Finding our happy place: Together Through Homelessness  

Our Together Through Homelessness service supports owners experiencing homelessness. It provides free vet care, behaviour and training advice, and help with finding dog-friendly housing.  

A recent survey by the charity akt found that LGBTQ+ people are twice as likely to experience hidden homelessness (e.g. sofa surfing, squatting). It also found that fewer housing services cater to young LGBTQ+ people, making access to housing even harder.  

We spoke with two LGBTQ+ Together Through Homelessness clients about their experience on the scheme.  

Charles got Heidi when he was just twelve years old and starting to struggle with his mental health. Heidi was also struggling, having had a difficult start to life in her previous home. It took months to train her and gain her trust. But the two soon became inseparable, supporting each other through life’s challenges.   

Still living in his family home, Charles started a same-sex relationship. His stepdad didn’t approve. Feeling unsafe, Charles had no choice but to move out with Heidi, sleeping on various friends’ sofas.

The situation became even more stressful when Charles discovered a concerning lump on Heidi. With no permanent address and no way to pay for a vet, Charles found information about our service online and turned to us for help. We stepped in, and although Heidi was sadly diagnosed with a mammary tumour, we funded the vital treatment she needed.

Charles says, “Together Through Homelessness saved my life. Once I had Heidi’s cancer diagnosis, my mental health deteriorated significantly. The thought of losing Heidi was just too much for me. Knowing that Dogs Trust could help me help Heidi enabled me to get on top of things. This peace of mind also meant I was able to look after my housing. And I now have my own secure and permanent housing with Heidi. I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.”  

When Ethan got in touch with us, they were living in temporary accommodation with their dog Emma. An abusive relationship had left them with no choice but to escape their living situation.   

Emma was understandably anxious, and Ethan needed some support with her behaviour.  

We were able to offer Ethan free behaviour support, as well as vaccinations for Emma.  

Unwanted behaviours are often a barrier to finding temporary housing when you have a dog. Getting the right help proved vital in keeping Ethan and Emma together, with a roof over their heads.   

Ethan says, “Emma has always been there for me, helping to regulate me with my autism and ADHD. She also kept me safe when I was in an abusive relationship. Together Through Homelessness has helped us stay together. It’s given me the tools I need to be there for Emma, and helped get my life back on track.”