Douglas + Boomer

Douglas is a US Navy Veteran who has shown incredible resilience both during and after his military service. He deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010, where he served boots on the ground conducting detainee operations while helping stand up a new detention facility. During his deployment, he experienced multiple high-stress situations, including prison riots and a rocket attack that landed close to him. Much of his PTSD stems from these experiences, and one of his proudest accomplishments is beginning the difficult but meaningful work of addressing it after more than 10 years of struggling in silence.

After his service, Douglas earned a degree in Computer Science and went on to work for National University as an ADA/504 specialist, where he supports others by helping ensure accessibility and accommodations for those who need them. His commitment to helping people reflects the same dedication and perseverance that carried him through his time in the military.

Douglas is matched with Boomer, his service dog in training, whom the Shelter to Soldier team adopted from Wags and Walks under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Vulcan Materials Company. Before arriving at Wags and Walks, Boomer had been found wandering a neighborhood in Bakersfield and was taken in by animal services. After being transported to Wags and Walks, the Shelter to Soldier team heard about his strong service dog potential and knew they had to meet him. Not long after, Boomer made the trip to the Wings of Freedom Campus, where he settled in quickly and immediately showed a natural drive for training.

Even though Boomer hasn’t been with the program long, he has picked up on his training incredibly fast and already has a solid foundation of skills under his belt. He is a fun-loving, eager shepherd mix who enjoys learning, working, and playing with his favorite squeaky toys, but he also has the calm focus needed to become a reliable service dog.

Now the focus is on helping Douglas catch up to everything Boomer already knows, so the two of them can learn to work together with confidence and consistency. As their bond continues to grow, Boomer and Douglas are building a partnership rooted in trust, support, and the kind of steady companionship every veteran deserves in a true battle buddy.