When he’s not making big plays on the football field, Brady Oliviera is making an even bigger impact off of it. As a running back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League (CFL), you’d think his schedule would be packed. But Brady always finds time for something close to his heart—rescuing dogs.
His journey into animal rescue began when his friend Ryan brought him along on a rescue mission. That experience lit a spark in Brady. Since then, he’s been working closely with K9 Advocates Manitoba, an organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for dogs in need, especially in remote areas.
“K9 is the voice for the voiceless. What I do with K9 Advocates is rescue dogs in sometimes far away communities and bring them back to be cared for or fostered. I use my platform to help K9 collect donations and raise money,” Brady shared with Pet Lifestyles Magazine.
And his efforts don’t stop at the Canadian border. Brady has also traveled to other countries to help rescue stray and mistreated animals.
“Our mission is simple, no matter where we are in the world we plan to take on pet overpopulation by saving one life at a time,” he wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post.
The Call That Changed a Dog’s Life
In March 2021, K9 Advocates received a distress call about a dog hiding under a deck. The dog had porcupine quills stuck in his mouth and looked to be badly injured, with blood on his head, possibly from abuse. The poor dog had clearly suffered a lot—and because of that, he no longer trusted people or other animals. Helping him would be a challenge.
But Brady didn’t back down.
He got on his hands and knees and slowly crawled under the deck to reach the frightened animal. Speaking softly, Brady tried to calm the dog while other rescuers worked to block off any exits to keep the dog from running away.
The heartbreaking part? The dog looked like he wanted to trust them. You could see it in his eyes. But the fear and pain he had gone through made it difficult. Eventually, the dog gave up and lay on the ground, unsure of what to do.
Brady didn’t leave his side. He continued talking to the dog, gently petting him, and giving him comfort. Bit by bit, the dog began to respond. When he finally allowed Brady to touch his cheek, it was a sign—they were getting through to him.
Brady knew it was time.
“I got you, Buddy,” he said over and over as he carefully led the dog out from under the deck.
A New Beginning for Buddy
Once the dog—now named Buddy—was safely out, he was placed in a carrier and taken straight to the vet. The road ahead wasn’t easy. Buddy needed three surgeries to remove the porcupine quills and to heal his injuries. But he proved to be a fighter.
After he recovered, Buddy was moved to the Winnipeg Humane Society for Animals where he could be adopted into a loving home.
And here’s the best part—six months later, Buddy found his forever family!
Brady made a special visit to see Buddy in his new home, and the reunion was pure magic. Buddy remembered him. He was full of energy and joy, excited to see the man who had saved his life.
It was a beautiful reminder of how powerful kindness can be, and how one moment of compassion can change a life forever.
Toledo, United States.