A Wayne County animal shelter got a big financial boost this summer thanks to an unusual donor raising funds in an unlikely way: An 8-year-old Southgate boy selling lemonade.

Henry Bryant sold over 22 gallons and 430 cups of lemonade on June 22 and received enough donations to cover the de-worming fees of at least seven dogs at the River Rouge Animal Shelter.

Henry started the lemonade fundraiser out of a love for animals.

“I love dogs,” Henry said.

This is Henry’s third summer putting on lemonade stands for animal shelters. In total, he has raised over $15,000 since he started when he was 6 years old.

Henry said the idea started after he heard about Moose, an abused dog in a shelter who required medical care.

“My mom told me about a dog in the shelter. She said, ‘Do you want to do a lemonade stand for it?’ and I said yeah,” Henry said.

Henry’s own dog, Pickles, benefited from Henry’s generosity. Earlier this year, Pickles had a medical emergency and ended up in the ICU for 11 days. The animal shelter community, inspired by Henry’s love for pets, raised over $10,000 for Pickle’s medical costs.

“Since Henry had helped so many dogs over the past two summers, the community rallied together and raised about $10,000 for us,” Shelley Bryant, Henry’s mom, said.

In honor of Pickles, the Bryants served a bright green drink called Pickle’s Punch during this summer’s sale in addition to lemonade and strawberry lemonade.

“I’m so proud. It’s all him, I just give him the platform,” Shelley Bryant said.

Several customers donated money in honor of their pets and dropped off photos, which Shelley Bryant said demonstrates how this event brings together the community.

“We are so happy to help these animals and we just want everyone to see that it does not matter your age or how big you are. You can do this in your own community,” Bryant said.

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Henry raised money for the shelter to cover the heart worm treatment, which is an expensive procedure. They hope that they will all be adopted.

Henry and his family plan to put on more lemonade stands later this summer.

Henry said he hopes to work with dogs as an adult.

“I want to be a veterinarian,” Henry said.