Hobo’ s Story
Hobo came into Kelly’ s life when he was eight months old. He was scared, timid and unsure of people. Together, Kelly and Hobo worked through his fears for the next four years. Hobo found a love for people and people, especially children, loved him back.
At six years old, Hobo developed a cough. Upon a veterinary examination it was discovered that Hobo had an extremely enlarged heart. Less than a week later the duo took a two-hour drive for diagnostic testing, an expense of $ 3,000.
“ He was my‘ baby,’ still young and otherwise healthy, so I opted to go ahead with the testing despite not having the funds readily available,” Kelly admitted.
The testing revealed that Hobo was in the pre-stages of congestive heart failure.
Thanks to the necessary testing, Hobo was put on a treatment plan for the disease and was able to live out a full life over the next six and half years.
Through her own research, Kelly concluded that there were not many sources of help for pet owners in her situation. She knew other pet owners must be faced with the same dilemma when their pets are in need of emergency care that they just can’ t afford.
She wanted to change that.
To that end, Hobo’ s Healing Heart was founded in 2014.
The 501( c)( 3) organization, provides financial aid to pet owners who are facing emergency expenses for veterinary care such as diagnostic testing, urgent and emergency veterinary visits and when necessary, cremation costs.
Hobo’ s Healing Heart is based out of Spearfish and currently assists pet owners in Butte, Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade, and Pennington counties in South Dakota as well as Crook and Weston County, Wyo. with future plans to expand the coverage area.
The team fundraised for over a year before finally accepting their first application in May of 2015.
Since then, the organization has helped over 250 families and donated over $ 80,000 by either providing financial assistance for veterinary care or providing funds for cremation services to pet owners.
“ We don’ t want pets that can survive an emergency to be surrendered to our already overburdened shelter system because their families can’ t afford the emergency,” said Kelly.
Jenny Yackely of Smiles on Faces presents a check to the board members of Hobo’ s Healing Heart. Pictured from left, Diana Day, Kelly Harnett, Jenny Yackely, Crystal Hanson and Bobbi Aune. Photos courtesy of Hobo’ s Healing Hearts
12 Down Country Roads November / December 2026