Shelter to Soldier
Shelter to Soldier is a nonprofit organization based in Oceanside, California, that trains adopted dogs to serve as psychiatric service animals for post-9/11 veterans and provides emotional support animals to military personnel.
Services
Shelter to Soldier adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). They also place emotional support animals (ESAs) with active duty military and veterans. Additionally, the nonprofit deploys the Shelter to Soldier Canine Ambassadors, a team of certified therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers, to provide no-cost visits of love and comfort to local military, veterans, and their families.
Location
Shelter to Soldier is located in Oceanside, California, with a facility address at 3308 Mission Ave. This location serves as the hub for their dog training and service activities, as well as their various community outreach programs.
Nonprofit Status
Shelter to Soldier operates as a CA 501c3 nonprofit organization. This status allows them to receive tax-deductible donations and provides transparency through their published annual impact reports, which detail their activities and successes in supporting veterans and their families.
Application Process
Veterans interested in receiving a service dog from Shelter to Soldier can apply through an online application process available on their website. This process helps streamline the pairing of psychiatric service dogs with veterans in need, ensuring that support is accessible and efficiently managed.
Fundraising Events
Shelter to Soldier hosts various fundraising events and opportunities, including Facebook Fundraisers and the '31 Miles for Mutts' December Challenge. These events provide the necessary funding to support their mission and expand their reach in helping veterans and their families. Fundraising efforts are vital for sustaining their programs and services.