♪.

TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE EXPECTED TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE NEXT YEAR.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHY.

>>> ALSO TONIGHT, WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A SERVICE THAT CONNECTS SENIORS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

>>> AND A LOCAL DOG RESCUE TEAMS UP WITH ROCK STARS TO HELP DOGS FIND FOREVER HOMES.

THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."

.

TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

REPORTS SUGGEST THAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY MORE FOR HEALTH COVERAGE NEXT YEAR REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU GET YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE FROM AN EMPLOYER OR THROUGH A HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL THIS WE WELCOME DR.

SWAPNA REDDY FROM ASU'S COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WE TALK ABOUT TOUGH THINGS, TALKING ABOUT TOUGH THINGS HERE.

HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS EXPECTED TO RISE LIKE FOR EVERYONE NEXT YEAR?

>> WELL, MOST OF US ARE GOING TO SEE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN HOW MUCH WE PAY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE NEXT YEAR.

THIS IS GOING TO ABSOLUTELY AFFECT FOLKS THAT RECEIVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH EMPLOYER, WHICH, BY THE WAY IS MOST OF US, ABOUT 52% OF THE WHOLE POPULATION, 63% OF WORKING AGE FOLKS AND THOSE THAT RELY ON THE ACA MARKETPLACE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.

TED: I WANT TO GET TO THE ACA MARKETPLACE, THAT'S THE REASON THE GOVERNMENT IS SHUT DOWN.

A 9% INCREASE ON AVERAGE, THE HIGHEST IN A DECADE.

>> ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

EXPECTING A 9% INCREASE NATIONALLY ON AVERAGE, THE HIGHEST IN ABOUT A DECADE AND NOT REALLY A CONSISTENCY IN WHAT THOSE INCREASES ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THE INSURERS CONTRACT WITH EMPLOYERS, RIGHT, TO DETERMINE WHAT THE RATES LOOK LIKE, BUT WE'RE DEFINITELY EXPECTING A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN HOW MUCH PEOPLE PAY FOR THE PREMIUMS COMING UP.

TED: WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

>> COUPLE OF REASONS, AND WE HAVE TO GO BY WHAT THE INSURERS ARE SAYING, RIGHT?

THEY'RE DEFINITELY SAYING THERE ARE HIGHER COSTS OF CARE, HOSPITAL STAYS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, DOCTORS VISITS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, DRUG PRICES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE ESPECIALLY FOR SPECIALTY DRUGS AND HIGHER USE OF THINGS LIKE GLP-1, AND THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON HEALTH CARE AS WELL.

TED: THEY'RE FACTORING IN TARIFFS ALREADY, HUH?

>> THEY SURE ARE.

TED: HOW IS THAT FACTORED IN?

SUPPLY CHAIN?

SOME OF THE DRUGS?

>> ABSOLUTELY AS IT RELATES TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, RELATES TO DEVICES, RELATES TO IMPORTING ALL KINDS OF INSTRUMENTS, ALL KINDS OF DRUGS AND DEVICES THAT WE ACTUALLY DON'T THINK A WHOLE LOT ABOUT THAT WE'LL USE EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

TED: WANT TO GET BACK TO HIGHER LABOR COSTS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND HOW MUCH THAT FACTORS INTO THIS.

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S GRADUALLY INCREASING OR SOMETHING WE'RE SEEING A SPIKE IN?

>> DEFINITELY GRADUALLY INCREASING.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY SEEING A HIGH SPIKE.

WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION THAT HAS HIGHER HEALTH COST NEEDS.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING SHORTAGES IN THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE UP ARE IF THE SHORTAGES OFTEN WITH HAVING TO PAY FOLKS HIGHER TO STAY IN THEIR POSITIONS.

>> THAT'S THE LABOR COSTS AND AS FAR AS CHARGES FROM THE HOSPITALS AND FROM DOCTORS AND PROVIDERS, AGAIN, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO DO THIS OR GRADUALLY INCREASE?

>> GRADUALLY INCREASING.

