Dan + Nova

When Navy veteran Dan first met Nova, their connection was immediate.

Dan served nearly two decades in the U.S. Navy, with assignments that took him across the Pacific. Between 2004 and 2008, he deployed forward from Japan before later serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Carl Vinson from 2012 to 2015. From 2019 to 2022, he completed multiple workups and underway periods with the USS America before transferring to the USS Bonhomme Richard.

On July 12, 2020, Dan was serving as a section leader aboard the Bonhomme Richard when a catastrophic fire broke out. As the ship filled with smoke, he led firefighting efforts, made critical decisions under extreme pressure, and coordinated rescue efforts for fellow Sailors. During the response, he fell down a ladder while navigating the ship but continued carrying out his duties. In the weeks that followed, he served as the Emergency Reclamation Project Manager, overseeing dismantling and salvage operations while continuing to support firefighting efforts during one of the most significant naval ship fires in recent history.

Although the fire was eventually extinguished, its effects remained. Like many veterans, Dan returned home carrying experiences that continued to impact his daily life long after his military service ended. Seeking additional support, he applied to Shelter to Soldier in hopes of gaining a partner who could help him navigate those challenges with greater confidence and independence.

Throughout his life, dogs have been a constant source of stability. His wife often says she’s never met a dog that didn’t instantly connect with Dan. For years, his own dogs provided companionship through every stage of life. When they both passed away within the same year, their absence left a significant void. Missing that connection, Dan even turned to pet sitting through Rover simply to spend time with dogs again.

When he came to Shelter to Soldier, he wasn’t simply looking for another dog. He was ready for a highly trained service dog that could become a trusted partner as he moved forward.

Nova’s journey began in Hesperia, where she was found as a stray before being rescued by Labs and More. After entering Shelter to Soldier’s training program through the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Frontwave Credit Union, she quickly demonstrated the confidence, attentiveness, and gentle temperament needed for service dog work.

From the day they were introduced in January, Nova and Dan developed a strong working relationship. Dan approached every training session with patience, consistency, and a willingness to learn, while Nova excelled as she progressed through each stage of her training.

Within months, they passed their Canine Good Citizen evaluation and advanced into task training, where Nova learned skills including front, center, watch, and rest. Together, they continued building confidence in public settings, training everywhere from grocery stores and parks to restaurants and home improvement stores.

In June, Dan successfully passed his handler test and is now completing the final phase of training as he and Nova prepare for their Public Access Test and graduation.

Nova is trained to assist Dan in ways that help him navigate daily life with greater confidence and independence. Together, they have built a partnership founded on trust, consistency, and teamwork—one that will continue to strengthen long after graduation.

Every service dog begins with a rescue. Every partnership is made possible by a community that believes veterans deserve continued support after their military service. Thanks to Frontwave Credit Union’s investment in Shelter to Soldier’s mission, Dan and Nova are building that future together.