Paws Tales

Battle Buddy Bulletin: Edition 3 

                                                                                                                                          February 2026 

My journey with Healing Paws for Warriors began in July 2023. My wife Tricia knew Dennis Krebs through his wife Chris, and our impression of HP4W was so positive that we decided to volunteer. Not long after, we were asked to foster a dog named Liberty. At first, we hesitated, worried we’d get too attached and struggle when it was time to let her go. Ultimately, after much thought, we welcomed Liberty into our home.

Fostering Liberty turned out to be an incredibly rewarding experience—more fulfilling than we ever expected. The support from HP4W was constant throughout the process. Their skilled trainer, Lisa Russell, invested many hours teaching me how to train Liberty; her patient and thorough approach made all the difference. We cared for Liberty for about four months, and the evening we introduced her to her Veteran, John, is unforgettable. Their connection was immediate, as if Liberty instinctively understood her new purpose.

We were lucky to see John and Liberty together during their first few months together, noticing John’s confidence grow each time. The stories he shared about Liberty’s impact on his daily life moved us deeply. We recently fostered Rita and were able to witness her meet her Veteran in January. You could immediately see that same quiet understanding in her, that sense that she knew she had found the person she was meant to be with. We’re excited to watch their journey and the transformation they’ll make together.

We are truly grateful to Healing PAWS for Warriors for trusting us with these remarkable dogs. It’s an honor to play a part in this organization and witness the profound changes they bring to our courageous Veterans.

- Bud (Board Chairman)

Veterans for Vets Disc Golf hosted by Dynamic Discs

Thank you Dynamic Discs for hosting a great golf tournament for us! The chilly weather did not deter these dedicated golfers from slinging their discs to their targets.

Christmas Parade

  Another magical Christmas parade is in the books, and what a great time we had!  We had 2 of our vehicles decorated this year, and added a new doggy decoration to the mix! We still need to name him for next year, any ideas?!

Thank you to the City of Fort Walton Beach for bringing so much holiday cheer with yet another festive and fun parade!

THANK  YOU!

The past few months have brought generous check presentations our way, and we are truly grateful. Our community continues to show incredible support, and we couldn’t do what we do without them.

Pensacola Jeeps and Five Flags Speedway donating from the amazing Full Throttle for Vets Car Show.

Harvey F. Eckhoff VFW Post 7674 Auxiliary donated from their Bingo Night.

 American Legion Post 75, Oscar E Wilson chose us for their charity grant.

 Find these stories and many more like them on our Facebook page!

A foster home becomes the vital bridge between a rescued shelter dog’s past and its future as a veteran’s service companion. By opening your home for a short time, you give that dog the chance to decompress, feel safe, and learn the basics of good manners. You also play a key role in helping our trainer determine whether the dog is a strong candidate for service work. It’s a meaningful, hands-on way to change a dog’s life, and ultimately, a veteran’s life too.

Interested in becoming a foster? Apply here

Information from our trainer, Lisa, about the command "come":

Imagine this scenario: the front door of your home is left open, and your dog bolts toward the busy neighborhood street. You freeze in fear as the reality of what could happen floods your mind. Your dog is nearly at the edge of your front yard when, suddenly, your dog‑training lesson kicks in. Instinctively, you call out in a loud, firm voice: “COME!” Your dog responds immediately turning and sprinting back to you as fast as possible. In that moment, you realize that all the practice you put into training the “come” command has paid off, and you may have just saved your dog’s life.

The key to teaching a reliable “come” command is to make it as fun as possible and to offer a big, positive reward when the dog reaches you. One effective technique is to turn the command into a game of hide‑and‑seek inside your home. Family members can join in, too. While someone holds the dog, you hide in a room and then call the dog. When the dog finds you, reward them with a treat or toy and celebrate with praise and petting.

For service dogs in particular, a dependable “come” command is more than a convenience — it’s a critical safety skill. Service dogs must be able to return to their handler instantly and without hesitation, even in distracting or high‑stress environments.

How does a Service Dog differ from an Emotional Support Animal or a Therapy Dog?

A Service Dog is defined and protected by law as a dog that is individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate the disability of his owner. A service dog requires a great deal of specialized training; is considered an assistive device by the ADA, and is permitted to accompany his disabled owner anywhere the public is permitted. Service Dogs fall under the broader category of Assistance Dogs, which also includes Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. A Service Dog has been trained to perform a minimum of three (3) tasks specific to its handler’s disability. It is allowed by law to accompany its handler to public places such as the veteran’s work place, restaurants, buses, stores etc. These are rights set forth in the American Disability Act (ADA).

An Emotional Support Animal is prescribed by a person’s doctor who feels that the presence of the animal will improve his disabled patient’s mental health. Little or no training is required. Similar to pets, these dogs do not have to perform tasks for their disabled owner, nor do they have public access rights.

A Therapy Dog is a pet that has been trained to accompany his owner to visit facilities like hospitals and nursing homes for the benefit of the people living or staying there. A therapy dog is legally a pet, and does not have public access rights without the permission of a facility owner. A Therapeutic Companion Dog will not be allowed to enter most public venues. Exceptions are airplane cabins and living in non-pet friendly housing.

Buddy has given Monika more independence. Monika isn't as reliant on me to leave the house. She has her Battle Buddy. He has also helped her with pawsitive activities to focus on.

-Jeff (Buddy's Dad)

"Save a Veteran, Rescue a Dog"