Shelter to Soldier

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Shelter to Soldier Shelter to Soldier adopts dogs from local rescues and shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans with PTSD, TBI & MST.

Shelter to Soldier is a CA 501c3 nonprofit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or other psychological injuries associated with traumatic service experiences.

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Navy! 🇺🇸⚓️From all of us at Shelter to Soldier, thank you to the generations o...
10/13/2026

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Navy! 🇺🇸⚓️

From all of us at Shelter to Soldier, thank you to the generations of Sailors who have served and continue to serve our nation with courage, dedication, and sacrifice.

We are especially grateful for the privilege of supporting our Navy community through our Morale Dog Program.

Fair winds and following seas! 💙🐾

10/07/2026

These are the moments that matter. 💙

A veteran handler learning to trust his dog, while putting in the time to prove he is worthy of his dog’s trust, too. Our favorite moments are the ones when we see veterans and their service dogs leaning into one another, and learning the cadence of a partnership that will one day feel like second nature.

For Brody and Matt, every repetition builds something bigger: trust, confidence, and communication. A bond that grows stronger with every session. The moments that may look small and rudimentary today can become lifesaving tomorrow. It’s about so much more than the command.

Someday, Brody may recognize Matt’s need before a word is ever spoken, and Matt will know when to trust Brody without hesitation. The hundreds of quiet moments they spent learning one another will be there as the foundation beneath it all.

This is how a lifetime of teamwork begins, and this is the heartbeat of everything we do at Shelter to Soldier – one dog, one Veteran, one relationship, and one step at a time.

Brody and Matt’s journey through our program was generously sponsored by Frontwave Foundation Frontwave Credit Union through their Presenting Sponsorship of our 2026 Golf tournament. Brody was adopted from our good friends at Labs And More Rescue 🖤

Today, we celebrated something truly special. ❤️🐾🇺🇸USMC Veteran Chelsea officially graduated from our program alongside ...
10/02/2026

Today, we celebrated something truly special. ❤️🐾🇺🇸

USMC Veteran Chelsea officially graduated from our program alongside her service dog, Bodie — and watching this team reach this moment was nothing short of incredible.

From the early days of training to the countless hours spent building trust, confidence, and an unbreakable bond, Chelsea and Bodie have grown together every step of the way.

There is something remarkable about witnessing a veteran and a rescue dog find their way to one another — learning to lean on each other, support each other, and ultimately become a team.

And we couldn’t create these life-changing partnerships without the steadfast support of our Red Star Sponsors.

We were honored to have Clive Goldberg, CEO of Logomark, join us to celebrate Chelsea and Bodie and see the impact of Logomark’s commitment to Shelter to Soldier come full circle. Logomark has been an incredible partner in helping make this journey possible. ❤️

Chelsea & Bodie, congratulations on this incredible achievement. May the next chapter be filled with confidence, companionship, and countless adventures together.
🐾🇺🇸❤️

10/01/2026

Today is , and we couldn’t think of a better excuse to show off the 12 beautiful black Lab mixes currently training at Shelter to Soldier. Yes, TWELVE. And we absolutely adore every single one of them. 🖤

Black dogs have historically been thought to face an extra challenge in shelters, a phenomenon often called “Black Dog Syndrome.” One study found black dogs were nearly 24% less likely to be adopted than partially black or non-black dogs. And because black is one of the most common coat colors among shelter dogs, standing out in a crowded kennel or online adoption profile can be one more hurdle on the road home.

Around here, though? We see them. 🖤 We see their confidence. Their intelligence. Their goofy personalities. Their eagerness to learn. And, most importantly, their potential.

For the black beauties currently calling our Wings of Freedom Training Campus home, being rescued wasn’t the end of their story. It was the beginning of a new one – months of training, love and purpose as they prepare for the possibility of one day serving alongside a Veteran or member of our military community.

From overlooked to extraordinary. ✨

We couldn’t be happier to help fill that gap, giving deserving rescue dogs the opportunity not only to find a home, but to discover just how much purpose their lives can hold.

Happy National Black Dog Day to our very own . 🖤🐾

Saving Lives, Two at a Time.

Yesterday, Lieutenant Raider - Shelter to Soldier Morale Dog - deployed aboard the USS Makin Island (LHD 8). 🇺🇸🐾Once a h...
09/29/2026

Yesterday, Lieutenant Raider - Shelter to Soldier Morale Dog - deployed aboard the USS Makin Island (LHD 8). 🇺🇸🐾

Once a homeless pup, Raider is now a U.S. Navy-designated FIDO (Fleet Integrated Dog Operator), serving alongside more than 2,500 Sailors and Marines – bringing comfort, connection, joy and a little piece of home to those serving far from theirs. ❤️

From rescue, to training at Shelter to Soldier, to a mission at sea – this is what it means to give a rescue dog purpose.

