Dogs on the streets: how four-legged friends help the homeless

Meet Andy and his dog Bailey.
Living on the street can be a cold and chaotic life, but most of all a lonely one. Without a support network of family and friends, many choose to own a dog - for security and for companionship. Now a group of vets have started a registered practice to give treatment to street dogs and offer their owners vital, regular contact.
We have been out with the Street Vets, spending time with these unconventional dog owners and seeing the profound bond they have with their pets.
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[@Beautifulcoil]

Honestly some homeless people seem more "human" than some people I work with and have everything. This man has a lot of love in his heart.

[@TBOTSS]

He has a dog so he can beg for more money.

[@hannafinn1804]

I met Andy and Bailey today! What a lovely partnership ♥️

[@antayafairless9028]

Do you know how they are doing ?

[@ryan-de5wl]

No You didn't stop trolling to gain likes you're lying

[@oliviahayes5371]

Having another heartbeat that’s on your side... beautiful relationship

[@jackyblue67same10]

Olivia it would be if they had a home to give to the animal & not the cold hard street life.

[@TheMasterblaster32]

Jackyblue67 Same?

[@ruthieer4015]

Jackyblue67 Same a lot of people don’t want those dogs and they end up being euthanized. They’re abandoned dogs that these homeless take in their lives. At least they have food, love, and a sleeping bag.

[@hannafinn1804]

I met them today - they're off the streets ♥️

[@madeleine7411]

I admire Andy. He is a survivor and quite a guy. Bailey clearly gave Andy a reason to survive and stop using drugs.❤ I wish them both the best.

[@susandruce1064]

I'm not on the streets...but my dog saved my life ...getting old, feeble, lonely with disabilities, I was getting more and more depressed...and then Molly came along and turned my life around, she made me laugh, cry, love, have someone to care for, she brightened my days and still does... I actually get out of the house now, instead of staring out of the window, and she has given me something to live for..so I can understand how these people feel about there animals...they are often better cared for than some of our so-called animal lovers

[@stjavelin1593]

I cried with andys story. I know how much having a dog means to a homeless person. I lived in a forest in northern Michigan for a long time and at one point i gave up. Stopped eating and just wanted to disappear forever for lack of help and support.... my dog kept me alive by bringing me squirrels, rabbits, porcupines and turkeys.... literally forcing me to eat to live.. i felt my will come back and was able first to purchase a car to live in, then housing because i found a group of people who took a real interest in how i was living and wanted me to feel human again. Granted its not the greatest of areas to live in but were it not for my dog saving me from being mugged on Halloween night i might be dead and a felon still walking the streets. My dog bandit saved me and caught a fugitive from justice... dogs are life savers even if they never have to protect their pack leader, they love you unconditionally. I hope, no, i wish i could talk to andy on a regular basis and let him know hes not alone, invisible, or worthless... he is not without people who dont care. I am American, so yes things may be different here socially, but his story really compells me to reach out to him. God bless andy and bailey.

[@noeliaalonsogalluzzo3222]

Randle, you are worth, too. Thank you for sharing your story and hope you are doing well now. Greetings from Argentina

[@kenneth9343]

God blessed you.

[@hannafinn1804]

I met Andy and Bailey today - both well and off the streets ♥️

[@youtubeuser1432]

OH WELL. ITS JUST A DOG AND THERE JUST HOMELESS PEOPLE WHICH ARE DOGS ANYWAY

[@georgewilliamsiii4677]

Amazing story. Amazing dog.

[@Paddyllfixit]

Unless you've owned a dog,...you can never understand. The more time you spend with them the stronger the relationship, so of course homeless have a stronger bond. And Staff's have a wonderful temperament.

[@googlebarbaralernerspectre2581]

And they will protect you through anything.

[@lauriecobain9604]

The animals always look well cared for. During my homeless stint, i gave my cats to a friend. I was lucky he was willing, but they deserved better than where i was going, if it had of been a dog i may have taken it, it seems to do wonders. Homeless people deserve some love and joy after all. Dogs provide protection too, which all homeless are lacking.

[@barnbersonol]

I saw a thing on telly once about a lady who suffered horrific facial burns and everyone left her ..except her faithful dog.

[@charlesher.9508]

This dog is so beautiful.

[@lilacinsd]

I saw this on Facebook and cried, such a beautiful dog, they seem to be destined for one another.

