Iowa Man Uses Retirement Savings to Save 67 Corgis

Brett Butler fell in love with his first corgi, Maggie May, 18 years ago and quickly realized he had a special gift for training the famously feisty breed.

When fellow farmers saw his well-behaved corgis at cattle and horse shows, they started asking for help. Their own corgis were giving them trouble, and they'd heard Brett had a magic touch.

Brett began taking in dogs at his Oelwein, Iowa farm for remedial training. He'd work with them and send them home as better-behaved companions.

But some dogs were too far gone to be returned. These corgis were out of options and facing euthanasia unless someone stepped in.

That's when Brett realized he could be that someone. He started accepting corgi refugees from around the country as word spread about his skills as the "corgi whisperer."

In 2018, Brett made it official. His 7-acre farm became Corgwyn Rehabilitation Sanctuary, a registered nonprofit funded largely by his own retirement savings.

Today, 67 corgis call the sanctuary home. They run and play on three secure, fenced-in acres, while the better-behaved ones pile onto Brett's bed at night.

New arrivals spend time isolated with Brett and a few highly trained corgis before joining the larger group. The adjustment period helps anxious dogs feel safe.

Brett handles most of the caretaking himself, with help from one dedicated volunteer. Amy Workman drives over four hours from Nebraska each month to assist with grooming and other tasks.

Sunny's Take

Amy sees how deeply Brett connects with his four-legged family. "The corgis are like Brett's children," she says. "He really is so attached to all of them."

Brett's compassion comes from understanding that many people adopt corgis without knowing what they're getting into. The breed's stubborn, bossy nature can overwhelm unprepared owners.

Instead of letting these misunderstood dogs lose their lives, Brett gives them a second chance. He provides the patience and expertise they need to thrive.

"I'm just really protective of these dogs," Brett says. "I love them, and I'm glad to have the chance to care for them."