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Rescuing dogs with special needs -- behavior, socialization, training and medical issues -- is the specialty of Found Chicago on the Northwest Side.

"We tend to take dogs that others won't take, dogs that have just been misguided or have significant medical and behavioral issues," said Michael Heltzer of Found Chicago.

"Some of the dogs come from foster homes or from an overflow at Chicago Animal Care and Control. We provide these dogs with full rehabilitation service, medical care and behavior training. Then, we try to find them homes."

Found Chicago is based out of Stay, one of the city's largest and most posh dog hotel/daycare/ training facility.

While the rescued dogs are being helped and await a home, they use Stay's amenities. The 30,000-square-foot facility has a custom-built lap pool for dogs.

There's also 2,000 square feet of daycare play space, a large fitness area, grooming salon and retail boutique. The hotel component has 110 fancy dog suites and runs.

Heltzer, the owner of Stay, began rescuing dogs with special needs about four years ago when he opened the upscale dog hotel in an old boatyard building along the Chicago River at 4130 N. Rockwell.

Last year, Heltzer made his rescue efforts official and created the nonprofit Found Chicago. Since 2006, Heltzer has rescued, rehabilitated and re-homed nearly 100 dogs. He has personally adopted seven rescue dogs.

"We take dogs that are less adoptable to most people and take these dogs in and get them through behavior training and address medical needs to make the investment to have them become adoptable," said Alicia Boemi, executive director of Found Chicago.

Found has more than 150 volunteers and is working with seven dogs, said Boemi.

"Two of the dogs are in intense rehab programs and are available to very select and special homes. The other five are ready for their forever homes."

Up for adoption is 9-year-old Daisy, a greyhound and shepherd mix.

"Daisy was found as a stray by a volunteer from an area shelter. No one could find her owners," Boemi said.

"The volunteer who found Daisy was informed by the Chicago shelter that Daisy was in that she would most likely be put down because of her 'lack of adoptability' due to her older age. The volunteer panicked. She didn't want Daisy to be euthanized because she was so easygoing, loved people and hardly showed signs of her older age. The volunteer called Found and we took her in," Boemi said.

Another dog Found Chicago is helping is 2-year-old Jackson, a Bernese mountain dog and rottweiler mix. Found rescued him from Chicago Animal Care and Control, where he was slated to be destroyed.

When Jackson arrived at Found, he was very skinny. His fur was matted, covered in urine and feces. Boemi said there are signs that Jackson was starved and abused, plus after being in a kennel for five months, Jackson needs some extra help.

A Found trainer is diligently working to rehabilitate Jackson through socializing, exercise and training. But, for now, he's not ready for adoption.

Meanwhile, because Found operates out of Stay, there is only enough space to help about 10 rescued dogs at a time. However, Heltzer has plans under way to expand Stay and Found Chicago by rehabbing an adjacent 20,000-square-foot building at 4100 N. Rockwell.

When complete next year, more than 10,000 square feet of space will be set aside for Found's new Rehabilitation and Re-homing Center. Heltzer hopes to be able to rescue more dogs (about 30 at a time) and begin to rescue cats as well.

To adopt, volunteer, make a donation or get more information on Found Chicago, call (773) 539-3880 or visit foundchicago.org.