[@antongrezman9393]

lilacinsd wonderful story😢😢

[@melissarosario6176]

lilacinsd me to so sweet

[@ainsleydavid9721]

Awwwwwwe me to he's such a cutie to

[@kirholstov]

Respect for the street vet

[@AmritaYoga]

this is just beautiful and touching beyond words- if every loving pitbull could be a friend to a homeless person they would not be euthanized so readily for non adoption- beautiful just beautiful

[@jocefjose6004]

I've seen Andy+Bailey story on fb a few months ago and Andy's words were sincere in a way that he finally made sense of life. It felt like he spent countless nights contemplating about his deeds in the past and sort things for him to keep Bailey. I cant even come into grips with my own life and purpose.

[@oldfan1963]

To think that we have left the homeless to the care of their dogs. I know I should feel uplifted but this simply breaks my heart.

[@TheMasterblaster32]

old fan yip no one cares about the invisible people... Until it happens to them then and only then do they see the other side of life.

[@patricianorman209]

Oh, dear GOD, LORD protect and bless ALL the homeless animals and human beings...Be blessed forever 🙏 ❤️

[@stefanclark4869]

That street vet is amazing too thank you

[@lindagallagher3711]

So lovely dogs bless them all ! So good the vets so help them. Bless them all

[@joelsonsabado9206]

that man has such a good heart

[@Bellg]

her walk as she was carrying the bag, so cute

[@gavinmcvey8177]

Dogs might not have a voice but the bond between animals and humans are amazing

[@genevieveyoung6072]

God bless Dogs

[@einat1622]

This is so precious !

[@CopyThisToday]

I met them both today. Top Dog, Top Bloke, Tight team. :)

[@williedaniel6194]

Man best friend your dog 🐕 ❤️

[@lisaadrienne9852]

Thanks for sharing this... **Bailey and his owner, hoping they are doing well & the woman as well...😔💕

[@joannajones8533]

Just such a wonderful human being Andy..he is So GRACIOUS and Grateful for his dog - i do wish he is Well!!! That they are both well! Such a Sensitive human being! I do hope he is well!!

[@ovo_tp9934]

Dogs will always have your back no matter u rich or poor

[@jeanettestefanisko5301]

I love that dog carrying its food Bailey God bless hope u find a home soon ty Jeanette NYC

[@RitchieRosson]

Wonderful reports. The huge growth in homelessness in this country is a disgrace.

[@tracieattword1725]

If I was homeless I take my cat with me. Cause his always been there for me. But I couldn't do that to him he deserves better. I'm glad these people have there dogs .

[@georgeargyris7834]

Good luck to both homeless and dog.

[@barrymantz6026]

I'm homeless in holland an there is no vet to take care of my 10 years old labrador dog. When I had a home and job she got the cancer in her eyelid and i could pay for it. Now it's back and I can't afford it. No home, no job, ... just the most lovely dog who needs help!

[@grazutissmith9647]

That's exactly why homeless people should not have pets l am sorry for your situation but why make your poor dog suffer???

[@helenarose580]

God bless them

[@williedaniel6194]

Love that British accent 👌 so Charles Dickens

[@charlotteb31]

so sweet x

[@dianeanderson6733]

Man's best fiend is his dog.

[@alexmontesinos3403]

Almost cried...

[@lindamerchant4431]

Homeless comfort dog

[@Bignuts_530]

God bless 🐶

[@tommyedge2111]

Shame on this government

[@karimloco7187]

God bless you Man

[@killerjoe3025]

Karim Loco fuck god what's he doing to help

[@micderinn]

How are homeless people’s dogs so well behaved

[@CJAMMEB]

After more than 15 years of addiction Some things just can’t be repaired, you don’t know just how much his family would have gone through within this time, how many chances he would of had, the broken trust and constant betrayal, the things some addicts do to get their next fix are disgusting. He was probably off his head and don’t remember half the stuff he’s done but the people he hurt will never forget !! bridges would have been burnt and I doubt he’d ever be welcomed by his family with open arms. Nice to see he has a genuine bond with his dog though let’s just hope he does something worthwhile for the rest of his life. looks like he is going to get tons of help now this has gone viral, good luck to him.

[@tk97898]

Lot to assume in your first paragraph over someone you don't know. It's very possible he's life wasn't easy growing up, and etc.

[@TheMasterblaster32]

Littlesmiths BCR really wtf.

