- 10371 Smith Road, Middlesex NC 27557
- (919) 912-1220
- info@rainbowbridgerescue.org
Terri Atkinson is the passionate founder of Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue, a nonprofit based in Middlesex, North Carolina, that is dedicated to giving senior dogs and those with significant medical needs a safe, loving place to live out their days. Under her compassionate leadership, the rescue has become a haven for dogs who are often overlooked—those who are elderly, ill, disabled, or simply out of time in the shelter system.
What sets Rainbow Bridge apart is its unwavering focus on quality of life. Here, every dog is treated like family. Whether it’s cozy blankets, home-cooked meals, or just the quiet comfort of a gentle hand, Terri ensures each animal knows they are loved and valued. In a world that too often turns away from the most vulnerable, Rainbow Bridge stands as a promise—that no dog will be forgotten, and every final chapter will be written with kindness.
Terri’s journey into rescue work began in 2011 during one of the most challenging periods of her life. Struggling with depression and anxiety, she had grown fearful of the outside world and had withdrawn from daily life. Then, everything changed one September afternoon while she was watching the local news. A story aired about a dog breeder being arrested for keeping dogs in horrific conditions, and a brief clip showed the face of a tiny, neglected Shih Tzu. In that moment, Terri felt a deep, undeniable connection—she knew that dog was meant to be hers.
Within days, Princess Reagan Marie had joined her family. That adoption marked the beginning of Terri’s transformation. Reagan gave her courage and purpose, and Terri soon began fostering dogs who needed care before they could be adopted. This new passion gave her the strength to reclaim her life—just weeks after Reagan’s arrival, Terri was driving all over Raleigh to help dogs in need, re-entering the world with newfound hope. Today, Terri often says that Reagan rescued her more than she rescued Reagan.
Over the next decade, Terri and her husband, David, poured their hearts into rescue work, volunteering thousands of hours and saving hundreds of dogs—particularly those with the most serious needs. Dogs with missing limbs, deformed organs, no eyes, one eye, no ears, no teeth, heartworm disease, injuries or abandonment trauma—all found love and care thanks to the Atkinsons. From shelter surrenders to Korean meat market survivors, they were drawn to the animals most in need of a second chance.
After working closely with multiple rescue groups for many years, Terri realized there was a specific population of dogs still being overlooked: those needing lifelong or end-of-life care. In May 2021, she founded Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue to change that. The organization is committed to giving dogs with chronic illness, terminal diagnoses or extreme age the dignity, comfort and love they deserve.
Terri’s work is driven by deep empathy, an unwavering sense of purpose, and the belief that every dog deserves to be cherished—especially those at the end of their journey. Through Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue, she ensures that no dog is forgotten, and that every pup in her care knows what it means to be truly loved.
