Kieshawn + Laney

Kieshawn served as a helicopter mechanic in the United States Marine Corps, a role that put him at the center of some of the most critical work in his squadron. He knew those aircraft inside and out, and he knew the people who flew them just as well. During his service, his squadron experienced three helicopter crashes. In those crashes, he lost his mentor and eleven friends. The grief that followed was profound, and it didn’t stay behind when he came home.

In the time after separating from service, Kieshawn began to notice real changes in himself. Talking to people became harder. He started pulling away from those closest to him, and slowly, relationships that had once been a source of strength began to diminish. He found himself constantly on edge, consumed by anxiety, and feeling less and less like the person he had been before he served. He knew something had to change.

He found Shelter to Soldier, and he applied. That decision made all the difference.

Laney came to us through our long-time friends at Labs and More Rescue, made possible by the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Rose Gonzales. Before finding her way to us, she had been found as a stray in Riverside by animal control. She arrived without a history, but from day one it was clear she had a lot to give. She took to training immediately, picking things up quickly and with an enthusiasm that was impossible not to love. A sponsorship like Rose’s is what makes it possible for dogs like Laney to find their purpose, and for veterans like Kieshawn to receive this life-changing program completely free of charge.

When we introduced Kieshawn to our dogs in training, Laney stood out to him right away. Out of everyone he met that day, she was his favorite. Our training team noticed the ease between them from that very first meeting, and it only grew from there. Their first session together showed a Kieshawn who was calm, quick to adapt, and genuinely engaged. The team said it simply: this is a really good fit.

What we have seen since that first meeting has been a testament to what this program is built for. Kieshawn and Laney move through training in sync with each other, responsive and connected in a way that takes some teams much longer to find. The anxiety and isolation that once defined Kieshawn’s daily life have been met with a partner who keeps him grounded, present, and moving forward.

We are so proud of how far Kieshawn and Laney have come! On July 30th, the Shelter to Soldier team celebrated the team’s incredible journey amongst friends and family. We’re excited to hear about the many adventures the two will experience!