CaspianCares

Hi, my name is Shaghayegh Chris Rostampour (I go by Shae or Chris), and I recently rescued a dog named Caspian. His story is heartbreaking—but hopefully, it will also be inspiring.

Caspian was found as a stray and spent months in a shelter. Unfortunately, shelters often lack the resources to properly care for energetic dogs like him, leading to frustration and anxiety from confinement. He was adopted multiple times but returned each time due to the challenges of handling him. While I don’t know his full history, it’s clear he carries deep emotional and behavioral wounds. But I truly believe that with patience, dedication, and the right care, he can heal.

Caspian and I have already built an incredible bond. Every day, we walk and run miles together in the cold to build his confidence. But he struggles with digestive issues, separation anxiety, and adjusting to a stable schedule. Right now, he can't be left alone, making it difficult for me to manage work and responsibilities.

I adopted Caspian as a step toward my own healing. Coming from an unsafe home, I was advised to seek a service dog and help with PTSD, and other disabilities. I couldn’t afford spending $10,000 on a trained service animal, and even with that there were long waiting lists, so I chose to rescue Caspian so we could heal together. His profile said he likes to stay close, and that’s what I needed. I figured: we could heal together. He’s already my emotional support animal (ESA), but training him to be my service companion requires time, patience, and financial resources I don't have alone.

I'm an activist and work at a nonprofit. I love what I do, but we recently had pay cuts on our healthcare, and I’m required to be in the office several days a week. Since Caspian can't be left alone and isn’t yet certified to come with me, I’m spending a large portion of my daily earnings on his care. Balancing this with training costs, daycare, as well as both of our healthcare has become overwhelming.

But as someone thousands of miles from my home country and the Caspian Sea, I know what it’s like to be without stability—and I refuse to let Caspian go back to the shelter. This fundraiser will help cover specialized training, daycare (for office days), and resources to help him overcome his fears.

With your support, Caspian won’t just be rescued—he’ll become a rescuer. We’re even doing a 50-mile walk to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in 2025. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. We will donate 5% of contributions to our fundraiser for the AFSP.

Thank you for helping us on this journey.

With gratitude,

Shae & Caspian