john grobman: this is brandy, and brandy is an essential worker. johnny devenanzio: what kind of services does brandy provide? john grobman: well let's just start with the basics. [barking] sit. [upbeat music] johnny devenanzio: in my search for essential workers, it turns out that even service animals like brandy can get their start at yet another essential business like animal shelters. michelle sathe: hey johnny. welcome to best friends. well thanks for having me. at best friends, sheltering in place means a whole lot more to the people and animals affected by the pandemic. michelle sathe: best friends animal society is a national animal welfare organization and our goal is to make america no kill by 2025. and here in los angeles we partner with la animal services and we pull pets from their six city shelters. and they come here and go up for foster adoption. how have things changed now as opposed to pre-pandemic? michelle sathe: for shelter pets, covid's actually had been something of a silver lining. for example, when covid struck in mid-march