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SPRING is here!
As we enter a new season, the team at STS remains dedicated to answering the call for new veterans in need of our program, while supporting current veteran participants, efficiently training teams and creating space for new recruits to enter the training program. Shelter to Soldier is proud to have eight stellar teams in training working toward graduation, with a full house of 29 trainees working around the clock to become psychiatric service dogs or emotional support animals for veterans who deserve their support.
The need for our psychiatric service dog, emotional support animal and therapy dog programs is vast. Shelter to Soldier currently has the longest waitlist in our program's history and it takes all of us to support them.
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Your support is changing the game for veterans in need
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GRADUATES: Terrance + Dug
Congratulations to our newest graduates USMC Veteran Terrance and service dog Dug! These two have shown unwavering dedication to one another and this process and we are thrilled to celebrate this special milestone alongside them. Dug's journey from adoption to graduation was made possible by his Red Star Sponsor:
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Team in Training Highlight:
Tim + Oliver
Team in training Oliver and his USMC Veteran Tim are checking off their milestones with their sites on the finish line! They recently began their final phase of training, public access training, where they'll practice all of the training skills they've learned thus far by applying them in many different environments. This training helps prepare them for life together as a veteran/service dog team. They're also working to polish Oliver's task cues to best serve Tim's specific needs. We are beyond proud of their progress and love being a small part of their big journey together.
Oliver and Tim's partnership was made possible by:
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Saving Lives, One Swing at a Time
Golf Tournament
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Last Minute Foursome Availability | |
NOW through tomorrow 4/3 at 2 pm - book your foursome and tee off with us on FRIDAY, April 5th with $400 off your registration price.
Only two foursomes remain.
Code: GOLF2024!
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Helicopter Ball Drop Fundraiser
Your chance to win up to $5000!
The Helicopter Ball Drop will take place on Friday, April 5th at Singing Hills Golf Resort, however
*you do NOT need to be present or a registered golf tournament participant to win!*
One Ball: $25
5 Balls: $100
Select your number choice here!
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STS Thank You Soirée Highlights | |
A celebration of life-savers
Every year, Shelter to Soldier is honored to celebrate the impact of our major donors and grantors that bring our success stories to life. This year, with the generous support of Malibu Farm San Diego, we were able to celebrate their impact with small bites, seasonal organic cocktails, live music, therapy dog love, and service dog meet and greets to fuel our collective determination to save lives through the STS program.
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THANK YOU:
COMMUNITY PARTNERS & GRANTORS
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Jersey Mike's North Park Grand Opening
Thomas and Shelby Keaty recently opened a Jersey Mikes location in North Park. Through the grand opening celebration, Jersey Mikes offered sub sandwiches for free to patrons with a $3 donation to Shelter to Soldier. Thanks to the generosity of Jersey Mikes and their patrons, they raised $3531.30 to support our psychiatric service dog training program!
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Fish Market - Giving Sips Fundraiser
Our fifth collaboration with Giving Sips at The Fish Market has been a tremendous success.
Join us in a "CHEERS!" to the guests who visited the San Diego and Del Mar locations of The Fish Market through the months of February and March, and to Moose the Therapy Dog who shared love at Giving Sips activations, for raising nearly $3000 to support our mission.
And there's more - The Fish Market and Herradura Tequila will be offering golfers small bites and Two Times Margaritas on course at our golf tournament this Friday! The Two Times Margarita will be offered through the month of April to continue the fundraising momentum!
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Kiwanis Club of La Jolla
As part of our pursuit of ongoing education, Shelter to Soldier will attend the 2024 National Service Dogs for Veterans Conference by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans July 15th through the 17th in St. Louis, Missouri. Team members who will attend the conference include our Director of Training and Operations, Nicky Moore, as well as four service dog trainers for Shelter to Soldier. In addition to three full days of lectures to support their continued education, our team will also earn a credential in Mental Health "First Aid" for Veterans, an 8-hour Certification Course created by the National Council of Mental Wellbeing.
