Lady had reached a point of complete emotional shutdown, having lost all hope in life, when the animal shelter sought assistance from The Asher House. This timid 6-month-old Australian Shepherd was so filled with fear that her previous foster caretakers were unable to provide any relief.
The dog’s anxiety was so severe that she would press herself against the wall, desperately seeking as much distance from people as possible. When the shelter contacted Lee Asher, they described the puppy as being in an “absolutely catatonic” state.
Asher understood that it would require time and patience, but he sensed that the pup yearned for help. In the initial days, he allowed her to decide on her own whether she wanted to come out of her crate. He hoped she would muster the courage to venture out and explore. However, even he was unprepared for the remarkable emotional transformation that unfolded over the following days. To his surprise, “Lady” emerged from her kennel the next day, defying her belief that anyone near her would cause harm. She gradually interacted with a few of Asher’s dogs and, within a few days, even joined her first pack walk!
After scouting the house and possibly gaining confidence from mingling with the other dogs, Lady became “way more courageous.” Her incredible journey, marked by her newfound bravery and integration with the pack, deeply impressed Lee Asher. He admitted that he would not have believed such a transformation was possible had he not witnessed it firsthand.