Lady Gaga's Dog Walker Ryan Fischer Reveals the 'Hardest Part' of His Recovery After Being Shot

Lady Gaga‘s dog walker Ryan Fischer, who was shot during the violent robbery of the singer’s dogs, is opening up about his recovery and what has been the hardest part so far.

Ryan took to Instagram on Monday (May 24) to share a lengthy letter to his followers and talk about the interactions he’s had with people.

There have been some insensitive things said by people, though Ryan recognizes that it all “comes from a kindness and compassion that I welcome.”

He started the post with a quote with some of the things said to him: “You’re Ryan! You got shot. You were shot! Where were you shot? Where’d they shoot you?”

“Over the past few weeks, after charges were announced and leveled against those who stole the boys and attempted to murder me, I continue to find myself on the receiving end of several conversations like this. With no arrow drawn to my wounds and no sign that reads, ‘I’m Ryan! I was shot,’ people still come up to me on my morning walks to let me know that I, in fact, had been shot. And that my given name continues to be Ryan,” he started off the letter.

Click inside to read the rest of Ryan Fischer wrote…

Ryan continued, “It’s a strange thing to be known for a trauma that I’m still healing from. People want to reach out, share in my pain for a moment, and then walk away, leaving me to relive it again. It’s not intentional; it comes from a kindness and compassion that I welcome. Everyone’s support and well wishes have been incredible, and I am so humbled by every kind word and prayer that have come my way. It just hasn’t always been easy to navigate as I continue to find myself.”

Ryan has not returned to dog walking, despite some previous reports, and he says this has been the hardest part of his recovery.

“Along with the media attention and trauma recovery, I am – for the first time in a very long time – without purpose, which has been the hardest part of this chapter. Because I’m not yet in the proper headspace to care for dogs (whenever I perceive a dog is in danger I go on high alert and then break down and cry after), my purpose for the last ten years has suddenly vanished,” he said.

Ryan concluded the post, “So what do I do now during this necessary limbo? Do I sit and do nothing, or do I choose to cultivate another aspect of self that gives purpose? It’s funny, I set up this account years ago with a concept in mind: What would it look like if a gay Saint – specifically Saint Rocque, patron Saint of Dogs, Bachelors, and the Plague – were reincarnated and had to navigate modern celebrity culture? What would he do and say to get his message across? Would he get a van and explore this country, write about prison reform and healing, and comment about a late-stage capitalistic society through performance? Who knows, but I’m dying to find out. Not like get shot, dying, but I am excited to share in my bumbling exploration and storytelling with you along the way. To a purposeful journey!”

See all the details behind the arrests of the people who shot Ryan and stole Gaga‘s dogs.