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Josh + Julio
Julio is an approximately 2 year old rottweiler pitbull mix who we adopted from San Diego County Department of Animal Services Shelter on Gaines St. in San Diego. Julio was eager to please and loved working for treats and affection, but his behavior was struggling in the kennel environment, and he needed a new home. […]
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Angel + Jax
Jax is a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois adopted from San Diego Department of Animal Services Bonita Shelter in September 2016. Jax is full of spunk and life, and we are thrilled to have him in our program. He is very affectionate, enjoys going for walks and loves playing ball as a training reward. Jax has […]
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Dave + Thursday
On November 15th, 2016 our Shelter to Soldier™ service dog training team visited the San Diego Department of Animal Services on Gaines St. in San Diego. There, we met many great dogs – but fell madly in love with this sweet puppy, affectionately named Thursday by her Red Star Sponsor, The Thursday Club Juniors. Thursday […]
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Kevin + Annie
San Diego, CA
On Friday, October 6th, 2017, Shelter to Soldier™ hosted the graduation ceremony of US Navy Veteran Kevin Justice with his service dog, Annie. Annie was the first dog in the Shelter to Soldier™ program trained in mobility assistance, retrieval and psychiatric service. She was adopted from San Diego Department of Animal Services Bonita Shelter and […]
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Jeremy + Luna
Georgia
On June 28th, 2017, US Marine Veteran Jeremy Engle and his service dog, Luna, graduated our program! This goofy girl had a hard start to her journey with STS. She was found by a friend of Shelter to Soldier™ as a stray on the streets of Tijuana, suffering from severe mange and malnutrition. Once Luna […]
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Jayson + Miesha
San Diego, CA
Miesha is a 2 year old pit bull mix adopted from the County of San Diego Animal Services Bonita Shelter. She was shy in the kennel and spent about 7 months there waiting to be adopted, but she blossomed in the training yard, where we noticed her drive to work, her sweetness with other dogs, […]
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Vic + Mia
San Diego, CA
In early 2017, Veteran Advocate, Vic and Training Director/Co Founder Graham Bloem, made the decision to retire Vic’s first service dog, Kira, as she could no longer perform in her role as a psychiatric service dog. Although it was difficult for Vic to picture himeslf without Kira, he knew that he would still need a […]
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Jonathon + Berkeley
On Veteran’s Day 2016, we hosted a very special and intimate graduation ceremony for US Army Veteran Jonathon Marroquin and his service dog, Berkeley. Berkeley’s adoption, care, housing, training and graduation were generously sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Los Angeles Charitable Foundation and Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Calabasas Office. Berkeley was rescued from a […]
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Liz + Charlie
Schubach Aviation Private Hangar
On October 29, 2016, Schubach Aviation generously hosted the graduation of veteran recipient, Liz Carmouche, and her Shelter to Soldier™ service dog, Charlie, at their beautiful, private hangar. Schubach Aviation was our first Red Star Corporate Sponsor and they have continued to support our mission for over three years. Through their continued support, Schubach Aviation […]
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Karen + Seven
Wow, what a team! We are so happy to announce that Karen and Seven graduated our service dog program on July 11, 2016! They are an amazing pair and Karen attributes her new found confidence to having Seven. “I am finally finding myself wanting to go places now and get out of my house…by myself. […]
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Mason + Griffin
San Diego, CA
Mason Crosslin, US Army Ret. is an OIF veteran who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress. For years, he had the support of his service dog, Chase, who helped him cope in society and heal from the wounds of combat. Chase tragically and suddenly passed away from lymphoma in September last year, and Mason reached out to […]
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Ricky + Plato
San Diego, CA
On Wednesday, February 17th, 2016, SGT Ricky Mendez, USMC, graduated the Shelter to Soldier™ program with his new service dog, Plato. Shelter to Soldier™ CoFounders, Kyrié and Graham Bloem, adopted Plato from a rescue group in the LA area in February 2015 under the corporate sponsorship of Plato Pet Treats and their philanthropic program, Plato Wags […]
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Chris + Jade
San Diego, CA
Shelter to Soldier™ adopted Jade from Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas in November 2014. She is a 2 year old golden retriever/shepherd mix with a very kind soul. She is mature beyond her age but still playful and spirited. Jade craves affection from her human friends and handlers, an amazing quality for a service dog. Jade […]
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Tom + Sandy
San Diego, CA
Sandy came into our program in 2013 through the sponsorship of Ranch & Coast Magazine. Tom applied to our program in early 2014, but because of his diagnosis and things he was working through at the time, he took over a year to complete his application process.
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James + Tyberius
San Diego, CA
Jagger & Kristi at Magic 92.5 were working on helping Ty and his mom before she passed away and reached out to our founder, Graham Bloem, to help Ty.
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Vic + Kira
San Diego, CA
Kira is a loving 4 year old female labrador/pit mix. She was rescued just in time to allow her the opportunity to live a happy, loving and purposeful life.
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James + Calver
San Diego, CA
Calver is a 3 year-old, male standard schnauzer. His dad, James, applied to Shelter to Soldier™ and was approved to be a recipient due to his diagnosis of TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)
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Ben + Tank
San Diego, CA
Tank came into our program in June 2014 through the sponsorship of The Wintercreek Foundation. Ben applied to our program in the Spring of 2015, and was perhaps one of our most driven applicants.