Meet Gunner: From Stray to Star

If you’re from Plainfield, Indiana, you might remember the chatter—the sightings of a lone German Shepherd, darting through town, always just out of reach. People wondered where he had come from, why no one claimed him, and how he was surviving the bitter cold nights all on his own.

The truth was heartbreaking. Gunner had been dumped, abandoned by the only family he had ever known. When they were contacted, they made it clear: they didn’t want him back.

And so, for weeks, Gunner roamed. He braved freezing temperatures, survived on whatever scraps he could find, and faced the world alone—cold, hungry, and terrified.

But Gunner’s story didn’t end there.

The incredible team at the Hendricks County Animal Shelter refused to give up on him. With patience, dedication, and endless determination, their staff and volunteers tracked him, gained his trust, and finally brought him to safety.

That’s when everything changed.

Gunner, once fearful and unsure, made a choice: to give humans another chance. And in return, he found something he never knew he needed—a purpose.

Now, this once-lost Shepherd lives to work. His huge, goofy personality has made him a joy to train, and his unstoppable drive proves that he was meant for something bigger all along.

Today, Gunner proudly serves with the Greencastle Police Department as a certified K9 in narcotics detection, tracking, and article searches.

From unwanted to unstoppable, Gunner has left his past behind. We couldn’t be prouder of this incredible boy!