The Buddy Fund

Buddy is IHARC’s 9-year-old outreach dog.

Before Buddy found his home, he was a rescue dog who spent time in three separate shelters over three years.

In a very real way, Buddy was homeless before he was home.

Now, Buddy helps IHARC connect with people who are experiencing homelessness, crisis, displacement, trauma, addiction, poverty, and isolation.

Over the years, Buddy has interacted with hundreds of people through outreach. He has comforted people during traumatic situations, helped lower tension in difficult moments, and brought smiles to people who were having some of the hardest days of their lives.

Why Buddy Matters

Sometimes outreach starts with a conversation.

Sometimes it starts with food, socks, coffee, or a safe ride.

And sometimes it starts with Buddy.

Buddy does not ask questions. He does not judge. He does not need someone to explain their whole life story before offering comfort. He just shows up with us.

For people who have been ignored, judged, displaced, criminalized, or pushed from one system to another, that kind of simple connection can matter more than people realize.

Sometimes Buddy does what no form, referral, or agency process can do.

He helps people feel safe enough to talk.

Buddy’s Recent Health Scare

Recently, Buddy needed veterinary care after a large tumor was found.

A biopsy was completed, and thankfully, the results came back negative.

It was not cancerous.

That was a huge relief.

But his care still came with significant veterinary costs, and it made something very clear:

Buddy is not just a dog. He has become part of IHARC’s outreach work.

The practical, compassionate side of that work needs support too.

That is why we created The Buddy Fund.