Stephanie + Phoebe

The Shelter to Soldier team welcomed Phoebe into our program through the generous Red Star Sponsorship of Cox Communications and our rescue partners at Labs & More.

Phoebe’s journey started far from this moment. She had been found as a stray in Wildomar, unsure and on her own, until our wonderful friends at Labs and More brought her into their care. They gave her the love and nurturing she needed and let us know they believed they had a promising service dog candidate. They were right. From the moment we met her, we could tell she had something special.

Stephanie is a United States Marine Corps veteran who proudly served for 20 years, including a deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). After separating from the military, she began experiencing heightened anxiety that made leaving her home difficult. Still, she was determined to regain her confidence and independence, so she reached out to Shelter to Soldier for help. We were honored to step in.

Her first speed dating session was on January 4, 2025. One dog stood out, but ultimately the pair wasn’t the perfect fit. Then came February 15. After a couple of play sessions and park dates, Stephanie officially matched with our fluffy, goofy, growing girl, Phoebe! It was clear they had something meaningful building between them.

Phoebe is incredibly sweet but also very honest about being young and still learning. She could be stubborn at times, reminding Stephanie that she had plenty of puppy energy left to grow through. But Stephanie never wavered. She came to training twice a week, stayed patient, stayed consistent, and put in the work. That effort earned Phoebe’s trust in the deepest way. Together they built a bond that is strong, loyal, and truly beautiful to witness.

Watching Stephanie and Phoebe grow into the confident and capable team they are today has been such a joy. On December 10, 2025, they officially passed their Public Access Test, and it was especially meaningful that Stephanie was able to bring Phoebe home in time for Christmas—what a gift!

On February 7, 2026, we proudly celebrated their official graduation, joined by Michael from Cox and Stephanie’s beautiful family. It was a wonderful day honoring all of their hard work and dedication. This team has come so far, and their journey is only just beginning!