The Underdogs was created to address a critical and often overlooked gap in both human services and animal welfare: the forced separation of people in crisis from the animals who provide stability, purpose, and emotional grounding during their most vulnerable moments.
Through years of firsthand observation and service, it became clear that many individuals facing homelessness, addiction recovery, trauma, grief, disability, or crisis are required to relinquish their animals in order to access housing, treatment, or safety. At the same time, senior, hospice, and behaviorally complex animals—often labeled “unadoptable”—are excluded from traditional adoption pathways despite their extraordinary capacity to give and receive connection.
The Underdogs was founded on the belief that healing outcomes improve when these two populations are supported together rather than separated.
Our model recognizes the human–animal bond as a stabilizing, evidence-informed force that promotes emotional regulation, responsibility, routine, and long-term recovery. By integrating permanent animal companionship with housing, employment, education, and counseling, The Underdogs creates a holistic pathway out of crisis that prioritizes dignity, sustainability, and lasting impact.
Central to this vision is the development of Underdog Villages—small, intentionally designed neighborhoods of 6–10 tiny homes supported by a shared community center. Each village provides:
- Stable housing paired with animal companionship
- On-site employment and vocational training
- Access to counseling, recovery support, and education
- Lifelong sanctuary for senior, hospice, and otherwise marginalized animals
Animals within The Underdogs program are not temporary therapeutic tools; they are permanent residents whose presence creates mutual accountability, emotional connection, and purpose. This reciprocal relationship benefits both human and animal participants while reducing long-term strain on shelters, emergency services, and crisis-response systems.
The Underdogs is the nonprofit arm of Dog Heaven, with 80% of merchandise revenue from Dog Heaven LLC reinvested directly into Underdogs programs, creating a sustainable funding stream alongside grants, sponsorships, and philanthropic contributions.
This organization was founded not as a short-term intervention, but as a scalable, community-based solution designed to address systemic gaps in care. With strategic funding and partnership, Underdog Villages can be replicated to serve diverse populations while preserving the integrity of the model.
We invite funders and partners to join us in advancing a compassionate, cost-effective approach to healing—one that recognizes connection, stability, and belonging as essential components of recovery.
Founder, The Underdogs