On the last day of 2020, Niall Harbison was in a really tough spot. He had to go to a hospital in Thailand because he was dealing with serious problems from drinking too much alcohol.
At 41 years old, Harbison, who had moved from Ireland to the beautiful island of Koh Samui, was drinking four or more bottles of wine every day and taking three to four Valium pills to help with his depression and anxiety.
“It was a dark time,” Harbison says. “I had just ended a relationship, COVID was everywhere, and my days felt like they were all the same. I was stuck in a cycle of drinking that felt never-ending. My body couldn’t handle it anymore—I woke up one morning and knew I needed help. I was drinking whiskey, which wasn’t even my usual drink. My body just shut down, and I ended up in the ICU for a few days.”
A New Mission Takes Shape
In 2021, everything started to change for Harbison. After leaving the hospital, he faced the reality of his addiction but was determined to make a change. “It was brutal,” he admits. “But I promised myself in the hospital that if I got out, I was done with drinking.”
As Harbison was adjusting to his new life without alcohol, something unexpected happened. While he was jogging one day, he saw a skinny, hungry dog, which he named Lucky. Feeling moved by Lucky’s condition, Harbison stopped at a local 7-Eleven to buy some food for the dog.
Seeing Lucky’s grateful reaction gave him a new sense of purpose. “I felt good doing something positive,” Harbison recalls. “I knew Lucky needed more help, so I kept coming back.”
The Birth of Happy Doggo
What began with helping one dog soon grew into something much bigger. Harbison’s kind act of feeding Lucky turned into a mission to help more street dogs. He started sharing photos and videos on social media to spread the word about these animals.
In Thailand, there are about 8 million street dogs who struggle every day. “Their lives are incredibly tough,” Harbison explains. “They get some food, but they don’t receive the medical care that pets get at home.”
Harbison’s efforts quickly expanded. “I thought, ‘Why not hire someone locally to make the food? It would be cheaper and healthier.’”
This idea led to feeding around 800 dogs every day. As the project grew, they began to provide medical care and eventually created Happy Doggo, a charity dedicated to helping street dogs.
Expanding Horizons
Happy Doggo has a clear mission: to help street dogs in Thailand by providing them with spaying and neutering services, along with food and medical care. “We have teams all over Thailand working really hard,” Harbison says. “They catch the dogs, bring them in for medical procedures, and take care of them.”
Besides feeding and medical services, Happy Doggo also runs a sanctuary in Koh Samui for dogs with serious health issues, like broken bones or cancer.
They’re even building a hospital. “The sanctuary is like a paradise for the sickest dogs,” Harbison notes. “We’ve been able to find homes for 25 dogs this year alone.”
A Long-Term Vision
Harbison has big dreams. He wants to reduce the global street dog population from 500 million to 250 million. “It sounds crazy,” he admits. “But we’re currently performing 5,000 spay/neuter surgeries each month. This year alone, we’ll prevent 500,000 dogs from being born because of our efforts.”
He knows that reaching his goal will be a lifelong task. “I’m 44 now. If I stay healthy, maybe I have 30 years left. It won’t be easy, but it’s a mission worth dedicating my life to.”
A Reflective Journey
Harbison feels a deep connection with his work. “When I see these dogs, I see reflections of my own past struggles,” he says. “Some are broken and down, but with a chance, they bounce back. I feel lucky to be alive, and I see that same potential in them. It’s like taking a chain off myself, and I want to give them that same freedom.”
His journey from struggling with addiction to becoming a street dog advocate shows the power of redemption and finding a new purpose.
Through Happy Doggo, Harbison has not only transformed his own life but also made a big difference for countless street dogs in Thailand and beyond.
What inspires you to make positive changes in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this story with your family and friends. Let’s spread the word about the amazing work being done for Thailand’s street dogs!
