To find these stories, we will go through an extensive process in pre-production, drawing on trusted figures within the community of people living with HIV to meet individuals who might make for viable subjects.
The book When Dogs Heal provides three dozen excellent examples of who these people might be:
examples of characters who might appear in our film include a man who survived Katrina to only face sexual abuse, test positive, and then take in a dog who saved his life; a drug dealer who saved a dog from a dog fight, and whose connection allowed both of them to live healthier lives; and a woman who ran away with a dog while pregnant, and whose bond with her dog showed that she deserved to be loved as she became a mother for the first time.
Once we identify a number of these characters, as well as their very good dogs, we will set up local crews that can film with them on a regular basis, establishing a significant and continuous presence in their lives over the span of a year.
We will aim to present geographic variety as well as a variety of characters, choosing a number of widespread locations where we can safely film and document our subjects, including cities, small suburbs, and even rural alpaca farms run by the queer and transgender community. (Yes, one exists in Colorado: it’s called the Tenacious Unicorn Ranch.)
During that time, we will watch our characters face their diagnosis, bond with their new dog, and ultimately discover a fresh perspective on life, on themselves, and on their canine companions. While there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, including plenty of low points that our film will chronicle honestly and sensitively, it’s important to stress that this will be an inspirational story of resilience and triumph over adversity, in which our characters end the film in a much better place than they began — a pattern that is consistent across the stories featured in the book.
Plus, it will be filled with dogs. Lots and lots of dogs.
To provide an expert voice, we will also film with Dr. Garofalo over that time period. Dr. Garofalo is a hugely compelling on-screen presence who understands the experience our other characters will be going through, having not only worked with countless people living with HIV, but through living with HIV himself.
Dr. Garofalo has cared for multiple dogs in the decade since his diagnosis, and he knows firsthand how transformative of an impact a dog can have on a person’s life. His dog Fred, who he adopted after his diagnosis, was the original inspiration for this movement, and Fred’s recent death has sent Dr. Garofalo back on this journey anew — he’s just adopted a new dog, and is experiencing the creation of this bond all over again.
By filming with him over the course of the year, we will be able to draw on his professional knowledge to provide commentary on common aspects of living with HIV as well as scientific evidence for the real effect of dogs on human well-being. But beyond this, we will draw on Dr. Garofalo to illustrate how this remarkable journey continues well beyond the first year with a dog — extending through an entire life of companionship.
Tonally, we will seek to show the true range of experience, from the goofy joy of playing with a hyper-enthusiastic puppy to the inevitable moments of desperation and adversity that come with facing such a daunting challenge.
While outcomes for people with HIV have vastly improved, our characters will be facing life-and-death stakes, and many of them will inevitably deal with serious obstacles over the course of filming, from their daily situations to their physical and mental health.
Our goal is to not only make a great film, but also to raise awareness around the value of dog ownership for people living with HIV and further destigmatize HIV positivity for audiences. Overall, our film will achieve a hopeful and inspirational impact, telling the stories of HIV-positive people who are alive and thriving — people who have gone through the battle and come out the other side, accompanied by the dogs who were there with them every step of the way. These stories show the power of love, and how loving someone else can show you how to love yourself — and that’s what dogs do.
