When Kevin Johnson, 53, first walked into The Shepherd’s House about a year ago, the hard times he’d experienced had left him feeling broken, beat up and friendless.

But he had little idea that someone was waiting for him at the shelter.

Someone who didn’t care how he looked or where he had been. A friend who, no matter what, would always greet him with a wagging tail.

“It was a real comfort that she befriended me when I was going through a lot of tough things,” Johnson, 53, said. “When you’re feeling down, she’ll come sit by you and just look at you like, ‘Are you OK?’”

Chloe, an 8-year-old black Labrador who came to The Shepherd’s House last year after her owners could no longer care for her, has stolen the hearts of the 30 residents who call the shelter a temporary home. The Shepherd’s House, on Northeast Division Street in Bend, provides meals during the day to those in need, and about 30 beds at night for men with nowhere else to sleep.

The only female resident at the shelter, Chloe is described by staff as often knowing which residents need a friend the most.

“She’s truly a dog that is a rescue dog in the sense of loving everyone,” said staff member Georgiann Watson. “She just senses and knows when someone needs some care.”

Chloe is the first dog the shelter has ever had. The pooch lives there permanently, and sleeps in the shelter chapel.

“When I first came here, my own black Lab of 13 years had just died,” Johnson, who is the shelter’s kitchen manager, said. “Then, when I came here, not only did I find hope and friendship, but I saw my own dog in her.”

Johnson is one of three men at the shelter who are especially close to Chloe. Johnson, who goes by “Uncle Kevin” when it comes to Chloe, is responsible for giving the pooch her daily vitamins.

Chloe wasn’t always so comfortable at the shelter. When Watson first acquired her, the dog appeared to be terrified by her new surroundings.

“She was used to living with a family and being an outside dog,” Watson said. “Then she came here, and she was so petrified she hid in the back. But it wasn’t before a couple days that she became comfortable here.”

Watson said the shelter’s resident pooch is constantly doted on, something that became evident at her last check-up.

“I took her to the vet for her wellness shots not long ago, and they told me that she’s gaining weight,” Watson said. “I thought, surprise, surprise.”

People at the shelter are now only allowed to give her meat. Pizza crust, bread scraps, or any other type of food that might contribute to her weight gain is off limits these days.

Part of Chloe’s magic is that she offers residents something they often miss out on in their everyday lives.

“So many times, people who live on the street or in camps are never touched,” Watson said. “So for them to be able to feel that love back from a dog is huge. It’s a two-way street of emotion — she values everyone.”

“Most of us come in as broken people,” Johnson said. “But you pet her, and it’s just good for the soul.”