[@janetpitchford5449]

🙏❤️🕯️

[@lunkis3233]

Love ❤️

[@EliteMonkeyVII]

Is that there a update on this?

[@jameskid81]

I was in a very similar position to Andy, i found myself homeless and on the streets after being on drugs for 10 years, my whole family gave up on me i was at my lowest ebb, theres no feeling quite like it when you feel like a piece of shit that no-one cares about it really is rock bottom, so when this female smelly mongrol crossbreed kept coming to me and following me for food at first i was like "no! go away" i cant even feed myself, let alone you. But every night she´d keep coming back and back and in the end i threw her a few scraps here and there and i started noticing how she´d growl at certain people if they came close to me, for the first time in years i felt cared about. Anyway over the next few months "Doris" as i´d informerly named her became a huge part of my life, we ended up kind of depending on each other, especially in the winter months as it became colder and food became scarcer, it was at this point i realised that "Doris" was the only thing i had, and i was the only thing she had and we were sticking together as a unit, survivng as one. Then one morning i woke up and i was horrified to see this great big black rottwieller standing over the back of Doris humping the shit out of her and the worst thing was she looked like she was really enjoying it, there was this kind of smile on her face with saliva dripping out of the edges, "NOOO!" i shouted, "whats going on Doris???!" and with that she just ran off, and to make matters worse the Rottweiller came over to me and cocked his leg and pissed all over my sleeping bag, needless to say i have never seen Doris again or that black bastard, but i wish them all the best, i just remember the good times.

[@jackyblue67same10]

James Kid I laughed til I cryed hahahahaha!!

[@animalsarebeautifulpeople3094]

I was sooo afraid that you were going to say the rottweiller attacked Doris... omg thank god you made the story into a happy (?) ending comedy at your expense... ^_^

[@iratepirate3896]

Well that was something.

[@zussman2568]

Any update to the two of them?? I just wanna know if they doin' good

[@ObamacareMishra]

they aren't called our best friend for no reason. you see this everywhere in the world not just in the UK

[@temirtaragay8932]

When you do not create any product or service and you have a dog. You are not harming dogs and people because you don't and can't work with dedication.

[@callmelegolas8274]

People saying homless people should not keep dogs because its animal cruelty are naive. There are countless of stray animals out there with no family.whats wrong with one loving a human in need of help. Yes, they may use it to capitalize and earn extra money, but at the end of the day they need the money to live and to take care of the dogs. As the vets even said in the vid some of these dogs are more well cared for than their owners.

[@TheSpade83]

Is there a group to make donations to this man and his dog or the organizations that help take care of his dog?

[@TARP..]

This is real I ended 5 real tenancys leaveing me homeless a s my plan before 21 and a half..I have clear image of everyone there's lots to forget tho actually that's 6 times REALLY

[@leogonzalez832]

Well some people find God as their savior these guy have their dogs...

[@noelsmithciaarethetopdeale578]

Doggy yes

[@noelsmithciaarethetopdeale578]

Street poeple are great

[@lukemaddisonmitchell4525]

Great story but the man who said he received the dog at 4 weeks old lol that's a bit too young the dog would die a dog cannot leave it's Mother until it is at least 8 weeks old

[@innootey6504]

I'm glad Bailey convinced him not to do it.

[@TARP..]

Yh I spent a year homeless for fun but can't any more but I'm still homeless every like 2 3 month honestly so I'll definantly have a dog do a 6 month minimum homeless shortly but actually abit secretly and I'll learn to drive that will be a year minimum ...just cause I really was homeless for a real year for fun went hospital 11 times but still longest time I stayed in a house for 4 months then lockdown 1 was 3 and that's in 3 years I've had 16 houses in 3 years

[@deschutesmaple4520]

A country that has so many homeless on the streets has fundamental problems providing for its own citizens. Reflects badly on the inhumanity of the UK.

[@vincentdeguard4726]

indeed...but we only notice them at Christmas/Winter or when there is a royal-wedding to host

[@diamondcookiecream2872]

I love my dog and i would never sell him for money even if its a Billion idc i will never sell it and i will never leave it on the streets

[@EmmaAmandaMilli]

Bless

[@josefk5659]

I agree Channel 4, these animals are oppressed and deserve the same wages as their two legged friends. Down with the patriarchy!

