COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — “There’s something about it. It’s in my heart, and I can't... I just can’t stand to see them not have a place to be.”

Cathy Graeve’s life’s purpose is bringing care and comfort to dogs who need it most.

“I love all dogs, but old dogs, they just get me. Even when they’re peeing on the floor, it’s just like, what do you do?” Graeve laughed.

Her passion was sparked about 15 years ago as a member of a dog walking group at the Council Bluffs shelter.

“We started noticing the senior dogs were the ones that were really getting left behind. There just weren’t a lot of people in our area that were adopting the seniors,” said Graeve.

The group eventually opened Promise 4 Paws Senior Dog Sanctuary, a nonprofit where dogs live out their final years in a home-like environment.

About thirty dogs live at the sanctuary, staffed 24 hours a day.

“We have a few dogs now that are hospice dogs. We bring in some dogs that just, you know, they just come here, and we know their time is really limited, but we give them all the care that they need, and we make sure that they’re comfortable," said Graeve.

Graeve makes sure none of them pass away alone.

“We just keep them until it gets close, and then we make that decision and take them, and they always cross the rainbow bridge with me,” said Graeve.

With help from volunteers and the community, Promise 4 Paws has cared for hundreds of dogs in the last few years.

“I feel very fulfilled taking care of these dogs, and I do feel like if I ever have to stop and I get too old to do this, I’ll feel like I’ve done something to make a difference," said Graeve.

From food to medical costs, caring for each dog adds up fast. Visit their website to learn more about donations.

Danielle Meadows at KMTV first reported this story.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

A teacher at an Iowa high school is under arrest accused of leaving a series of threatening notes around school referencing gun violence.

Local police said an investigation into a series of anonymous handwritten notes led them to Abraham Lincoln High School teacher Katrina Phelan, 37. Police said all the notes referenced committing gun violence on school property and were found in Phelan's classroom or by Phelan herself.

According to police in an affidavit, all four notes in question were either found and recovered by students in Phelan's classroom or by Phelan herself.

The affidavit says Phelan admitted to writing the notes and said they were written on paper from her classroom. Police said she confirmed the handwriting on the note was hers, but couldn't recall writing them.

The affidavit also states that when asked why she was writing these notes, Phelan responded by saying "it was out of concern, worry and frustration over the lack of control of her classroom."

When asked what she hoped to accomplish by writing these notes, investigators said Phelan told them maybe to bring attention to the fact that it's "not a safe place."

Investigators said they determined Phelane had no intentions or means of carrying out the threats. They describe one note posing as an unnamed student who said they were tired of being made fun of.

Phelan faces charges of Threats of Terrorism. The three counts are Class D felonies, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

The following email was sent to ALHS parents:

The Council Bluffs Police Department has concluded its investigation into the threatening notes found at school a few weeks ago. They have determined the source of the notes to be a school employee. Investigators concluded there was no intent or means to carry out the threats. However, the employee has been charged with a crime, has voluntarily surrendered to the police, and will no longer be employed by the Council Bluffs Schools. We appreciate the detectives and their diligence in solving this crime.

During that investigation, students provided us with information that was helpful. This is what we expect from students at ALHS.

We want all students, parents and staff members to have confidence that our schools are safe and supportive environments.

Mrs. Bellows, Principal

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa —

It's the "welcome home" 17-year-old Owen Hansen's been waiting for for 98 days.

"This is so much people," he said. "I didn't expect this at all."

A motorcade of Owen's friends and family escorted the teen's vehicle to the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa, for a "welcome back" celebratory party Thursday evening.

Owen hadn't been home to Council Bluffs since February when a snowboarding accident paralyzed him from the shoulders down.

Dozens of his classmates, teammates, friends and family filled the room to show their support.

Owen spent the past three months in the hospital and at Madonna Rehabilitation.

"It's been tough. Therapies, waking up in the morning, half the day full of therapy," he said.

"The COVID rules were hard. It could only be me and my husband there the whole time and what 17-year-old boy wants to hang out with his mom and dad for 98 days?" said Owen's mom, Jolene Hansen.

Doctors said he is well enough to be back, but he still faces a lot of therapy.

"So we'll have PT and an OT come to the house for the first four weeks," said Hansen. "Then we'll be taking him to Madonna in Omaha for [outpatient] rehab."

His family is also trying to raise money to build a home that's accessible for him.

"We have to have a lot of special equipment to move him and for him to be able to do things on his own," Hansen said.

The family is thankful for the community's support.

"It's pretty overwhelming. It just makes my heart very happy," Hansen said.

"It's amazing and unbelievable, really. Just how many people care," Owen said.