Fair winds and following seas, Lieutenant Raider. 🌊🇺🇸 We are so incredibly proud of you.

Raider’s Morale Dog journey through our program was made possible through a generous gift from Karen & Jeff Shabel. 💙

⚾️ Strikeouts turned into something much bigger this season.Throughout the San Diego Padres season, every game in which ...
09/29/2026

⚾️ Strikeouts turned into something much bigger this season.

Throughout the San Diego Padres season, every game in which Padres pitchers recorded 9 or more strikeouts unlocked a special offer for Petco customers – and a $500 contribution from Petco Love to support local animal welfare organizations.

By season’s end, those strikeouts added up to an incredible $40,000 in community impact, with $20,000 awarded to Shelter to Soldier and $20,000 to Kane’s K9s!

Our gift was gratefully accepted by Canine Ambassador team Bill Duffield, U.S. Navy Veteran, and Nala the therapy dog, who - alongside our volunteer Canine Ambassador therapy dog teams - met thousands of Padres fans throughout the season as part of the Padres K-9 Promotion.

We are tremendously grateful to Petco, Petco Love and the San Diego Padres for including Shelter to Soldier in this meaningful partnership. This $20,000 investment will help fuel our work rescuing deserving dogs and preparing them for lives of purpose, service and companionship, including life-changing partnerships with Veterans navigating the challenges of invisible wounds.

We love seeing businesses, professional sports, nonprofits and an entire community of fans come together around a shared purpose.

Every strikeout became an opportunity to make a difference – and San Diego showed up all season long. We’re incredibly grateful to have you alongside us as we continue Saving Lives, Two at a Time. 🇺🇸🐾⚾️

09/25/2026

WHAT IF THERE WERE AN ENTIRE DAY DEDICATED TO SAYING “THANK YOU” TO YOUR DOG?

There is. And your dog is going to LOVE it. ❤️

Join us Saturday, November 7 at Fox Point Farms in Encinitas for the 3rd Annual Salute to Paws 5K & Gratitude Festival for Dogs – a dog-friendly 5K followed by a celebration created for the pups who make every day better.

🏃 Run it. Walk it. Wag it.
🐕 Bring your best friend
🎶 Live music + dog-friendly fun
🛍️ Pet-focused vendors
🍻 Food + drinks
🐾 Activities, photo ops + plenty of tail wags

Not a runner? Skip the 5K and come for the dog party. 🎉

And the best part? Your day with your best friend helps another dog find their purpose. Proceeds benefit Shelter to Soldier and our mission of rescuing dogs and preparing them for lives of service and companionship alongside Veterans and our military community.

🚨 DON’T JUST SAVE THE DATE – SAVE YOUR SPOT.

Grab your pup. Gather your pack. Register today. 👇

🎟️ bit.ly/SaluteToPaws3

Your dog gives you their best every day. On November 7, give them a day that’s all about THEM. 💙🐾

Three years ago today, we lost a truly special member of our Shelter to Soldier family. Charley was a beloved trainer, a...
09/24/2026

Three years ago today, we lost a truly special member of our Shelter to Soldier family.

Charley was a beloved trainer, a USMC Veteran, and a light within our team. She brought an infectious sense of humor everywhere she went, an unmistakable spark, and a deep passion for giving rescue dogs a second chance while creating hope and connection for Veterans navigating invisible wounds.

She made us laugh. She made a difference. And she left an imprint on this mission that time will never erase.

We miss Charley every day, but there is comfort in knowing that her legacy continues in all that we do. It lives in every rescue dog given a new beginning, every Veteran who finds renewed hope and purpose, and every life-changing partnership we have the privilege of helping create.

Today, we remember Charley with the same love, laughter, and light she shared so freely with all of us. We are forever grateful that she was part of our story. 🇺🇸🐾

We miss you, Charley. Always. 🤍

09/23/2026

Heart of the Beast is more than a story - it represents a bond you only know about if you’ve ever loved a dog. ❤️🐾

This opening week of we’re celebrating the extraordinary bond between dogs and the people whose lives they change.

From rescue pups discovering their purpose to service dogs standing beside veterans through life’s hardest moments, these incredible teams show us the courage, loyalty, and unconditional love that live in the heart of every dog.

🎬🐕‍🦺 If you love dogs - and even if you just don’t know that you do yet - don’t miss this one. Grab your tickets and go see Heart of the Beast in theaters this Friday, 9/25!

A heartfelt thank you to Heart of the Beast for inviting Shelter to Soldier to be part of the opening week celebrations. We’re honored to have our Canine Ambassador Therapy Dog teams at AMC Theatres Mission Valley helping celebrate a film that shines a light on the incredible bond we share with our beloved companions.

Address

2366 Front Street
San Diego, CA
92103

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17608705338

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Shelter to Soldier posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Shelter to Soldier:

Shortcuts

Sponsored

Share

Category