[@lindamerchant4431]

In panhandling for protection homeless will not!! Go in a shelter unless their best friend goes in too

[@taniajackson8496]

homeless ppl be taking care of dogs better than ppl with houses n money

[@grazutissmith9647]

Sorry totally disagree the dog is out in the cold the heat often hungry. And they definitely can't afford vets visit or surgery.

[@chris-hu7tm]

might be good for them but what about the dogs, same thing with dogs trapped in apartments or houses where the only way they can go out is with a leash

[@Lisenushka]

Anyone know or seen this man? we want to offer him job! Please contact me if you can find him

[@porthoel]

A couple of months ago I got chased by a dog whose owner was homeless and almost got bit the only thing that I worry about if a person with a dog that is homeless and doesn't have a job bites me why I'm trying to walk down the street cuz I have not a car going to the store or whatever how are they going to pay my bills if their dog bites me and I have to go to the hospital what are they going to do I honestly for the sake of the person who can't pay a bill because they have no money in case a dog bites someone think that it should be illegal for homeless people to have dogs how are they going to pay a hospital bill if it bites someone something to think about I personally would have been pretty screwed and the person who owned that dog wouldn't have been able to pay my hospital bill if that dog would have bit me it really should be illegal for homeless people to have dogs how are they going to pay the hospital bill a matter of fact how are they going to pay the bill if their dog gets sick for the vet it's not a good thing I honestly don't want to get bit by some homeless person's dog because it's being Territorial and I'm trying to walk to work or something

[@user-vu7rv1xf1l]

Dunno what country you are in, but this is England, we have the NHS, theres no hospital bill. If you are in the USA surely your own insurance would pay? They do get vets..... thats exactly whats in this video, vets going on to help these dogs, theres a weekly pop up service which is a vet in a van who goes to several location each week & the homeless bring their dogs for check ups, & they have the number for emergencies. These dogs are well loved & its all the owners have. If I get bitten by one (& I've only ever had licks & tail wags from them & I meet a lot) but IF i get bitten I have a free hospital to get treatment, & a warm bed on a house to return to, & if I need time off work, theres sick pay to cover food & bills. Its an unlikely event that wouldn't likely impact my life for long, to them its their entire life. If they were banned, police would be ripping their life lines & love out of their arms, & likely euthanizing them. It would be horrific.

[@porthoel]

@@user-vu7rv1xf1l it's not like that in America America's horrible if you're poor like I am and have learning disabilities and can't get a good job cuz I have a shity job true I have food stamps and section 8 which helps a little bit but not by much but I don't have any insurance because my crappy job if you're very book smart and you have a good job yes you can afford insurance but not when you're learning disabilities no one wants to hire you and you can barely get job at all in America they don't give to shits about you unless you're making a good amount of money what would happen to me is I would end up going to the hospital the hospital will bill me I wouldn't be able to pay the person who owns the dog would most likely go to jail anyways and then think God the dog would get euthanized which we really need to do that to every dog and make it illegal to own a pet why the poor person who doesn't have a job in any money is in there jail not being able to pay my hospital bills I'd be stuck with a debt that I possibly couldn't pay cuz any moment I could lose my job and become homeless myself but I wouldn't have a dog domesticated are not animals are dangerous and are unpredictable here in America some vet bills are like a thousand bucks or more it's not even worth keeping a pet if you are poor if I had an animal and it got sick I honestly couldn't go to a vet and pay $1,000 to get a leg fixed or some kind of whatever happens in America homeless person with a dog can be a very dangerous thing that guy's not going to be able to pay the hospital bills and unfortunately someone like me would be screwed when I was five years old a dog jumped up bit me in the face ripped my cheek open and I woke up in the middle of plastic surgery because I was happy to see the dog ran up to it smiling and said oboy a doggy bent down and bit my cheek open and I was four and a half five years old when that happened I woke up in the middle of plastic surgery that hurt luckily my mother paid for that because I was a kid but I couldn't pay for any hospital today it worries me all these homeless people in America with dogs and that's one of the reasons why I think it should be illegal for a homeless people to own a dog in America

[@basileusmegas7667]

you touched my heart but not my purse...

[@jaredholmes1915]

So this guy is homeless and drags his dog into it instead of finding a family to take him ( wow only 1 like ) 😳

[@grazutissmith9647]

Jared l could not agree more if l could give you a million thumbs up l would. They drag the dog around in all sorts of weather l am sure the dog often goes hungry. And what happens when the dog needs to see a vet or even possibly have surgery or long term care how are they going to pay for that. ???

