SOMETHING SPECIAL: SHELTER TO SOLDIER

By Cynthia K. Kosciuczyk

I recently had the distinct pleasure of meeting Tommy Moore from Shelter to Soldier. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Tommy joined the Navy in 2008. In his role, he brings his passion for helping his brothers and sisters in arms, and the animals he cares so much for. His experience and training in the military and as a sexual assault victim advocate helps him be better prepared to connect with our Veterans. Tommy is also the dog-dad of one of our Canine Ambassador Therapy Dogs, Moose, and he and Moose provide love and support to the military community here in San Diego! When he’s not busy working and participating in community events, Tommy enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicky (Shelter to Soldier Director of Training), and his three dogs. I asked a few questions about their mission and the responses were incredible.

Q. When was the organization founded?

Shelter to Soldier was founded in 2012.

Q. The main types of issues the therapy dogs are helping with?

The main issues our Service Dogs are helping with are, post traumatic stress, generalized anxiety, depression, issues with sleep, and mobility. There are more specialized things we can help with but overall the above.

Q. You adopt shelter dogs as an organization, what is the most rewarding part of the process?

The most rewarding part of the process is seeing the change in both the Veteran and the dog. The way a Veterans eyes light up when they see their dog week after week at the facility for their training sessions, or the way the dog gets so excited to see their mom/dad for a session. I truly believe we are saving lives two at a time.

Q. Since its inception, how many veterans have you paired with a pet?

Since its inception we have paired over 70 veterans with psychiatric service dogs.

Q. Give us a short description of the process:

Behind the scenes we adopt a dog from a local Southern California rescue and train that dog for 6-9 months. The dog is learning basic obedience, potty training, house manners, and starts on its task work. Once a dog is ready to be matched we go through a process called doggy speed dating. In this process we will take 4-5 dogs that we think match up with the Veterans lifestyle and let that connection happen super organically. We want that Veteran and Dog to have a connection from the get go! Once matched the Veteran and Dog will go through 6-9 additional months of training, one day a week at our facility. The Veteran and dog learn to work together in public spaces, the Veteran learns how to handle the dog, what the dog can do for them, what their ADA rights are. Then once they pass a public access test, they go on to live an amazing life with their dog!

Q. You are in the process of creating a larger center, can you tell us a bit more about it?

The idea behind the larger facility is to be able to expand the amount of dogs we can have in training at any given time. We are also planning to build tiny homes on the property so that we can expand our reach to out of state Veterans that would like to take part in our program.

Q. You mentioned that most of your expenses as a 501 C3 are covered by donations. Where would people be able to send donations, and do you need volunteers?

Shelter to Soldier is completely community funded. If people are interested in donating they can do so on our Website: Sheltertosoldier.org!

Q. Your group goes out to visit the community. What places do you visit on a regular basis?

Our Canine Ambassador therapy dog teams regularly can be found at any Shelter to Soldier event, they also visit Veteran Centers, Hospitals, Schools and anywhere they can make a difference.

Q. How would a group go about having you attend an event?

If you would like to Shelter to Soldier to attend an event, there is an email on the website Sheltertosoldier.org.

Q. How can someone apply to your program?

If you are interested in applying the application is on the website!

On Saturday, 4-22-23, Celebrate-athon.com celebrated the anniversaries of Batta | Fulkerson Injury Attorneys, Henebery Spirits, Partying for a Purpose and It’s All About the Kids® [IAATK]. Celebrate-athon.com was an in-person and livestreamed fundraiser for the Feed the Kids Program held at the amazing headquarters of Batta | Fulkerson Injury Attorneys. The event video will be released soon on www.ItsAllAboutTheKids.org.

Guests attended and presented GIANT checks to IAATK to fight food insecurity in San Diego. Over $92,000 was raised with pledges of over $206,000. San Diego’s favorite MC Kristy Salazar and Rogue Bunny Mayhem podcast host Brian Olea kept the live-stream fun and energized while the checks poured in. Everyone enjoyed entertainment from J7 Entertainment, Tarciana, El Watusi, Adam Lasher, DJ Scott Roberts, DJ IDeaL and a special live stream set from world-famous DJ Donald Glaude. San Diego’s best stylist Kotton CandiCo dazzled the guests with her styling corner, and then they struck a pose on the Booth12 photo booth and 360 Video. In the ZoomRoom, managed by Rebel Angel Media, donors and guests chatted with Rogue Bunny Mayhem podcast hosts Donna and Victoria who answered questions and told supporters about their amazing life experiences. Production experts Icon Productions and DBS Productions captured the event along with photographers Ivan S. Harris Photography and Guided by Imagination Photography. Photos are available at www. ItsAllAboutTheKids.org. In-person guests also loved the delicious food from Rubicon Deli, Meze Greek Fusion and Pacific Beach Fish Shop. Libations included Agua Fresca, Henebery Whiskey, Layback Vodka and Longball Tea, along with tastings from Cava Antigua Tequila. The on-line auction fea - tured awesome items and there is currently, an auction after-sale with additional items just added at www.celebrate-athon.com. With over 200,000 San Diego children going to bed hungry, IAATK’s mission to feed kids is more important than ever before. Through delivery, and distributions at schools, low-income housing developments, and at Mini-Pantries, IAATK is removing the barrier of transportation to get more nutritious food to over 500 families each week. The Energy Project, within the Feed the Kids Program, sponsors Bike Clubs, teaches nutrition education, and provides each student with PrepEaze’s BEEZ SEEDZ protein bars and new bikes from Out of the Ordinary Group and Team Adventures. For more information about It’s All About the Kids® and how you can help by donating, volunteering, and sharing their mission, please visit www.ItsAllAboutTheKids. org.

BY BART MENDOZA