THEY ARE ATTRIBUTING MUCH OF THAT TO INFLATION AND THE RISE OF INFLATION AS IT RELATES TO EVERYTHING IS NOT SKIPPING HEALTH CARE EITHER.

TED: MORE DEMAND FOR CARE BECAUSE OF THE AGING POPULATION AS YOU TALKED ABOUT.

>> YES.

TED: THE COSTLY NEW DRUGS.

OZEMPIC IS THAT ONE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GLP-1 DRUGS TO TREAT DIABETES AND AN EFFECTIVE DRUG FOR WEIGHT LOSS AND HIGHER NEED, FOR DEMAND, AND MORE FOLKS WANTED, THE PRICES ARE QUITE HIGH, THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE COST AND HOW IT'S PASSED DOWN TO CONSUMERS AS WELL.

TED: I WOULD IMAGINE A LARGER EMPLOYER MIGHT BE ABLE TO MAYBE MODIFY OR MITIGATE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A SMALLER EMPLOYER?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE.

GOING TO SEE FOUR DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE RISES IN PREMIUMS.

SO SOME EMPLOYERS MIGHT EAT THE COST, RIGHT?

MIGHT ABSORB THE COSTS.

WHO ARE THE FOLKS MOST LIKELY TO DO THAT?

LARGE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYERS THAT HAVE KIND OF SPECIFIC LABOR NEEDS.

THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE THEIR EMPLOYEES.

NUMBER TWO, WE MIGHT ACTUALLY SEE THOSE COSTS TRANSFER TO THE EMPLOYEE VIA HIGHER PREMIUMS.

NUMBER THREE, PREMIUMS MIGHT NOT CHANGE THAT MUCH BUT OUR DEDUCTIBLES MIGHT GO UP.

AND NUMBER FOUR, MIGHT SEE MORE NARROW NETWORKS.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING, ONE OF THOSE FOUR.

TED: OKAY, IF WE SEE ONE OF THOSE FOUR, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SEE IT?

START OF THE YEAR OR FROG IN THE WATER KIND OF THING?

>> MOST US ARE ENTERING ENROLLMENT PERIOD IN THE FALL, AND WE START NEW PLANS IN JANUARY.

IF THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THE PREMIUMS, IF THERE'S AN INCREASE IN THE DEDUCTIBLES, EXPECT TO SEE THOSE REAL SOON OR IF SOMEONE OR YOU IN YOUR FAMILY UTILIZES HEALTH CARE.

TED: LET'S GET TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

THE REASON THE SHUTDOWN IN WASHINGTON.

AS FAR AS THE EXPANDED TAX CREDITS ARE CONCERNED, IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, IF THOSE THINGS DON'T CONTINUE, WHAT KIND OF INCREASE ARE THESE FOLKS GOING TO SEE?

>> RIGHT.

SO REALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE.

THIS IS AN ENHANCED TAX CREDIT THAT THE PUBLIC WAS GIVEN THAT USES THE ACA MARKETPLACE IN 2021 REALLY AS A REACTION TO THE PANDEMIC TO MAKE HEALTH INSURANCE, TO MAKE THE MARKETPLACE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR FOLKS, ESPECIALLY FOLKS LOSING THEIR JOB, THAT WEREN'T ABLE TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE THAT NEEDED LOTS OF HEALTH CARE.

IT'S BEEN EXTENDED, IT'S SET TO END THIS YEAR.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION BY THE PRESIDENT OR THE ADMINISTRATION OR CONGRESS THAT THERE ARE ANY DEALS IN THE WORKS RIGHT NOW TO EXTEND THE ENHANCED TAX CREDITS.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

MEANS WE'RE ABOUT TO SEE ON AVERAGE ABOUT A 75% INCREASE IN PREMIUMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND UP TO 55% INCREASE IN RATES, AND THAT DIFFERS BY STATE.

TED: IS THERE A WAY TO GET AROUND THAT?

OBVIOUSLY, CONGRESS HAS TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS AND GET BACK TO WORK.

