Saving Lives, Two at a Time™
We bring post-9/11 combat veterans together with trained, rescue dogs to help both recover and move forward.
Shelter to Soldier™ is a CA 501c3 nonprofit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The program also places emotional support animals (ESAs) with active duty military and veterans, and deploys the Shelter to Soldier Canine Ambassadors, a team of certified therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers, to provide no-cost visits of love and comfort to local military, veterans and their families.
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Every 69 minutes A US Veteran commits suicide
On average, 20 Veterans and 1 Active Duty military personnel commit suicide, every day. They sacrificed everything to protect our freedom, and it’s our turn to give back to them.
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Every Day An average of 1800 dogs are euthanized nationwide
We rescue dogs that are better suited for a life with a job or may otherwise be overlooked, providing them a future with a purpose and a life that is fulfilled by their bond with a veteran in need.
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Scout + Krystine
Scout is a rockstar psychiatric service dog that graduated with his veteran handler Krystine Wunder, US Army Ret. in May 2021. We rescued Scout from our friends at Labs and More Rescue out of San Diego, CA under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Petco Foundation.
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Chelsea + Thistle
Thistle is a 3 year old Golden Retriever Mix we adopted from Labs & More Rescue under the generous sponsorship of Rennie Gabriel and Three Dog Bakery Encino. Thistle and Chelsea graduated December 2021!
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Milkdud + Richie
This gentle and extra sweet 2 year old shepherd mix was adopted by our team from Labs and More Rescue out of San Diego, CA. She’s around 45 pounds, the perfect size for our program and her work as a psychiatric service dog. She is quietly confident and very social. We are so thankful to […]
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Dustin + Nigel
“If it wasn’t for Shelter to Soldier, I don’t know if I would still be around. My service dog, Nigel, helps me live a normal life by mitigating my Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) symptoms. Shelter to Soldier saved both of our lives.” Nigel, generously sponsored by UNITE Hair, graduated with his veteran, Dustin Potash, US […]
Help the Mission
Every dollar helps us fulfill our mission of saving lives, two at a time.
Supporting our mission allows us to rescue more dogs for our program, and provides the funding we need to support all of their needs from medical care to safe housing over the course of their 12-18 month training program and subsequent training with their veteran handler.
Founding Partners
Red Star Corporate Partners
The Team
Our passionate and dedicated team is made up of animal-lovers, veterans, military spouses, and advocates of dog rescue and veteran mental health. Animal care technicians, dog training assistants, dog trainers, veteran advocates, board members, administrative staff, and dedicated volunteers are passionate about the mission at Shelter to Soldier and being a light to those in need.