Henny Hardy’s journey began with a leap of faith. Leaving behind her life in England as a nursery school teacher, trained actor from Drama Studio London, and self-published children’s author, she moved alone to the Yucatán, Mexico—without a plan, without speaking the language, and without knowing what would come next. What she did have was a dream.
Guided by instinct and compassion, Henny bought a small piece of land and slowly began building not just a home, but a sanctuary. Along the way, she found herself rescuing dog after dog, cat after cat—each one needing safety, comfort, and love. With urgency, grit, and countless lessons learned, she transformed her space into a peaceful garden where her growing family of animals could live together in harmony.
What began as simple stories inspired by the dogs she rescued soon grew into Frida & Friends—a creative, heart-centered world brought to life with the help of kindred spirits who share her vision.
Today, Frida & Friends is both a real-life animal refuge and an imaginative storytelling platform for children’s books—with the hope of expanding into a full book series and a television series in the future.
At the heart of Henny’s mission is her passion for nurturing children’s emotional well-being—something she believes traditional education often overlooks. Through stories, animals, and community connection, she hopes to inspire a generation to think deeply about how we treat one another and the animals who share our world. How can we embrace differences? How can we stop overlooking the “misfits”—the street dogs, for example—and instead create a world where everyone belongs? How can we learn to live in harmony without needing to decide who is right or wrong?
The most important goal now is raising awareness and funds so the Frida & Friends Foundation can continue spaying and neutering dogs in Seyé and beyond—a Mayan town whose values reflect the kindness and simplicity Henny strives to live by. Many people in smaller communities love their pets deeply but lack the financial resources, understanding, or accessible veterinary services they need.
Together, we can support the community, protect the animals, learn from one another, and help create a better world—one paw at a time.