ONCE THEY GET BACK TO WORK, WITHOUT EXTENDING THE CREDITS WHICH REPUBLICANS ARE NOT WANTING TO DO, DEMOCRATS WANT TO EXTEND IT BUT WE HAVE AN IMPASSE HERE.

IS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE MIDDLE GROUND, WHAT DOES THE MIDDLE GROUND LOOK LIKE?

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO FIND -- FIRST OF ALL, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CONSUMERS TO BE SMART SHOPPERS IN THIS TIME PERIOD.

THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD STARTS ON NOVEMBER 1, ENDS JANUARY 15.

WE HAVE A TIME HERE FOR CONSUMERS TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT PLANS ARE AVAILABLE.

KNOW WHAT SERVICES THAT THEY NEED, RIGHT?

UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AVAILABLE, AND JUST BECAUSE A PLAN MIGHT OFFER REALLY CHEAP PREMIUMS, BE REALLY CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT THAT THE PREMIUMS MIGHT NOT GIVE YOU OR FAMILY MEMBERS THE COVERAGE THEY NEED.

HAVING TO BE EXTREMELY SAVVY KIND OF SHOPPERS AND CONSUMERS IS GOING TO BE STEP NUMBER ONE.

STEP NUMBER TWO, IN TERMS OF WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

WE'RE AT AN IMPASSE AND DON'T HAVE INDICATION THERE'S A MIDDLE GROUND OPTION.

TED: AND BEING A SMART SHOPPER ALSO APPLIES TO THE EMPLOYER PROVIDED SERVICES, TOO.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT DO I REALLY NEED THIS OR DO I NEED MORE OF THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

DON'T ASSUME JUST BECAUSE YOU HAD CERTAIN TYPES OF COVERAGE THAT A CERTAIN PHYSICIAN WAS COVERED BEFORE, CERTAIN DRUG WAS COVERED BEFORE THAT THAT AUTOMATICALLY ROLLS OVER.

WE'RE NOT IN THAT MOMENT RIGHT NOW.

YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR PLAN, MAKE SURE WHAT YOU NEED COVERED IS COVERED AND NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IN MOST CASES THERE ARE OPTIONS, RIGHT?

IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO DECIPHER THAT IN YOUR INSURANCE PLAN, I DON'T BLAME YOU, THEY'RE NOT THE EASIEST THINGS TO READ, PLEASE WORK WITH YOUR BENEFITS MANAGER, WORK WITH YOUR HR COUNSELOR AND THERE WILL BE PUBLIC OPTIONS TO FIGURE THAT OUT AS WELL.

TED: BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, IT'S A PLEASURE SPEAKING WITH YOU AND GETTING THIS INFORMATION.

DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THIS OR IS THIS A FRYING PAN IN THE FACE KIND OF MOMENT HERE?

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF ESPECIALLY HOW THIS WILL IMPACT EMPLOYER BASED HEALTH INSURANCE, BECAUSE WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH TO THE SHUTDOWN BEING RELATED TO THE ACA MARKET PLANS AND THE EXTENSION OF THE TAX CREDITS, IT'S AN UNDERDISCUSSED PROJECT THIS IS REALLY GOING TO HIT EMPLOYER BASED PLANS, AND A MAJORITY OF US, INCLUDING MYSELF, THAT'S HOW WE GET HEALTH INSURANCE, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO NOTICE IT UNTIL YOU SEE IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND THE DEDUCTIBLE IS SKY HIGH.

TED: WOW, DR.

SWAPNA REDDY, ASU COLLEGE OF HEALTH SOLUTIONS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

.

TED: GoGoGRANDPARENT IS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES RIDE SHARE AND OTHER SERVICES TO SENIORS, AND TONIGHT AS PART OF MONTHLY AARP SPONSORED SEGMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES IMPORTANT TO OLDER ADULTS IN ARIZONA, WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT GoGoGRANDPARENT.

JOINING US IS THE COMPANY'S FOUNDER AND CEO JUSTIN BOOGAARD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

TED: IT'S NOT GoGoGRANDPARENTS, IT'S GoGoGRANDPARENT.

>> IT WAS MADE FOR MY GRANDMA, WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY MADE, IT WAS NAMED GOGOGRANDMA, AND SOMEBODY SAID IT WAS LIMITED.

