Shaneka + Max

The Shelter to Soldier team adopted Max from Wags & Walks under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Logomark! Our team welcomed Max on November 16th, 2023 where he dove straight into training picking up on his basic commands fairly quickly. In just less than 4 months, Max would be matched with US Navy Veteran, Shaneka. 

Shaneka, a Gulf War veteran, was introduced to Shelter to Soldier through a mental health physician at the VA. During her military service, she served as a hospital corpsman for eight years, a role that brought her immense joy through the spirit of giving and nurturing—especially when working in the newborn nursery. Unfortunately, Shaneka’s service also led to struggles with anxiety and hypervigilance, making it difficult for her to trust others.

Thanks to the support of Max, the Shelter to Soldier team, and her boyfriend Craig, Shaneka has rediscovered her confidence and gained a newfound sense of independence. In addition to her dedicated service, Shaneka has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice and is now pursuing her Master’s in Education and School Counseling with a PPS Credential. Her resilience, bravery, and selflessness are a true testament to the strength our community needs, and we are incredibly proud of all she has accomplished.

Shaneka and the rest of the team celebrated their graduation on January 8th, 2025, surrounded by friends, family, and Max’s sponsor, Logomark.

“My biggest struggle outside of the military was dealing with the aftermath of the trauma, anxiety, nightmares and night terrors, paranoia, not to forget hypervigilance too. Overall, my service buddy whom you may refer to as my service dog has made life easier to navigate. I am beginning to regain the confidence and independence I had in myself prior to my trauma and that is big for me. I don’t think there is enough space in the world to write all the words of gratitude I feel from the impact the sponsors and supporters have in one little human like me. I am really overjoyed to have been blessed and chosen by a wonderful family as Shelter to Soldier. To any and all future supporters as a veteran having newly completed the program I will that that it is definitely one journey along your life’s path that will be simply unforgettable. Even though times my look dark, gloomy, and downright daunting at times just remember that you DESERVE to live this life abundantly and more importantly you get to do it with a friend who will love you through it all.”

-Shaneka with Max