A Good Shepherd Story

This is the first in a series of posts about Good Shepherd's work in our community.

**Names and some details have been changed to protect individual privacy**

Tim wasn't always unhoused, but his life changed. Like most unhoused, Tim deals with a mixture of mental health issues, sometimes compounded by self-medicating. Tim also has a dog. This dog means the world to Tim. Tim cares for the dog, and in exchange, the dog provides Tim with security and comfort. The dog helps Tim cope with anxiety around people and is a keystone to Tim's stability. Good Shepherd has worked with Tim over the last year, providing him food and ensuring his dog could get a vet check-up (she's in excellent health). Some may object to the unhoused having pets, but Tim's dog was as well (or better) cared for than many in homes.

Tim had the opportunity to move into housing. However, the housing complex did not allow pets, and Tim would rather remain unhoused than give up his dog. There was an option, though. If Tim could get a letter declaring his dog an Emotional Support Animal, he could move in with her. Unfortunately, Tim did not have a current mental health provider who would furnish him with the letter. Good Shepherd is not a mental health agency and cannot issue the letters either. Still, we worked with Tim to connect him with a mental health provider who could authorize his dog as an Emotional Support Animal. This enabled Tim and his pet to get off the street and into a home.

Good Shepherd exists to serve the pets and people of Carroll County. Sometimes that means big projects, like clinics and food support. Other times it means taking the time and effort to help a single person or animal. We are honored to be able to save and change lives every day, and we can do so thanks to your support.