Thank you for being part of the LOVE at Shelter to Soldier
The impact our program has in the lives of shelter dogs and veterans suffering from mental illness and trauma boils down to the love and support from each and every one of you. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for being a part of our lifesaving mission and for giving your love to our program.
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Send a "Love Gram" to someone special | |
Whether it's a special someone, best friend, colleague, or family member - let them know you appreciate them this Valentine's Day!
Make a $10 donation using the link below and select the "Dedicate my Donation" checkbox and choose the Valentine's Day e-card. We will send your recipient a tribute letter to let them know you appreciate them PLUS you'll be giving back to a great cause!
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Give the Gift of Golf to your Valentine! | |
Single Golfer and Foursome Registration Early Bird Discount expires 2/23/24!
Give your Valentine a gift you know they'll love with a registration to this year's 5th Annual Saving Lives, One Swing at a Time Golf Tournament!
Join us on April 5th for our second-largest fundraising event of the year, set amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the Willow Glen Golf Course at Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan. Attendees will indulge in an afternoon of golf, complete with a boxed sandwich lunch, sponsored seltzers and beers from Mike Hess Brewing, and select cocktails by Black Market Spirits, event-branded hat and polo, swag bags, and a post-tournament dinner buffet.
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A New Year & a New Paw Forward for
Shelter to Soldier
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Thank you to the Wings of Freedom Foundation for a $1M grant that allowed us the opportunity to move into our new space and immediately expand our impact to reach more shelter dogs and veterans who need us.
$250,000 of their total gift was pledged to make this space operational and welcome our 26 service dogs in training. The remaining funds are being saved in a savings account to help us with the longterm vision to find a ranch-style piece of land in North County San Diego upon which we can build a Wings of Freedom campus complete with vast housing and training areas, tranquil meditation gardens for our veteran constituents and tiny homes to house out-of-area veterans for a condensed training experience.
Thank you to all of our donors, sponsors, community partners, veterans, and team members for carrying us to this special milestone over the past 12 years since our inception. We wouldn't be where we are today without each and every one of you.
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Shelter to Soldier Grand Opening in the Media | | |
Teams in Training on Campus |
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Shaneka + Max
One of our newest official matches, this team is growing their bond in every session.
Max's journey was generously sponsored by:
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Antonio + Stella
This team is currently working toward their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) exam.
Stella's journey was generously sponsored by:
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Terrance + Dug
Dug and Terrance are progressing like pros through their task training and are soon to begin their public access training component, the final phase of handler training through our program.
Dug's journey was generously sponsored by:
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Alex + Lucky
Nearing the finish line and preparing for their graduation, Alex and Lucky are thriving as a team and we know their future together is bright.
Lucky's journey was generously sponsored by:
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Ricardo + Goose
We are thrilled to share that Goose has finally met his perfect match. He and Ricardo share a very special bond and their training rhythm grows stronger weekly. We can't wait to see all that they achieve together as a team.
Goose's journey was generously sponsored by:
Team Keeping Finn
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Timothy + Oliver
Oliver and Tim have begun their public access training phase, the final phase before graduating our program. They absolutely adore one another and their connection is unique and inspiring.
Oliver's journey was generously sponsored by:
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Jermaine + Sally
Sally is on the fast track, soaking up all there is to learn about becoming a service dog in sonic speed. A new adoption in August 2023, Sally is already thriving in handler training with her dad, Jermaine. They passed their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) exam and are now working towards their CGC-A (Canine Good Citizen - Advanced).
Sally's journey was generously sponsored by:
Nanci & Jack Simkin
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Jessica + Wagner
Jessica and Wagner are making huge strides in their handler training program. When they're not working together in their training sessions on-site, Wagner is getting out and about all over town with his trainer, Shelby for his public access training hours. We are so proud of this team and their progress thus far!
Wagner's journey was generously sponsored by:
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Steven + Onyx
Onyx is on a unique path, progressing through his handler training program at home with his Dad, Steven, as he undergoes cancer treatment in the Los Angeles area. The pair share a very special bond and we are thankful that Onyx can support his Dad through this battle.
Onyx's journey was generously sponsored by:
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The Country Friends Supports Shelter to Soldier Food Pantry | |
STS currently has 27 dogs in training, with an immediately goal to rescue 3 new recruits over the next 3 weeks - each requiring high quality kibble, supplements and treats to enhance their training program. It is critical to care for each of the trainees and their preventative health, fueling their bodies to successfully navigate their new life as a companion to a veteran in need. The work of a service animal is demanding on the body and requires a high quality diet, supplements, and treats. STS was fortunate to be among the Chosen Charities of The Country Friends, receiving a $10,000 grant to support the provision of vital nutrition for 27-30 dogs during their training program of 12-18 months each.
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Saving Lives, Two at a Time | Shelter to Soldier stands equally committed to animal rescue and veterans' mental health. Join us in welcoming our newest recruits adopted from rescue partners who are making a direct and life saving impact for dogs at high-kill shelters throughout Southern California. | |
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Meet Indy!
We were lucky enough to have Red Star Sponsor Westlake Realty join us to help select their sponsored dog to begin our 12-18 month training journey to support a post-9/11 veteran in need. Indy (originally Blade) was a sure fit with his eagerness to work, loving demeanor and solid temperament. He even has some height to support mobility assistance, too! Indy was left at the doorstep of Labs and More by his owner, and we are so grateful that he has the opportunity to now live a life of purpose and find his forever home thanks to the Labs and More Rescue team and their unwavering support.
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Indy is affectionately named after the sponsor’s family heart dog who recently passed, but whose legacy will live on in the great work he is now setting off to do. Indy is settling in nicely to his new pad at Shelter to Soldier and already making a new set of best friends with our staff!
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Meet Jupiter!
We adopted this sweet 1 year old terrier mix from Thrive Animal Rescue under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Dempsey Construction. He is settling in nicely to his new home at our Shelter to Soldier Wings of Freedom Training Campus where he has begun his 12-18 month training journey to become a psychiatric service dog for a post-9/11 veteran in need. We are so proud of him already and we can’t wait to see all that lies ahead for him on this path.
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Meet Valerie!
Valerie is a darling 7 month old chocolate lab we adopted recently from Labs and More Rescue. They had rescued her and her sister on their scheduled euthanasia date from a Southern California shelter. We are so glad they intervened and brought her into their loving care. Now, she has the opportunity to live her best life with the best job ever as a psychiatric service dog for a veteran in need, thanks to her sponsor, Logomark! The future is bright for this beauty!
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Meet Koa!
Koa came to us in a unique way. His Dad is active duty in the US Navy and had to leave for a 2 year deployment on a submarine. Left with no options for Wilbur other than to surrender him to the shelter, our team found him and saw his spark of service dog potential. We are thrilled to welcome this promising recruit to our program and grateful to his Dad for entrusting us to secure a forever home and purposeful future for his beloved companion.
Koa's journey was generously sponsored through the funds raised by the Opportunity Drawing donation of the 1969 Volkswagen Bug by Jolie Budau for our 11th Annual Be the Light Gala in 2023.
Koa means "warrior" or "valiant one" in Hawaiian. We think it fits him perfectly!
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