[@jaredholmes1915]

@@grazutissmith9647 🙏 I agree with you 100 percent brother..

[@grazutissmith9647]

@@jaredholmes1915 Thankyou brother.

[@ashotofmercury]

@@grazutissmith9647 you obviously didn't watch the video!! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[@grazutissmith9647]

@@ashotofmercury So what in your wisdom did l miss exactly?!?!

[@jackyblue67same10]

This is nothing more than the homeless having these dogs to get money from people & it's also very selfish in them to not give them to some1 that could give them a good warm safe home .I really hate seeing homeless people with animals just breaks my heart for the animal is not fair to them at all .If u can't provide a home for them then u don't need them .

[@Zuap]

That is a very naive view... In my country you can find tons of abandoned cats and dgos on the street... When holiday time come in the Summer usually people abandon tons of animals. And there are tons of people that have animals in very poor conditions, in rural areas I can find a ton of examples. There is not such thing as a home that loves the dogs more, when we live in a society with tons of abandoned animals. There is nothing wrong with the homeless having a dog, because I bet they take more care of them than tons of people with fancy houses and tons of money. Maybe those dogs were living on the street before. I can understand this kind of bond, because they see themselfs in these dogs (and vice-versa, the dogs see trhemselfs in these humans): abandoned beings trying to survive on the street that no one care about.

[@jackyblue67same10]

Yeah guess ur rite & I'm wrong & I'm sorry for my comment .

[@Zuap]

Don't need to ask sorry for nothing, it's only perspectives. In truth I can't imagine the feeling and sadness that both humans and dogs must feel living alone like that in the world and in the cold, or what kind of broken lifes they must had to end hope giving up and living on the street. Never read someone asking sorry on youtube comments, people take opinions to serously like an atack, so hi5 for being humble and gentle xD

[@jackyblue67same10]

U so rite & have u ever been homeless like these people have ?

[@Zuap]

Luckily no, always had the luck of having a stable life and a job when I needed one (even tought in my country unemployment being very high). But know that life is hard and a lonely place, and it is very easy for life to break a man to the point of not enjoying it anymore. Sometimes only luck and people that love us separates us from those people living on the street. I always feel sad when I see them and wonder what kind of back-stories and broken hearts they have for ending living like that :/

[@G4NoChallenge]

If someone cannot provide a home for a dog, ie., these so called ''homeless'' people, the dogs should be taken from them as they are not being properly cared for and its animal cruelty - plus, almost all these dogs are only kept by the ''homeless'' to get sympathy while begging for money.

[@G4NoChallenge]

Lei P = LOL, dont know where you came from, but the UK is a civilised society that even has the RSPCA to protect animals and especially dogs from mistreatment, neglect and cruelty - ALL those so called ''homeless'' people each receive cash benefits from the UK social system [that is funded by working taxpayers] and if they choose to spend this on alcohol or drugs rather than food and clothes, thats their choice, but no one should feel sorry for them.

[@AmritaYoga]

if you watch the clip the vets say the animals are healthy- I work in reduce in the US and animals are killed every 8 seconds for non adoption- these are healing living relationships especially with kindhearted vets to serve them.

[@ByeXtianity]

There are thousands of dogs that get euthanised because they can't get adopted but you would like to snatch a dog from a loving relationship and force it into a home? I know a sad dog when I see one and Andy's dog is not one.

[@SaruKauri]

You didn't see the video did you?

[@brianhart1281]

I know this was 8 months ago but why did you say "these so called 'homeless' people"? What's "so called" about it? They don't have a home, that's pretty much the definition. Also, the vet said the dogs were very well-cared for overall. I would imagine that these dogs live happier lives getting to walk around, have a constant companion, be outside, etc. than dogs that are kept at home alone all day while their owners work. What a callow person you must be (as well as the people who upvoted your comment). Also, you seem to be ignoring the fact that in many cases these dogs were abandoned and would not be cared for at all if not for the homeless. To me, there is something very poignant about two living creatures who have been abandoned by society bonding and making the best of their situation together. I can't imagine being so cynical as to think they just want dogs so they can get more money begging.

[@ravenshireful]

Promoting victim culture and cultural marxism is not the answer.

[@antayafairless9028]

Does anyone have updates for all of them?? Did any of them find a place to live? Everyone's talking about Andy and Bailey but I want to know how they ALL are! ☺️☺️