When 152 Dogs Are Found in Our Backyard: A Mental Health Perspective from Ogden
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Like many of you, I was shocked and heartbroken to learn about the 152 dogs found hoarded in a small home right here in Ogden. Stories like this can leave us feeling stunned, outraged, heartbroken—or all three at once.
As a longtime mental health professional and someone deeply connected to this community, I want to gently offer a broader lens: this story isn’t only about animals. It’s also about human suffering—often silent, often invisible.
Hoarding is a mental health condition, one that’s typically rooted in trauma, loss, and unmet emotional needs. For many, hoarding is an attempt to feel safe, to maintain control, or to create a sense of connection in a world that otherwise feels unpredictable and lonely.
Let me be clear—this does not excuse what happened. It’s not okay. The suffering those animals endured deserves our collective grief and righteous anger. But understanding the underlying mental health issues doesn’t mean we excuse the behavior. It means we expand the conversation.
It is hard to hold compassion and accountability at the same time. But we can. In fact, I believe we must. We can demand justice for the animals and recognize that the person responsible is likely unwell and in need of serious treatment—not just punishment.
To my fellow Ogden neighbors: please take care of your hearts. If this story stirred something inside you—grief, anger, helplessness—you’re not alone. These reactions are valid. They’re human. And if you or someone you love is struggling with mental health, please know that help is available. You don’t have to go it alone.
We heal in community.