessed the 5yr old little beagle being physically abused. He had at some point been kicked
with such severity that he suffered a herniated testicle. He also experienced seizures that were possibly a result of the abuse he
suffered. Fortunately, his seizures were controlled with medication. Red passed away in 2003 at the age of 16 as a result of
congestive heart failure.
Blue was rescued off of a highway at the age of 7, starved and nearly dead from a severe case of heartworms. He was given little
chance to live beyond a couple of years IF he survived heartworm treatment. Blue decided that he was a survivor and stuck
around for 12 more years! The passing of this special dog in 2005, was not only a great personal loss for Yogi and Keith, but for
the work that they do in regards to animal rescue. Blue served as an ambassador, teacher and healer. He rehabilitated many foster
dogs over the years that would have otherwise not been able to overcome their behaviour issues stemming from neglect and/or
abandonment.
While these 2 boys experienced a very undeserved, very harsh start in life, Yogi and Keith find comfort in knowing that the years
they spent as happy, loved, and well-cared for pets outnumbered the years of neglect and abuse they suffered.
"Until we meet again at the Bridge..."
Yogi Johnson, her Boxer "Honey," and Dina
Becnel teach Jermaine dog bite safety
Becnel teach Jermaine dog bite safety
Newspaper Article:
Yogi gives instructions to volunteers at the St Bernard
Animal Shelter during an obedience training class. Yogi is
accompanied by her foster dog, Bonnie. The dogs pictured
are dogs housed at the shelter. In order to increase their
adoptability, the dogs are learning basic commands.
Obedience training also increases a dog's self-confidence.
Many dogs are abandoned because they lack these skills
and their owners are unaware of how to address this issue.
Animal Shelter during an obedience training class. Yogi is
accompanied by her foster dog, Bonnie. The dogs pictured
are dogs housed at the shelter. In order to increase their
adoptability, the dogs are learning basic commands.
Obedience training also increases a dog's self-confidence.
Many dogs are abandoned because they lack these skills
and their owners are unaware of how to address this issue.