The Kiwanis Club of La Jolla generously donated $2500 toward this experience for 2024. Our continued education fund helps our training team stay current with dog training education, specifically as we work to support the veteran population. The impact these courses have on our program is substantial and allow us to better serve our local veterans and active duty military who rely on our program as part of their mental health care journey.
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Linden Root Dickinson Foundation
Thank you to the Linden Root Dickinson Foundation for their life saving gift of $60,000 supporting three service dogs through our program as well as a contribution to our Department of Veteran Services.
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Petco Love: Love Stories
Shelter to Soldier recipients submitted "Love Stories" for consideration through the Petco Love - Love Stories campaign, which awarded our program $20,000 for two honorable mention love stories.
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Logomark
Through this continued partnership, Logomark has generously pledged three dog sponsorships (Red Star Sponsorships) and sponsored two Canine Ambassadors through our program which will serve the community as therapy dogs.
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ADP x Onyx Teams Events
On March 1st, Shelter to Soldier had the honor of being the charity beneficiary of the ADP Meeting of the Minds Conference at Manchester Grand Hyatt, where guests decorated stainless steel water bowls for our dogs in training, provided in-kind donations of wish list items, and contributed $40,000 to support our mission at Shelter to Soldier.
Watch a brief event recap here!
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Karen & Jeff Shabel
Red Star Sponsors of graduated team Libby and USA Veteran, Jessica, Karen and Jeff have remained dedicated to dog rescue and veteran's mental health through their support of our program again this year with a generous general operating contribution of $20,000.
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These radiant new adoptions are bringing all the fun to the service dog team of trainees as they embark on their journey to find realize their potential and live out their important purpose. |
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Reggie is a 7-month-old Labrador Retriever adopted by the Shelter to Soldier team from Labs & More through the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Griffin Funding. He is their 6th sponsored dog! He's a charming pup with a knack for melting into laps and creating instant bonds with everyone around him. He brings joy and laughter wherever he goes! | |
Gail is a 1-year-old shepherd mix the Shelter to Soldier team adopted from Labs & More under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Elizabeth Mueller! She is the epitome of a sweet angel with a zest for life! Her heart brims with affection for her fellow furry friends, as she adores nothing more than engaging in playful interactions with other dogs. With her eagerness to explore and learn, she shows promising signs of being a quick learner and ultimately becoming a service dog! | |
Laney is a playful 1-year-old pit mix who we adopted from Labs & More and is generously sponsored by Rose Gonzales. She thrives on treat rewards and loves receiving pets from her friends at the Wings of Freedom Campus. She's shown boundless motivation to work and has been a joy to train since arriving. We can't wait for her to make a positive impact in the life of a veteran in need. | |
Carlie is a 1.5-year-old Labrador Retriever mix adopted by the Shelter to Soldier team thanks to the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Dr. Fred & Kim Pike! She's enthusiastic, affectionate, and always ready to shower you with love. With her playful nature and impeccable house manners, she is the ideal addition to any home, especially for a veteran with a young family! | |
12th Annual Be the Light Gala
Join us for a coastal evening under the stars for our 12th Annual Be the Light Gala, presented by Subaru, USA on Sunday, August 18th at the stunning L'Auberge Del Mar. Guests will enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres, an exciting silent and live auction emceed by Clint Bell, entertainment, and an exquisite dinner while interacting with veteran recipients of our program and seeing our psychiatric service dogs and therapy dog team in action.
Our fundraising goal for the event this year is $250,000 and we know we can reach it with your support. Thank you to Subaru, USA (Presenting Sponsor) and Cox Communications (Silver Sponsor) for their sponsorships to help kick off our impact and fundraising success!
Gala tickets and sponsorships available for purchase/reservation April 15th!
To donate to our auction, email kyrie@sheltertosoldier.org.
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Sisterhood of Service
Women Veterans - JOIN US for a day to celebrate your service. Guests will enjoy an all-levels yoga flow overlooking Mission Bay, followed by refreshments and resources, a seated luncheon and goal-setting workshop.
Thank you to Presenting Sponsor, The Boeing Company, for their dedication to our mission and to women veterans, our event partner Foundation for Women Warriors for their collaboration on this special event and to Mission Beach Women's Club for graciously hosting the event at their clubhouse again this year.
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