Homeless woman asked a neighbor if she could take a shower. What followed restored her faith in humanity

Erica Loring had no reason to expect the woman standing outside her San Diego home would be anything more than a passing stranger. All she was asking for was a place to shower, and while most people would’ve turned away or closed the door, Loring let her in. The endeavor lasted 20 minutes, but what followed was a reflection that stayed with her much longer. The story was shared through her dog's Instagram account, Scooty and Wyatt (@super_scooty).

"This unhoused woman begged me for a shower while walking by. She seemed really nice and just down on her luck," Loring wrote in the video overlay. While she recognized that the decision carried risks, she made it clear that it wasn’t made alone. "I don’t recommend everyone do this, we had 3 people home at the time." She also shared that the "woman seemed really sweet, totally with it, just struggling to get some basic things." Inside, Loring and her partner Sam did more than just give the woman space to clean up. "All she asked for was a shower. Sam and I provided her with some new clothes, extra socks, and a bra," she explained. Overjoyed, the homeless woman said, 'Thanks for trusting me,' revealing a more deep-rooted sense of prejudice most people display towards her kind.

Before leaving, the woman turned to say, "You restored my faith in humanity." In her caption, Loring reflected on the moment and how it fit into a broader reality. "People are unhoused for various reasons in this life. Lord knows I’ve had more than my fair share of negative run-ins with the homeless population here in San Diego, but so many of them are extremely kind and helpful," she explained. She also used the post to speak about how belief doesn’t always align with behavior. "While I do not practice any sort of religion... I do practice some of the basic fundamentals in life, like treating others how you would like to be treated, helping others in need, loving and respecting your neighbor, whether that’s literally or figuratively — and that goes for those across borders," she wrote.

Speaking on the struggles of the homeless as part of Project SUDS (Serving Up Dignity with Showers), researcher Kati Moran discussed the lack of privacy in public facilities and how it hinders hygiene among low-income groups. "Not everyone really likes getting showers like that... I know I wouldn’t, and if I were homeless then I wouldn’t like it then either." Researcher Becca Walmer says, "One man mentioned that sometimes he takes his personal belongs and puts them in a trash bag, and actually takes them into the shower with him to avoid getting them stolen.” These significant challenges deny any chance of class mobility for minorities, ensuring a systemic denial of basic living amenities. 

The video received strong responses from people who appreciated the gesture and her message. @forgetthecolorofmyeyes commented, "Totally agree with what you said! Also, it’s always great to help if you can, but your safety is top priority, so I’m glad you weren’t home alone." @henry_and_elroy said, "I really needed to see this today. The Golden Rule is more important than any religion. Thank you to you, Sam, and Roommate Rob for being awesome humans who care for all creatures." @selainexooo added, "She passed the vibe check with the dogs. I bet she walked out of there feeling like a million dollars." @christinetem33 shared, "The fact that she said, 'thank you for trusting me.' That undid me. Thank you for showing her kindness and compassion. You never know what a difference it could have made by that simple act." You can watch the full video here!

You can follow Scooty and Wyatt (@super_scooty) for more of Loring's dog content.