Last year, the second season of SBS series Filthy Rich and Homeless invited five prominent Australians to partake in an eye-opening documentary series; giving up the comforts of their everyday lives to live on the streets with Australia's homeless people.
Author and journalist Benjamin Law was one of the show's participants - and the impact of the experience has stayed with him ever since.
Taking to social media over the weekend, Law shared a heartwarming update about his friend Lindsay, who he met while filming the program.
"If you watched SBS’s Filthy Rich & Homeless, you’ll remember my buddy Lindsay who spent most of his life without a home," Law tweeted.
"One of our main missions has been to get Lindsay a support animal, and today we completed the mission. SAY HELLO TO EX-POUND DOG BARRY, WHO IS A VERY GOOD BOY."
Speaking to SBS Life, Law revealed that while getting to know Lindsay on the show, it became clear that a support dog would enrich his quality of life.
"One of the things Lindsay and I have talked about was how he always grew up with dogs – they’ve kind of saved him and protected him throughout his life, in various ways," Law shared.
"And during the shoot of Filthy Rich and Homeless, I saw how well he worked with dogs: how they calmed him, and how responsive, affectionate and responsible he was around them, and how they loved him. We’ve stayed in touch after the shoot, and have tried twice to source a rescue dog."
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However, it wasn't easy-sailing, with the pair being knocked back twice.
"The first two times didn’t work. This time, we went to a pound in Blacktown and scored."
"Lindsay was a little disheartened for our first couple of failed attempts, but as soon as he saw Barry, he knew he was the dog for him," Law explained.
"He was the right size, the right temperament – and a pretty rare mix of a gentle but big, solid but young animal. And they loved each other from the first moment."
While the benefits Barry's companionship will have on Linday's day-to-day life are far-reaching, Law is mindful that he's fortunate - and many others in Lindsay's situation will go without.
"Lindsay’s one of the lucky ones," Law told SBS Life.
"He’s scored government housing in NSW. As we speak, there are currently 60,000 people on the waiting list for social housing in this state, plenty more sleeping rough, and many of them children."
And the future for Barry and Lindsay?
"It’s great, because Lindsay’s able to access free mindDog training, which means Barry will be a registered and official support animal," Law explained.
"The fact Barry’s still young enough to get trained easily - we taught him to sit within five minutes - is a really good sign."
Seasons 1 and 2 of Filthy Rich and Homeless are available to stream on