TED: TALK ABOUT HOW IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO BEING A COMPANY?

>> YEAH, I WAS LIVING WITH HER IN 2016, LIVING WITH HER FOR THREE YEARS.

I WAS GETTING READY TO MOVE OUT AND SHE WAS ASKING ABOUT TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS IN HER AREA.

UNFORTUNATELY, SHE WASN'T SUPER COMFORTABLE USING SMARTPHONES, SO SHE ASKED FOR UBER'S PHONE NUMBER, I SAID, WELL, GRANDMA, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD FIT FOR AND YOU THIS WAS OVER A DINNER, AND SHE SAID YOU SHOULD MAKE THAT.

IT WASN'T A YOU SHOULD DO THAT, IT WAS AN ADMONISHMENT.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING FOR THREE YEARS?

SHE SHARED IT WITH HER FRIENDS AND NOW WE HAVE ALMOST OVER 100,000 CLIENTS.

>> WOW.

SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITYS?

>> MEMORY IMPAIRMENTS, VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS, LIKE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT THAT HELPS WITH GROCERIES AND MEALS AND PRESCRIPTIONS, VISITATIONS.

TED: VISITING FRIENDS, THESE SORTS OF THINGS?

>> WE JOKE THAT HALF OF OUR CLIENTS TAKE US TO HOSPITALS AND THE OTHER HALF TAKE US TO HAIR SALONS.

TED: THERE IS GOGOGRANDMA.

YOU CAN HAVE THINGS DELIVERED AS WELL?

>> MEDICATIONS SAME DAY, OR WITHIN AN HOUR.

GROCERIES WITHIN A FEW HOURS.

HOT MEALS FROM HUNDREDS OF LOCAL RESTAURANTS NEAR THEM.

WE HAVE CLIENTS THAT ASK THEM TO PICK UP ITEMS THAT THEY MIGHT NEED FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE HOME.

IT'S MEANT TO BE 24/7 VIRTUAL CAREGIVER THAT CAN HELP WITH DIFFERENT ERRANDS.

>> NO NEED FOR SMARTPHONE OR APP?

>> GRANDMA'S ONE REQUIREMENT.

TED: HOW DOES IT WORK?

GRANDMA IS AT HOME AND NEEDS CHICKEN SOUP.

>> CALL THE NUMBER, 1-800-GO GO-USA.

PEOPLE HAVE A SPECIFIC CHICKEN SOUP IN MIND, A BRAND, A SIZE, WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

THEY CAN TELL US THOSE REQUIREMENTS OR THEY CAN SAY I WANT CHICKEN SOUP FROM RALPHS TONIGHT AND WE'D BE ABLE TO GET IT TONIGHT.

TED: RALPH'S, CALIFORNIA.

>> YOU CAUGHT ME.

GRANDMA IS IN L.A.

COUNTY.

TED: WE DON'T DO RALPH'S, BUT THAT'S FUN.

DOG WALKING?

>> GRANDMA'S GOT A DOG, HIS NAME IS TUCKER.

SHE LOVES HIM MORE THAN ME.

TED: WE HAVE A DOG COMING UP ON THE SHOW, LIZZO, GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN THIS AS WELL.

HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE.

IS THERE ACCOUNTABILITY, MONITOR AND MEASURE, MAKE SURE THE DRIVERS ARE OKAY.

MAKE SURE THE TRIP IS SUCCESSFUL, EVERYTHING IS ACHIEVEED?

>> THIS IS SO IMPORTANT.

AND DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IN THE BEGINNING.

WE WORK WITH ON-DEMAND SERVICES, UBER, LYFT, INSTACART, ET CETERA, RELIABILITY IS SO IMPORTANT, THERE ARE SOME TIMES YOU HAVE TO ASK THE DRIVER, HEY, CAN YOU BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT FOR THIS PERSON?

THEY'RE UNCOMFORTABLE TO DO THAT ON THEIR OWN?

