Living and Leading With AuDHD

Why Sanctuary Life Works for Me, But Traditional Fundraising Doesn’t

I’ve shared openly before that I live with ADHD. What I haven’t shared until now is that I also have autism, which means I have AuDHD, along with a formal diagnosis of anxiety.

This isn’t something I’ve taken lightly or rushed to talk about. But as Woody's Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary and Life With Old Dogs media continues to grow, I feel it’s important—both personally and professionally—to be honest about why I do things the way I do… and why there are certain things I don’t do.

One of those things is in-person fundraising events.

Formal diagnosis for the non-believers

AuDHD, Anxiety, and the Cost of “Showing Up”

For many people, social events are energizing. They enjoy crowds, conversations, small talk, noise, and being “on.” For me, those environments are deeply draining.

When I’ve done in-person events in the past, I relied heavily on something called masking, which is a very common experience for autistic and AuDHD people. Masking is when you consciously or unconsciously perform the behaviors you think are socially expected: smiling at the right time, making eye contact, laughing at the right moments, knowing when to speak, when to stop, and how to appear relaxed even when your nervous system is in overdrive.

From the outside, it looks like I’m fine. Inside....let me tell you... It’s exhausting.

Masking takes an enormous amount of energy, and the cost often shows up later as burnout, anxiety spikes, shutdowns, or days (sometimes weeks) of emotional recovery. I don’t attend fundraising events and leave feeling fulfilled or inspired—I leave feeling depleted and overwhelmed, and as a result, the residents feel it.

Layer anxiety on top of that, and those environments can feel genuinely unsafe to my nervous system, even when nothing “bad” is happening.

This isn’t a lack of gratitude. It isn’t a lack of effort. And it certainly isn’t a lack of care for the mission.

It’s simply how my brain works.

What masking looks like when you have AuDHD

Why I’ve Asked for Help and Why That’s Been Hard

Over the years, I have repeatedly asked for help with fundraising events, knowing this isn’t my strength. I’ve never wanted to control everything. I’ve wanted collaboration.

Unfortunately, the last time I trusted someone with that role, they used the access, contacts, and fundraiser ideas they gained through Woody's Place to create their own nonprofit and replicate our exact fundraising events in the same geographic area.

That experience was not only deeply hurtful, but it also reinforced how vulnerable trust can be, especially when you’re neurodivergent and already navigating the world differently.

I share this not to shame anyone, but to explain why I’ve become more cautious and why I’ve chosen to protect both my energy and this sanctuary more intentionally.

Why Animals Make Sense When People Sometimes Don’t

There’s something else I want to name, because many of you will recognize it instantly:

Neurodivergent people are often drawn to animals.

Animals are honest. They don’t require masking. They don’t expect small talk. They communicate clearly, energetically, and emotionally.

For many autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD individuals, animals provide regulation, grounding, and safety in ways that human social systems often don’t. Being with animals lowers stress, calms the nervous system, and allows us to exist as we are, not as we’re expected to be. And animals seem to gravitate toward us as well, and I don't think that's a coincidence. ;)

No masking here. Just genuine comfort and acceptance

This has been true for me my entire life.

Sanctuary life, quiet routines, predictable care, deep bonds, one-on-one connection, meaningful work is not something I tolerate. It’s something I thrive in.

The residents don’t need me to perform. They need me to be present, consistent, observant, and compassionate, and that’s where I’m at my best.

Redefining What Leadership Looks Like

There’s a common belief that nonprofit leaders must be visible, extroverted, constantly networking, and front and center at events. But that model doesn’t fit everyone, and it doesn’t have to.

Leadership can also look like:

• Creating safe, deeply intentional spaces

• Caring for lives others have overlooked

• Building sustainability quietly and thoughtfully

• Knowing your limits and honoring them

  
  

My neurodivergence doesn’t weaken this sanctuary—it shapes it.

It’s why Woody's Place and Life With Old Dogs focus on depth over noise, connection over performance, and care over spectacle.

For Anyone Reading This Who Feels Seen

If you’re neurodivergent and animals have been your refuge…If social spaces drain you while quiet purpose fills you…If you’ve ever felt pressure to show up in ways that cost you your health…

There's nothing wrong with that. You’re just wired differently, and there is value in that.

And the truth is that animals save many of us long before we ever save them.

Moving Forward

Woody's Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary will continue to fundraise, grow, and evolve, but only in ways that honor the residents, the mission, and the humans behind it.

That means leaning into:

• Online fundraising

• Story-driven support

• Community connection without overwhelm

• Sustainable models that don’t require burnout

Thank you for listening. Thank you for supporting this work. And thank you for allowing me to show up as my full, authentic self—for the residents, and for myself.

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A Gentle Call for Help

If you are someone who enjoys planning and hosting in-person fundraising events, and you have the time, integrity, and heart to work collaboratively and transparently, I would truly love to hear from you.

This role would allow me to remain focused on what I do best, caring for our sanctuary residents, while trusting the right person to help bring Woody's Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary to the public in ways that feel aligned, ethical, and sustainable.

If this sounds like you, or if you know someone who might be a good fit, please reach out. Sometimes the most meaningful impact comes from doing what you do best, so others can do what they do best, too. (Must live within one hour of Waymart, Pa)

Please reach out to dmimnaugh@wpsgss.org

Tell your pup I said Hi!

Dawn