Austin, TX / Palo Alto, CA – July 10th, 2026
Vlad Tenev, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Robinhood Markets, Inc., has adopted a sweet six-month-old Yellow Lab mix named Sunshine from Happy Hearts Dog Rescue, a volunteer-based non-profit organization in Austin, Texas. Tenev, who maintains one of his residences in the Austin area, selected Sunshine specifically as a companion for one of his children.
The adoption highlights Tenev’s commitment to family and giving back, as Sunshine — described by the rescue as a super sweet, very chill pup who is crate-trained, house-trained, and a perfect mix of playful energy and relaxed companionship — quickly won over the family. The young dog is known for her puppy zoomies followed by calm hangouts, and she gets along wonderfully with other dogs, cats, and children, making her an ideal addition to a busy household.
Announcement from Happy Hearts Dog Rescue on X (@happyheartsdog):
“Thrilled to share that our sweet Sunshine has found her perfect forever home with the Tenev family in Austin! This 6-month-old Lab mix is going to one of Vlad Tenev’s @vladtenev kids and will bring so much joy. Thank you for choosing rescue and giving her a loving life! #AdoptDontShop #HappyHeartsDogRescue”
Tenev shared with Robinhood staff that one of his children had spotted Sunshine online through the rescue’s posts and became completely obsessed with the adorable pup. The family’s decision to adopt followed naturally during their time at their Austin residence, turning an online discovery into a heartwarming family addition.“Sunshine is just fantastic,” said a representative from Happy Hearts Dog Rescue. “She’ll fit right in any home. She’s a nice and chill pup who loves to play with other dogs and is great with kids.”
About Vlad Tenev
Vladimir “Vlad” Tenev (born February 13, 1987, in Varna, Bulgaria) is a Bulgarian-American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder, Chairman, CEO, and President of Robinhood, the pioneering financial technology company he launched in 2013 with Baiju Bhatt to democratize access to investing for everyday people. Tenev immigrated to the United States at around age five when his family joined his father (a professor of economics) in Virginia after the fall of communism in Bulgaria. He earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Stanford University and an M.S. in Mathematics from UCLA, along with FINRA Series 3, 7, and 63 licenses. Before Robinhood, he co-founded two finance-related companies in New York. He also serves as Executive Chairman and co-founder of Harmonic, an AI company focused on advanced reasoning engines. Tenev is active on X as @vladtenev.
Tenev’s Family
Tenev lives primarily in the Bay Area of California with his wife, Celina Tenev (co-founder of Call9, an on-demand emergency health services company), and their three children. Public records note at least one daughter, Nora. The family maintains privacy regarding the children’s details, but the recent adoption of Sunshine underscores their love for animals and creating a warm, pet-friendly home environment — especially with one of the residences located in Austin, Texas.
About Happy Hearts Dog Rescue (@happyheartsdog) Happy Hearts Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-run, foster-home-based organization based in Austin, Texas. Its mission is to rescue dogs in need — particularly from high-kill shelters across the state of Texas — and place them into loving forever homes.
The rescue relies entirely on volunteers, foster families, donations, and community support to save dogs that might otherwise face euthanasia. It emphasizes that every dog deserves a happy home and focuses on mixed-breed dogs of all ages and backgrounds. Sunshine was one of the adoptable dogs featured on their “Meet Our Dogs” page and recently highlighted in local media as a friendly, well-adjusted young pup ready for family life.
Learn more or support their work at happyheartsdogrescue.org or follow
@happyheartsdog on Instagram.
This heartwarming adoption story comes as many families seek meaningful ways to connect and create lasting memories together.
Happy Hearts Dog Rescue continues its vital work of transforming the lives of dogs like Sunshine while educating the public on the rewards of rescue adoption.
Media Contacts:
For Robinhood: press@robinhood.com
For Happy Hearts Dog Rescue: happyheartsdogrescue@gmail.com
