A woman who insists she’s not a dog person finds herself taking in a stray — and discovering that the animal she rescues might just be the one who rescues her.

That’s the heart of Dog Mom, a new comedy by Tate Elizabeth Hanyok at The Open Eye Theatre in Margaretville, that explores friendship, second chances and the unexpected ways our lives can change.

Jessica Wright, Open Eye’s Marketing Manager who also performs in the production, says the play balances laugh-out-loud moments with an emotional story about two lives transformed by an unlikely bond.

“At its heart it’s a funny really relatable story,” Wright said. “And I really feel like most of us really can relate to how second chances and how an unexpected dog or any pet can really completely change your direction.”

Hoynach, whose credits include writing and directing the Hulu original comedy Sex Appeal, originally played the dog in the play’s world premiere at B Street Theatre in Sacramento. According to Wright, the production received national recognition, including an award at the New Comedy Festival.

The Margaretville production also extends the play’s themes beyond the stage through partnerships with the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society in Delhi and Superheroes in Oneonta.

The theatre’s lobby features photographs of adoptable animals and information about both shelters. Representatives are also expected to be available to answer audience questions, and the theatre is collecting donated supplies for the organizations.

“We wanted to make a real world impact right here locally,” Wright said.

For Wright, the story’s emotional power comes from watching two vulnerable beings find one another.

“Finding each other changes everything in both of their lives,” she said.