BECAUSE WE'VE WORKED WITH SO MANY SERVICE PROVIDERS AT THIS POINT, MILLIONS OF THEM, WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD DATABASE WHERE WE CAN COMPARE, OKAY, THIS DRIVER ASSIGNED IS WILLING TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR THIS PERSON, LOAD UP THEIR WALKER OR FOLDABLE WHEELCHAIR, AND THAT HAPPENS EVERY TIME, 24/7, WHENEVER A CLIENT MAKES A REQUEST.

IT'S CRITICAL FOR BEING ABLE TO RELY ON THE SERVICE TO CONTINUE LIVING IN YOUR HOME INDEPENDENTLY.

TED: SO GoGoGRANDPARENT DOESN'T HAVE A GoGoGRANDPARENT DRIVER BUT HAVE YOU DRIVERS YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH, AND YOU KNOW THAT WILL ACCEPT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

OUR TEAM IS ABOUT 600 PEOPLE, AND WE MANAGE THESE DIFFERENT ON-DEMAND SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT WE ENCOUNTERED IN THE PAST BUT WE REPRESENT YOU, WE'RE YOUR ASSISTANT ABLE TO MANAGE THESE SERVICES ON YOUR BEHALF, SO EVERY TIME YOU REQUEST THEM, YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU ARE EXPECTING.

TED: THE GOAL IS INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR OLDER FOLKS, HUH?

>> YEAH.

CERTAINLY OUR CLIENTS LOVE US BECAUSE WE'RE ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE LONGER IN HOME INDEPENDENTLY BUT ALSO BEGUN WORKING WITH DIFFERENT CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

AS A SOCIETY, WE'RE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES RATHER THAN OCCUPYING SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, WE PAY FOR THAT IN OUR TAXES, AND IT'S A SOCIAL GOOD IF WE'RE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE LIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST FOR THEM BUT EVERYBODY.

TED: WHEN GRANDMA BROUGHT THIS UP, MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AN AH-HAH MOMENT BUT A LIGHTBULB FLICKERED THERE, DID YOU ENVISION THIS FROM THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

MY CO-FOUNDER DAVID LUNG AND I, WORKED TOGETHER FOR THREE YEARS ON DIFFERENT IDEAS, AND IT WAS HARD TO GET SOMEONE TO USE ONE OF THESE THINGS.

WHEN GRANDMA ADMONISHED TO MAKE THIS SORT OF THING, WE THOUGHT, WELL, IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, WE WERE MONTHS AWAY FROM RUNNING OUT OF RENT, SO WE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE.

IT MIGHT HELP GRANDMA, LET'S DO IT.

ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER, AND NINE YEARS LATER, IT'S PRETTY BIG.

TED: PRETTY BIG INDEED.

FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GoGoGRANDPARENT, IF GRANDPARENTS WANT TO LEARN MORE, WHERE DO YOU GO?

>> GoGoGRANDPARENT.COM AND THE NUMBER IS 855-GO GO-USA.

TED: GRANDMA DID WORK THERE.

>> YEP, GRANDMA BETTY.

STILL WITH US, 94.

TED: WISH HER WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: THANK YOU.

.

TED: ROCKSTAR CANINE RESCUE AND SANCTUARY HOUSES DOGS THAT ARE SAVED FROM EUTHANASIA AND LOCAL COUNTY SHELTERS AND TEAMS UP WITH WELL-KNOWN ROCK STARS TO HELP THE PUPS FIND THEIR FOREVER HOMES.

JOINING US IS JAMIE BENFIELD, DIRECTOR OF ROCKSTAR CANINE RESCUE AND SANCTUARY, AND ALSO WITH US IS LIZZO, AN ADOPTABLE DOG AND A ROCK STAR IN HER OWN RIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT, I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU, LIZZO.

THAT'S A GOOD DOG.

WE HAVE SOME CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW, JAMIE.

THIS DOG IS NICE AND BEHAVED AND A GOOD GIRL.

>> SHE IS A GOOD GIRL.

TED: YEAH.

OKAY.

ROCKSTAR CANINE RESCUE, DECOMPRESSION IS INVOLVED, ALL THINGS INVOLVED.

