Battle Buddy Bulletin: Edition 2
November 2025
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Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We wish all of you a very happy day and a joyous upcoming Christmas holiday season. As I write this article, I find it hard not to exceed my “authorized space” because all of the great things that have occurred over the past several months.
First, to our wonderful volunteers and Vet Teams who have assisted in so many events…Thank you! You are the reason we can continue outreach to the community and recruit those applicants for our life-saving program. Your constant physical presence and efforts let everyone know we are dedicated to making our mission of “Saving lives at both ends of the Leash” happen.
Second, to our awesome donors and sponsors…You are so very special to us! Whether through your generous donations or hosting some of the remarkable events listed in this newsletter, you fund the mission and make the mission possible. We receive no federal or state funding, so your thoughtful contributions are the primary reason we stay in business and are able to assist our military heroes. You allow us to save lives, both those of our veterans and our rescued pups.
Lastly, I want to thank our veterans who have stepped up to take advantage of our program and encourage those who may feel hesitant about receiving a service dog to rest assured that we make it as easy for you as we can. It is a big step, however, we are with you before training starts, during, and after the formal program ends to ensure you (and your family) continue to not just survive, but to thrive! Ask any of our graduates…we are all family.
Again, thank all of you and enjoy this holiday season which veterans have helped secure for our great country!
Dennis Krebs
Executive Director, Healing Paws for Warriors, Inc.
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Sandy Bags on the Bay
Rotary Satellite Club of Destin Sunset
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The Destin Rotary Sunset Club knows how to have a good time! Thank you to them, the sponsors, the participants and our volunteers for going above and beyond to make this cornhole tournament a great success!
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United Fidelity Bank’s Community Day
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What a great way for us to meet new people and get our name out in the Fort Walton Beach community.
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11th Annual Eggs on the Beach
Bay Breeze Patio
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Thank you Swiftly Catered for supporting us and providing DELICIOUS bites. First Place Judges Choice! We love this event and seeing all the people that come out to enjoy good food, and support good causes.
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Full Throttle for Vets Car Show
Pensacola Jeeps
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Thank you to Pensacola Jeeps for sponsoring this awesome event to assist us in our mission. Their volunteers worked hard on this and we appreciate it so much! We had a great time meeting all of the volunteers and participants.
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The annual Dog Daze event hosted by FWB Chamber was once again a big hit! We love seeing all the dogs come out!
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The Gryms Men once again showing their support for us and raising awareness with a local car show and free haircuts.
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Military Family Appreciation Day
FWB Chamber
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Our volunteers, board members, new students, and graduates were on hand to share information about the Healing Paws for Warriors life-saving program and the successes in helping veterans and their families now thrive in their activities of daily living.
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The past few months have been busy, and we couldn't have accomplished everything without our dedicated volunteers and the support of our community!
Find these stories and many more like them on our Facebook page!
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Volunteer Meetings
Every 2nd Saturday of the month at Task Force Pizza in FWB.
*We will not be having our December volunteer meeting due to the holidays.
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Veterans for Vets Disc Golf @ Ferry Park FWB
November 29
Sign up here if you'd like to volunteer at the event:
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FWB Christmas Parade
December 1st
Sign up here if you'd like to volunteer at the event:
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HP4Ws Graduation @ AF Armament Museum
April 11
Sign up here if you'd like to volunteer at the event:
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It’s important to have an understanding of how a service dog is defined, because not every dog will meet these requirements. According to the Department of Justice’s 2020 regulations, Americans with Disability (ADA), under titles II & III, a service animal is a dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Information from our trainer, Lisa, about the Block Task:
A commonly used task command by service dog handlers in public setting is the block task. One of the functions of the block task, when performed by the dog, provides its handler with an element of safety and security. The dog is trained, on command, to position itself either in front of or behind the handler in a manner that creates a barrier between the handler and individuals or things. We practice this command with "things" in various stores and situations.
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We are wrapping up our current class and getting ready for the next class in January. Training has been amazing and as always we couldn't do it without the community granting us public access in their stores and restaurants.
Meet Shaye (Aussie Doodle) and Rita (Black-mouthed Cur/Malinois mix). These two pups are currently in training with us to become full-fledged service dogs. Shaye is training with her veteran, and Rita is in training for the next class. Both are doing great!
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Q&A: An interview with one of Healing Paws' K-9 heroes.
1. What is your name?
Zeke
2. What is your breed?
Labrador Retriever
3. What is your age?
3 years old
4. Who is your veteran and when were you first partnered together?
My Veteran is Scott, we were paired together in March 2024.
5. What are some of your favorite activities when you're not working?
Chasing squirrels and the occasional neighborhood cat.
6. What are your favorite treats and toys?
I'm a simple dog, I like Bully Sticks and a good Nike dri- fit sock in my mouth to play with.
7. What are some ways in which you help your veteran?
Constant companionship, blocking and covering and I’m a good excuse sometimes for my veteran to take a break from situations. I also help in social situations because humans like to talk to and pet me and this eases the social tension. I make it possible for my veteran to be comfortable leaving the house and enable him to live a more normal life.
8. What are some ways in which you help your family?
Vacations! This summer, I got to go on a sweet boat with a poop deck! Also, each one of my family members has a special connection with me. I help relieve the burden that PTSD can have on my family by service to my veteran the way I was expertly trained. My mom Kendra also wrote something to share (See Below).
9. What was a favorite vacation?
Alaskan cruise, road trip to east coast, Counting Crows concert in New Orleans.
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Being the wife of a veteran with a service dog has been an unexpected gift—one that’s brought healing not just for my husband, but for me as well. Life after service hasn’t been easy. The invisible wounds my husband carries—PTSD, anxiety, and the emotional weight of his experiences—often made our home feel like a battlefield of its own. When his service dog, Zeke, came into our lives, I expected the dog to help him.
What I didn’t expect was how much that Zeke would also help me.
Before Zeke, I felt like I always had to be “on”—hyper-aware of triggers, anticipating Scott’s reactions to these triggers , and constantly trying to hold everything together. The arrival of Zeke created a shift. This incredible animal, trained to sense my husband’s distress before it even surfaces, has become an emotional buffer and brought a calm we haven’t felt in years. The pressure has eased. I can breathe again. I am not the only one watching over him anymore.
The dog has done more than provide support—he has helped restore a sense of normalcy and even joy in our lives. I have my husband back, our children have their father back! I’ve watched my husband smile more, sleep better, and take steps outside the house he never would have taken alone. But for me, the most powerful impact has been the companionship. On days when the weight of caregiving feels overwhelming, Zeke is there—offering comfort, loyalty, and a quiet reminder that we are not alone in this. In many ways, Zeke has become a partner in my healing too.
- Kendra ( Zeke's Mom)
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"Save a Veteran, Rescue a Dog"
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