“A pet's love can truly change lives!”

When Stephen Knight agreed to take in a friend's dog, it changed both their lives—inspiring him to found Dogs Matter, a nonprofit that has helped thousands of pets while their owners seek addiction treatment

- Kellie B. Gormly

Please! I have no other place to take her,” Stephen Knight's friend pleaded as she sobbed outside his front door holding her small dog, Jade, in her arms.

Stephen had been sober for eight months and was striving to better himself and avoid relapse.

The desperate woman was heading to rehab to change her own life, but the facility didn’t take dogs.

Stephen looked into the young dachshund-Maltese mix’s eyes and felt an instant soul connection. His heart stirred, and he knew he had to help them both.

I remember what it felt like when I was at my lowest. I have to take Jade in, Stephen realized, as his heart went out to the many people who choose not to get treatment for fear of losing their pet. That's the only relationship some of them have. I understand why they don't want to surrender them to a shelter.

He took Jade in as a foster, and later ended up fully adopting her. During his own daily struggle to stay sober, the dog gave him a reason to keep going. He had to get up every morning to feed and walk Jade, giving him a sense of purpose and motivation.

Stephen soon started wondering how many others struggling with addiction faced the same heartbreaking situation. I want to help them and their owners.

Four-legged family