US Army Veteran Overcomes Combat Afflictions Thanks to the Support of Shelter to Soldier by Eva M. Stimson Mason Crosslin, US Army (Ret.) is an OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) veteran who suffers from PTS (Post Traumatic Stress). To help cope with his symptoms, Mason sought the aid of Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego-based non-profit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from (PTS), Traumatic Brain (TBI) and/or other afflictions associated with traumatic combat experiences. As a result of his handler training with Shelter to Soldier, he successfully graduated from the program with his dedicated service dog Griffin.
Mason and Griffin
Griffin is a gentle, Pointer/Labrador mix rescue from the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services shelter in Bonita, CA. Griffin’s adoption, care, training and housing was sponsored by Griffin Funding, a San Diego-based mortgage banking company dedicated to giving back to San Diego veterans and shelter dogs in need. Mason and Griffin were celebrated at an intimate graduation ceremony at Poway Veteran’s Park and are now partners for life. After the graduation event, Mason remarked, “Griffin is so eager to learn and I’m really enjoying learning a lot about proper dog handling techniques, which I feel passionately about. I’m so blessed and grateful to have Shelter to Soldier staff and volunteers in my life! I was experiencing some gnarly nightmares, and having Griffin with me to put me back in reality after I wake up is a game changer.” In addition to his successful graduation from Shelter to Soldier, Mason joined the Shelter to Soldier team as a volunteer animal care technician. His responsibilities include the walking, feeding, bathing and care for the dogs in the STS program. He has also become an in-house photographer and dog trainer, dedicating countless hours working alongside the STS team, learning how to communicate with dogs and teach them the needed skills to become service dogs for fellow veterans in need. According to Founder and President of Shelter to Soldier, Graham Bloem, “Mason’s growth and unwavering dedication is highly admirable and a true testament to his strength and desire to continue to push forward. 30
HOMELAND / June 2018
He’s an amazing example of the success of our program at Shelter to Soldier --- when I met Mason, he was in a very sad, dark place. He was particularly challenged by public interaction, but he immersed himself in our program and has since overcome astonishing obstacles and transformed his life. He smiles often, works incredibly hard and is proud of his contributions. One of the hidden talents we discovered is his ability to capture the relationship of dogs with their veteran-handlers through photography. We have utilized his work in our marketing outreach efforts with impactful results.” After a three-month cross-country trip this summer, Mason will join the Shelter to Soldier team as a paid staff member. He will assume the duties of Dog Trainer, Care Giver and part-time in-house photographer. The mission of Shelter to Soldier includes veterans helping veterans, so Mason is a true example of overcoming obstacles to assist his fellow veterans in need.