The Shelter to Soldier team adopted Koa as an owner surrender under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Jolie Budau!
Koa came to us from a loving owner who was enlisted in the Navy and studying at UCSD. With a demanding schedule, his previous owner knew Koa needed more—he deserved a purpose. That’s when he connected with Tommy, our Veteran & Community Outreach Representative, and Koa’s journey toward becoming a service dog began.
The moment our training team met Koa at our Wings of Freedom Campus, they saw his potential. His energy, intelligence, and eagerness to work made it clear—Koa was born to serve, especially for someone active and adventurous.
Around the same time, Kelley discovered our program through the Vet Center. After serving in the United States Marine Corps since 1988—including two ground combat tours during Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as one “non-combat” tour that still included daily incoming fire—Kelley was seeking support. He hoped a service dog could help ease the weight of anxiety and depression, particularly in crowds and high-stress work environments.
Once Kelley applied, we knew right away he’d be an outstanding handler. All that was missing was the right match.
When Kelley and Koa met for the first time, it was instant. Sparks flew. The bond between them was undeniable—Koa was all in, wanting nothing more than to make his new dad proud. At the start of every training session, Koa would leap into Kelley’s arms, overjoyed just to be by his side. Their connection translated into rapid progress, mastering commands and public outings with ease. When it came time for their Public Access Test, they made it look effortless.
USN veteran Kelley Watts speaks at the 14th annual Be the Light Gala alongside his service dog, Koa.
“I feel really honored that I got into this program and to be supported. It’s been a tough couple months…there’s been a couple days where I’m just putting my shoes on he (Koa) just kind of walks up and he gets up there, gets up on both my legs, and I just give him a hug and he’s like “Okay, now what?”, and so we’ll go on a hike or a run or we’ll do whatever. He helps me out. Thank all of you for all your support. It means so much to us and he’s a great partner. We’re now a team!”
-Kelley with Koa
Other Success Stories
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Jermaine + Sally
The Shelter to Soldier team adopted Sally from Labs & More under the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Jack and Nanci Simkin! Sally caught the attention of our training team with her large stature making her a great candidate for a mobility assistance dog. US Army Veteran Jermaine discovered our organization through a news outlet. […]
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Mark + Reed
After 25 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL, Mark knew the comfort and companionship of a dog could make a meaningful difference in his life after service. When he met Reed, a rescue from Labs & More, the connection was immediate. Together, they built a strong partnership through training, developing the trust and teamwork needed to navigate life as a service dog team. Today, Mark and Reed are a reminder that sometimes the right partner finds you exactly when you need them most.
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Adam + Bash
Adam Cunningham, USMC and his service dog Bash graduated our program on November 13, 2019. Shelter to Soldier adopted Bash from Labs & More Rescue out of San Diego, CA under the generous sponsorship of The Wintercreek Foundation. We are so thankful that these two found one another through our program. The pair are already […]