GIVE ME AN ELEVATOR PITCH WHAT THIS IS ABOUT?

>> WE ARE DECOMPRESSION AND REHABILITATION FACILITY.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS DOGS AT COUNTY SHELTERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE EUTHANIZED FOR SEVERE INJURIES AND ILLNESSES, WE'RE LIKE THAT HALFWAY HOUSE FOR THEM.

WE AREN'T A HOSPITAL OR A VET OFFICE, BUT WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO REHABILITATE THEM AND LET THEM DECOMPRESS FROM THEIR INJURY OR ILLNESS AND THEN READY THEM FOR A HOME.

TED: THIS IS 24/7 CARE, RIGHT?

>> 24/7.

TED: AS FAR AS THE KENNELS ARE CONCERNED, THERE ARE DECOMPRESSION KENNELS, IS THAT TRUE?

>> THERE IS.

OUR FACILITY DOESN'T HAVE THEM.

OUR THING IS WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY DOGS.

WE HAVE ABOUT ANYWHERE FROM 7 TO 15 AT A TIME.

SO IT'S SMALLER AND LESS NOISE, THEY'RE ABLE TO DECOMPRESS THERE.

TED: I KNOW ONE OF THE GOALS SEND OF CYCLE OF RETURNED.

WHAT IS THE CYCLE OF RETURNED?

>> THE CYCLE OF RETURNED IS UNFORTUNATELY WHAT A LOT OF DOGS GET STUCK IN.

THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DECOMPRESS, THEY IMMEDIATELY GET ADOPTED FROM COUNTY SHELTERS.

THEY HAVE BAD HABITS OR JUST HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED, WORKED WITH, AND SO PEOPLE IN GENERAL DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES AND RETURN THEM, AND THEN JUST PERPETUATES THIS CONSTANT CYCLE, THEY GET WORSE IN CARE AGAIN AND GET ADOPTED AND KEEPS GOING ON.

TED: FOR A DOG LIKE LIZZO, ALL WORKED UP ABOUT BEING HERE, TAKE HER IN AND YOU FIND OUT WHAT HER TENDENCIES AND BAD HABITS ARE AND SOFTEN THOSE A LITTLE BIT?

>> YES, WE WORK WITH ANY BAD HABITS THAT WE FIND.

THE ONLY THING WE NOTICED WITH HER, SHE DOESN'T LIKE DOGS HER SIZE OR BIGGER.

TED: INTERESTING.

>> WE NOW KNOW THAT AND DEFINITELY GO FOR A HOME THAT DOES NOT HAVE THAT, WHERE IF SHE HAS ADOPTED FROM A COUNTY SHELTER, THEY WOULDN'T KNOW THAT AND WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, SHE WOULD GET RETURNED FOR THAT.

TED: SHE ABSOLUTELY KNOWS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HER.

LOOK AT ME, I DEMAND YOU LOOK AT ME.

IT'S CALLED ROCKSTAR CANINE RESCUE, WHY THE NAME ROCKSTAR?

>> ORIGINALLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS COOL.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO YOU KNOW, I WANTED TO STAND OUT AS A RESCUE AND THEN, IT DAWNED ON ME ONE DAY WHEN SOMEONE ASKED ME, SO WHAT'S SO DIFFERENT ABOUT YOUR RESCUE?

AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

YEAH, I NEED TO STAND OUT.

WE'RE CALLED ROCKSTAR RESCUE, I REACHED OUT TO ROCK STARS AND THE VERY FIRST ROCK STAR THAT RESPONDED TO DO A PHOTO SHOOT WAS OZZY.

TED: SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY WE HAVE PHOTOS OF THE ROCK STARS, ANNE AND NANCY WILSON OF HEART, AND LOOK AT THEM, THERE THEY ARE, AND THE GOAL IS THEY DON'T NECESSARILY ADOPT THESE DOGS BUT TAKE A PHOTO WITH THEM TO HELP THE DOGS GET ADOPTED?

>> YES, WE ALSO SHOT WITH RUSH.

TED: YES.

>> AND WANTED TO ADOPT THAT DOG.

