tl;dr: a recovering addict working as a trainer for therapy animals
Born in Huntsville, Alabama the second of six children, from a young age she was overshadowed by her elder and younger sisters alike. As a shy girl, Holly wasn't concerned by the sometimes lack of attention she received from her parents. Content to develop her own sense of self sufficiency.
As a teen she found the limits of her approach, as school and other pressures became too great for her to handle, she began dabbling in uppers to elevate her mood. Though the short term successes seemed much more significant in Holly's perception. She was unaware of her family's growing concern.
Her sudden plummeting weight and distancing from her sisters only drew more attention as it prolonged. When 'confronted' via an intervention she experienced a much needed moment of catharsis only to then realize she had to resolve the matter and was at a loss for how to do so.
Her parents made alternative arrangements for the conclusion of Holly's high school career, hiring a tutor to educate her on a one to one basis. She was also 'encouraged' to attend therapy. After an initial hostility then reluctance, Holly did come around and found the latter course was effective also.
Upon graduation she accompanied her older sister in relocating to New York. While Dana attended college to study nursing, Holly got by through casual employment and sought her permanent role. Eager to prove herself as responsible and an improved person.
She would find her way to working with therapy animals by chance, a conversation with new friends had sparked her curiosity. Her own investigations then lead Holly to decide she'd found her calling.
As she'd been spared the additional effort of also attending addiction recovery meetings Holly was hopeful she could stave off the lingering urges to indulge purely with her will power. Failing that, she reminded herself of how she'd emotionally harmed her loved ones, with a younger sister who'd been born after the events, she was all the more determined to fulfil her role as a good sister.
Good fortune ensured that when Holly decided to depart, having fully established herself and wanting a place of her own, Dana wasn't alone for long as her sibling Mary-K soon arrived. They were seeking to pursue a legal career and though at times long hours were a challenge to their relationship with their sisters, Mary-K proved adept if unknowing at keeping Dana and Holly close despite the physical distance between the pair.
