PHOENIX — After spending 3 years living happily in her home, Lana the four-year-old Bullmastiff-mix found herself back where her life began — at the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA. She is more than devastated.
It has been four months since Lana arrived back at the shelter and she has been having the hardest time trying to adjust.
Whitney Steele, director of volunteers and events at the shelter, took notice to Lana and decided she needed to do something about it.
For 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Steele has been living with Lana in her kennel. She plans on staying there until Lana finds her new home.
Steele is so dedicated to the cause that she is even sleeping on a dog bed instead of a cot.
“They have really bonded and are going through all those fun roommate situations: who ate the last slice of pizza, who stole the pillow, and what to watch on Netflix,” Michael Morefield, marketing and communications manager at the Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA, told The Dodo.
“Whitney is learning a lot about what Lana goes through every day, and even though we have an amazing facility, it’s not a comfortable, loving home.”
To help Steele feel a little more comfortable, local businesses and friends have been dropping of food.
READ MORE: PHOENIX ATTORNEY ADVOCATES FOR DOGS WHO ARE JUDGED TOO HARSHLY

Lana is a loving and loyal dog who loves hiking and playing with volunteers. She is the perfect family dog and Steele is going to make sure that her forever family arrives soon.
“Everyone needs a hype man every once in awhile,” Morefield says.
“And if Lana is too humble to tell people how great she is, we are going to do it for her!”
Good News!
After Whitney’s sit-in, Lana has found her forever home! But there are still many cats and dogs like Lana looking for homes. You can call the Arizona Animal Welfare League SPCA at 602-273-6852 ext. 116 to learn more!
Via The Dodo | AOL | Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA | AAWL Facebook
You are awesome young lady. The episode needs more Whitney’s. Thank you.
An always rescue dog mom.
Not episode, the WORLD needs more Whitney’s.
THIS is a wonderful adoption, TOO BAD EVERY SHELTER DOG CANNOT HAVE THIS SAME ATTENTION AND ADOPTION
Um… I’m in love with dogs & am a psychiatrist…. but this is not normal, or healthy for the pet. Let alone the human…. isn’t there a mental health professional around? This screams mental health issues for the human. Dogs need boundaries just like people. Would we think it was cute if a grown adult insisted on living WITH a baby in their crib? No. We’d be worried that they were a pedophile. Living in kennels with dogs is inappropriate for both species. If this person was a male, we’d be worried about this 10x more. No living in the kennels with dogs should definitely be a house rule. You’re actually harming the dogs ability to develop in a healthy way.
Sorry Dr. Rob, but most of the world sees nothing wrong with sleeping with a baby. In fact, for most of the world that’s absolutely normal. I would suggest you keep your subconscious fears to yourself and not project them onto other people.
As a psychiatrist, perhaps you see too much mental illness where there is none. Who makes the rules? Who decides what is illness and what is compassion? This story worked out perfectly fine. I find too many counselors and mental health professionals see too many things that are not there.
Awesome how does she survive in there