Retired Air Force Sergeant Jeff and his service dog Maddie were among the shelter dog + participant duos who have graduated from Shelter to Service. Their journey through the training exemplifies the profound ways the program touches lives. Learning to be a service dog and handler as a team gave Jeff the challenge and satisfaction of training Maddie to support his unique needs. With Jeff as her guide, Maddie learned to excel as a psychiatric service dog. This team approach to training deepens the bond between participants and their service dogs, fostering pride and a sense of purpose for both.
Joybound’s Shelter to Service training program (formerly Pets and Vets) heals and enriches lives far beyond those of the people and shelter dogs participating. Family and friends witness and also benefit from the joyful transformation. “My wife used to say she didn’t know which version of me would wake up in the morning,” says Jeff. “Since I’ve had Maddie, that’s changed. Maddie’s been a life-saver. If I didn’t have her, I don’t know where I’d be.”
Since the Shelter to Service program was created in 2011, Joybound has pioneered innovative solutions to serve people with post traumatic stress and other conditions that can benefit from a psychiatric or emotional service dog. From that time forward, we have enhanced the lives of thousands of people, their families, and their pets through free adoptions, free veterinary exams, and our Shelter to Service program.
The coming year will see the launch of new ways to make Joybound’s support services more widely available to people, including a foster program that will engage volunteers to help prepare shelter dogs for the service dog candidacy. “We are keenly focused on expanding our programs so more people and dogs can experience better lives together,” said Amanda Conlon, Director of the Shelter to Service program. “The need is great and our solution is a win-win for people and shelter dogs. We stand poised and ready to answer the call.”