RUSH DOESN'T DO MEET-AND-GREETS TOO OFTEN AND EVERYONE WAS SURPRISED WE GOT THEM TO AGREE TO THAT, AND THAT DOG GOT ADOPTED RIGHT AWAY.

THAT IS THE WHOLE KEY, TO GET THE PUBLICITY OF MAKING THE DOG A ROCK STAR AND FINDING THEIR FANS THAT WOULD ADOPT THEM.

TED: STEVEN ADLER OF GUNS N' ROSES.

>> NO THAT'S TESLA.

TED: THAT'S A HAPPY DOG.

>> THAT DOG'S NAME IS CHILI.

TED: UH-HUH.

>> THERE IS GUNS N' ROSES.

TED: AND ALICE IN CHAINS.

THEY SAY YEAH, WE'LL TAKE A PHOTO WITH THESE DOGS, IF WE THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP GET THEM ADOPTED, GO FOR IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 15 YEARS AND GETTING ROCK STAR PHOTO SHOOTS FOR 13 YEARS AND ONE BAND TOLD US NO, IT WAS MOTLEY CRUE.

TED: MOTLEY CRUE?

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THOSE GUYS?

>> THEY JUST SAID NO.

TED: THINK TWICE ABOUT MOTLEY CRUE.

DOES IT HELP GET THE DOGS ADOPTED?

>> I THINK SO.

IT'S A NICHE IN THE INDUSTRY.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER RESCUES WERE DOING OR THEY KNOW OF ARE DOING STILL, AND I JUST THINK IT BROUGHT A WHOLE NEW GROUP OF PEOPLE.

A LOT OF ADOPTION EVENT US THAT ATTEND WITH DOGS.

THERE'S OTHER RESCUES THERE.

YOU'RE COMPETING.

ALL THE DOGS ARE COMPETING FOR A HOME.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ATTEND THESE EVENTS ALREADY HAVE DOGS, SO WHEN YOU GO TO A CONCERT, NOT EVERYONE HAS A DOG.

OPENS UP A NEW AREA FOR THEM.

TED: NEXT WEEK -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG -- YOU HAVE AN EVENT CALLED DOGTOBERFEST?

>> YES.

TED: WHAT IS DOGTOBERFEST?

>> ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PET FESTIVAL.

A BIG TO DO, PROBABLY 1500 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, A PET COSTUME CONTEST, AND SOME OF THE COSTUMES ARE CRAZY FOR THE DOGS AND WE HAVE PET PHOTOS WITH THE PUMPKIN KING AND ALL KINDS OF VENDORS.

TED: WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE DECOMPRESSION, I'M FASCINATED BY IT, BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT THING, YOU'RE RIGHT.

DOGS GO TO SHELTERS AND THINGS AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'VE BEEN OR WHAT THEY'VE SEEN, WHEN DO YOU KNOW THAT LIZZO, SHE'S READY, SHE'S READY FOR HER NEXT LIFE?

>> THEY TELL YOU.

TED: INTERESTING.

>> THEY START ACTING OUT A LITTLE BIT, AND YOU CAN TELL, OKAY, THEY'RE READY TO GO.

TED: THIS HAS BEEN NICE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT'S TIME TO GO.

>> IF YOU'VE BEEN TO A SHELTER THEY'RE CRAZY, ALL THE DOGS ARE BARKING AND DOGS ARE SCARED AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

THEY REALLY DO NEED THAT TIME TO DECOMPRESS, SETTLE IN, TAKE A BREATH, AND THEN THEIR PERSONALITY COMES OUT.

TED: GIVE ME A WAY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH YOU OR ROCKSTAR?

>> ROCKSTAR RESCUE.ORG.

TED: ROCKSTAR RESCUE.ORG.

JAMIE CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU WORK THERE AND NOT TAKE THEM ALL HOME.

I WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT.

LIZZO IS SHOWING HER REAR END TO ME NOW.

YOU'VE BEEN A GREAT GUEST.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

THERE SHE IS.

THAT'S A GOOD GIRL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

TED: AND THAT'S IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.