Milhomme Realty Group, LLC | From the Broker's Desk

Author’s Note The reflections shared here come from a lifetime of observations, experiences, studies, and quiet conversations that have shaped my understanding of trauma, relationships, safety, and healing. While elements may echo familiar patterns to some, this piece is not a portrait of any one individual, nor is it meant to recount specific events from any single relationship or period in time. Sometimes the quietest spaces hold the loudest truths. An empty classroom can feel haunting when you think about how many future adults are shaped in rooms just like it — long before they have the language to describe what they’re experiencing at home.

When I look at Lincoln — my sweet boy with those soft, trusting eyes — I’m reminded of the purest kind of love. He doesn’t worry about safety, loyalty, or whether he’ll be cared for tomorrow. He knows he is protected. And that’s what every animal should feel. But for so many pets, that isn’t the reality. And what most people don’t realize is this: **Animal abuse is rarely an isolated act. It’s a warning sign of deeper violence happening inside the home.** This connection is so strong and so consistent that psychologists, child-protective workers, animal-control officers, and domestic-violence advocates refer to it simply as The Link. What “The Link” Actually Means Decades of research show a powerful pattern: 57% of families investigated for child maltreatment also had a harmed animal. 48–71% of domestic-violence survivors say their abuser threatened or hurt their pets. Children who harm animals often come from homes where they themselves are ab...