A Colorful Blend Behind the PAWS…

Connecting Through Love: The Meaningful Legacy of PAWS 4 Kisses & Hugs

Aydiee Vaughn Dunson — the visionary founder and director of PAWS — defies expectations. Few would guess that behind this groundbreaking initiative stands a community leader, a small business entrepreneur, a woman of color, and someone navigating the world with a disability. A retired professional dancer, choreographer, and performing arts teacher & gymnastic coach, and former USGF competitive gymnast.  She has built a new legacy, discovering God’s grace and her new purpose through her recovery from injury and her healing journey through PAWS.

Behind the beautiful smile is a woman filled with purpose, vision, integrity, intelligence, gratitude, and passion. While many might feel overwhelmed by the challenges, Aydiee Vaughn Dunson is grounded by her faith and doesn’t limit her gifts to just those who look like her.  She embodies diversity and excellence and has built a bridge of hope for countless young people, families, and business professionals seeking to do the same.  Although her face is not usually the first person the fire station meets, it’s her partner 

Photo R: Aydiee Vaughn Dunson, founder/Director of PAWS and owner of BLMenertainment Black Lucy Music, and her partner for 8 years, Mercy J. Alpert, Paws Community Liaison and owner of Have Mercy Mobile Notary.

Mercy J. Alpert, who carries the good news to their front door, is often shadowed by Vaughn’s quieter presence.  These two ladies have been friends for quite some time, through their involvement in the community and volunteer work.  The two became friends while Mercy was working at the Chamber, and Aydiee Vaughn was working in property management in Woodland Hills, CA.

Mercy’s journey began when she was born in a Naval Hospital in Japan, where her father served in the U.S. Navy. Her family later settled in San Diego, California, shaping the foundation for her lifelong values of service, commitment, and hard work. She further pursued her education at Los Angeles Valley College, earning a Human Resource Assistant Certificate, which complements her professional expertise. She is an active member of the West Valley Warner Center Chamber of Commerce and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles. Mercy was honored with the 2025 Samira’s Network Dedication & Commitment Award for her volunteer leadership, including her work with PAWS 4 Kisses & Hugs, community outreach, and cultural events. 

Aydiee Vaughn and Mercy have given this PAWS movement a life of its own.  This initiative journey began with 1 therapy dog, Prince Bailey, and his owner, actress, singer, and small business owner, Aydiee Vaughn Dunson.  PAWS developed out of pure sadness & hopelessness after watching the news headlines from the 9/11 tragedy. “It felt like I was watching a movie, unreal, but reality set in, and it was her desire to help the nation heal, says Vaughn.”  Not really understanding why she was compelled to respond, perhaps it was the sight of fragile souls, defeated, scared, and a breach in our safety, but through it all, we witnessed humanity pull together, first responders from all over our nation working tirelessly, a community standing in the fire side by side. Through prayer, god’s grace, resilience, and a strong will to survive, Aydiee Vaughn forged ahead, sharing the dream of PAWS with her friend Mercy.

Mercy has been deeply inspired by the firefighters who participate in full gear, weighing over 70 lbs., a powerful reminder of the heroism and sacrifice she also honors through her PAWS involvement. Most importantly, Mercy is the proud mother of three wonderful sons and grandmother of three amazing grandchildren.  Mercy is thrilled to continue her leadership in the community as the newly appointed PAWS Community Liaison for the upcoming 10th Annual Paws 4 Kisses & Hugs, alongside founder and director Aydiee Vaughn Dunson. “This event is truly one of a kind, honoring our local LAFD firefighters with the love and support of therapy dogs and dedicated volunteers,” Mercy shared.  Together, these ladies and the PAWS volunteers have honored over 60 stations in Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley, CA. 

The lesson for us all is that we can live in a world where we can reach beyond ourselves, our color, and our differences, and lead through a simple act of love. “PAWS 4 Kisses & Hugs chose me,” says Vaughn, and I took on the challenge, blind, unknowing what’s ahead.  The path was already laid for me, I just needed the courage to walk alone, until others paused to see my vision, and together we joined hands, committed to sharing our gratitude and appreciation for our heroes in solidarity, remembering the impact of 9/11 and changing the narrative to a future of hope; recognizing those service men and women, who rise every day to keep our communities safe.

There’s no doubt these ladies have made a tremendous difference in the lives of so many. Through their Paws message of celebrating community wellness and healing after tragedy, is heartwarming, and their efforts have been heard, seen, and shared for 10 years.  Aydiee Vaughn has shown others unconditional love; she has been a light and genuinely cares, and not everyone will understand her intentions; however, her transparency, giving from her heart, and showing kindness to others can ignite a flame that will burn long after she is gone.  Through PAWS, she has received unexpected blessings, and she certainly appreciates her friend Mercy being by her side, as well as her small behind-the-scenes team. 

Aydiee Vaughn and Mercy, though obviously different, are both women of color, shining with brilliance.  These two have made it a point to encourage and uplift those around them, to help others live and walk in their purpose, to give abundantly, to love completely, which is the essence of humanity, and it is the pulse behind Paws for the Cause.  Aydiee Vaughn and the PAWS team are looking forward to taking this message back to its roots, to honor the NYC Firefighters in 2026, where the PAWS dream began.  If we say “In god we trust”, then let’s trust the process.

Nilly Smith & her dog Ranger, Karen Contreras, Gayle La Rone, Ann Bangs, Duane aka Bucky.

Bot R:  Aydiee Vaughn Dunson, Wyatt Martinez, Babette Shade and Mercy J. Alpert

Top L:  Station 75, Capt. Ming and firefighters, Aydiee Vaughn Dunson and Mercy J. Alpert, presenting the Prince Bailey “Mascot Crystal Award” 

BR:  Station 28 Capt. Konish and firefighters, r to l: Duane aka Bucky, Babette Shade, Nilly & Dog Ranger, Gayle La Rone & dog Gizmo, in the middle Aydiee Vaughn Dunson and Mercy J. Alpert.

BL: Station 107 Capt. Stiers and firefighters, R-L: Zondre Johnson, Diana Williams, Mahsa Hadjiahai, Nilly Smith, and go Ranger, Mercy J. Alpert, Gayle La Rone & her dog Gizmo, Aydiee Vaughn Dunson, Duane aka Bucky, Linette Aparicio, Karen Contreras, Ann Bangs

Since the passing of Aydiee Vaughn’s beloved dog, Prince Bailey, she and her team have established the “Prince Bailey Crystal Award,” which is presented to all Fire Stations during PAWS’ annual visits, with love, in memory of his therapy dog service in the community.