Autumn + Carlie

The Shelter to Soldier team adopted Carlie from Labs & More under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Dr. Fred & Kim Pike!

Autumn is a proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was referred to our program by one of our graduates, Jessica, and her service dog, Wagner. After her time in the service, Autumn faced challenges with hypervigilance and panic in public spaces—making everyday outings overwhelming and difficult. She came to us with the hope that a service dog could help ground her, give her a sense of security, and ultimately become a reason to get out of bed and enjoy the sunshine again.

On September 10, 2024, Autumn was officially matched with Carlie—and the connection was instant. From the moment they met, Autumn’s face lit up, and week by week, we watched her gradually come out of her shell. Together, they’ve made incredible progress, working tirelessly toward their goals and building a powerful bond along the way.

On April 18, 2025, Autumn and Carlie proudly graduated as a certified service dog team. Their journey is a testament to courage, healing, and the unbreakable connection between a veteran and their dog.

“My years have been difficult filled with a lot of anger and nothing but negative emotions, and it wasn’t until yesterday when I was reflecting on all of the good things in my life. I realized one of the positive things that came up this year was Carlie, and that she brings so much to my life. I can’t even describe, and she truly brings out a person I haven’t seen in years. I’m forever grateful for you guys (Dr. Fred & Kim Pike) for sponsoring her and doing everything you guys could. I’m truly grateful for everybody here. Thank you guys for everything that you do. Thank you for getting me to her.”

-Autumn & Carlie