Lady Gaga's Dog Walker 'Humbly' Asks For Financial Support: 'I Felt Abandoned, Unsupported'

Lady Gaga's dog walker said he's struggling to stay financially afloat as he embarks on a journey toward spiritual healing, months after he was shot protecting the singer's pets.

Ryan Fischer was walking Gaga's French bulldogs Miss Asia, Koji and Gustav in Los Angeles in February when he was shot in the chest and two of the dogs were stolen. Fischer was rushed to hospital, where he underwent surgery, and the pooches were returned safely days later.

Six months later, Fischer has launched a GoFundMe page seeking $40,000, which he hopes to use toward the purchase of a new van and travel expenses as he drives across the country on a "process of growing from trauma."

On Monday, the former dog walker wrote that soon after leaving the hospital, he began traveling from Gaga's home in Los Angeles back to his native New York in a 1991 Ford Falcon rental. However, he said he recently had to say goodbye to his car "Trudy," which "drove like a boat in high wind."

"At times I was scared. I was lonely. I felt abandoned and unsupported," he wrote on his GoFundMe as well as at least two Instagram pages he runs. "I had long bouts of depression and doubt and self-pity. But those backroads that took me to desert campsites and Walmart parking lots and rest stops and friends and family to New York and back began to help me see why I had chosen to leave the security of the Hollywood Hills where I fought for my life and mobility."

Fischer said he hopes to get a van and continue to seek out communities that "support the process of growing from trauma" such as retreat centers, trauma programs, queer healers and spiritual leaders. He added that he realized he has to spend time "reclaiming my body" and has to be "equally devoted to strengthening my emotional and mental health."

Fischer went on to explain that he is just two months into his six-month recovery journey, but he is at an "obvious impasse" and thus decided to ask for financial help.

"With no vehicle, apartment and having run out of savings and surviving on donations from generous loved ones, I am humbly asking for your help," he continued. "This is not an easy thing to ask, but I have started to realize sharing your vulnerability with others is exactly when radical change begins to occur for everyone involved."

He concluded, "I love you, and thank you for all the ways you have supported me throughout; I truly can’t wait to see how the next step of this journey unfolds for us all."

Though the former dog walker did not mention Gaga by name in his note, some social media users wondered why he was asking for donations when his friend could have probably helped him financially.

"I’m STILL confused about why Lady Gaga’s dog walker has to start a Go Fund Me for $40,000 when she offered $500,000 for the return of her dogs. Rich people are weird," one person asked on Twitter.

"Lady Gaga offered $500,000 to find her missing dogs but is allowing her dog walker to set up a GoFundMe because he’s now homeless and still struggling with his trauma. I don’t expect much from rich people but they never fail to amaze me," another wrote.

The "Shallow" singer paid roughly $100,000 for Fischer's medical costs related to the shooting, Entertainment Weekly reported, citing an unnamed source.

After the incident, Gaga offered a $500,000 reward for the return of her dogs. She also praised Fischer's heroism in a statement, saying, "I continue to love you Ryan Fischer, you risked your life to fight for our family. You're forever a hero."

Gaga's two French bulldogs, Gustav and Koji, were returned just two days after they were stolen. In April, five people were arrested and charged related to the dognapping incident, including the 50-year-old woman who returned them.