Graham Bloem, founder of San Diego-based nonprofit Shelter to Soldier, received the 2016 Tailwaggers Foundation’s Waggy Award for community service at a celebration in Hollywood.
Bloem founded the nonprofit four years ago to rescue and train dogs from local shelters to become psychiatric service animals for post-9/11 injured combat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
Bloem pointed to the growing problem of dogs in the U.S. shelter system. "Often they're there because they were left alone and destroyed the sofa, a favorite pair of shoes, or the backyard. Then they escaped, became a runaway, or were sent to a shelter. The CleverPet can help stop this problem. A dog with a job is a happy dog."
The goal is to save two lives at a time, and on Friday night, a fundraiser was held to benefit a non-profit that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be service animals for military veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
The fundraiser runs alongside the Del Mar International Horse Show Charity Class show in the VIP arena room at the Del Mar arena. The event starts at 5 p.m. at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., with music, art, live and silent auction, drawings and dog sponsorship opportunities.
“Our core mission is saving lives two at a time,” says Graham Bloem, founder, president, and head trainer of Shelter to Soldier. “And we’re actually saving families in many cases.”
Biggs Harley-Davidson in San Marcos will host a celebrity ride starting at 9 a.m. Aug. 29, to benefit Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to become certified psychiatric service companions for post-9/11 combat veterans with PTSD and/or traumatic brain injuries.
"When Vic received Kira, everything changed. He found new purpose and focus, and slowly the man I knew as a husband began to reappear. In the July/August issue of Yoga Digest, Jenn Bodnar shares a beautiful success story about the work Shelter to Soldier is doing.
Plato partner organization, Shelter to Solider - A non-profit organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be psychiatric service companions for wounded combat veterans. Every 63 minutes a U.S. veteran commits suicide and every 11 seconds an animal is euthanized; Shelter to Soldier works to aid and partner together two- and four-legged friends. Through the Wags Back program, Plato will fund the complete training of one dog (named Plato) at the San Diego-based training school. In addition, every Shelter to Soldier dog adopted will go home with wholesome, all natural Plato treats.
Throughout 2015, Plato Wags Back will directly aid three California rescue-based organizations; Shelter to Soldier, Fresno Bully Rescue and Labsandfriends.org that feed and care for homeless dogs or help enhance the lives of veterans who need assistance animals.
It’s the day after Memorial Day, but Plato Pet Treats wants to do more than just take a day off work. That’s why the California-based company is pleased to announce its first-ever Plato Wags Back program – in 2015, the program will directly aid three California rescue-based organizations – Shelter to Soldier, Fresno Bully Rescue and Labsandfriends.org – that either feed and care for homeless dogs or help enhance the lives of veterans who need assistance animals.
Two causes we love and support, animal adoption and our military, are coming together in one great event this Thursday, March 26th…. Fine Magazines Spring Exposure Fashion Show 2015 to support Shelter To Soldier.
Join us as we host the event sponsored by Schubach Aviation with funds raised benefiting our soldiers with PTSD.
In March of 2015, BuddhiBox supported Shelter to Soldier, a San Diego 501c3 non-profit organization that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be psychiatric service companions for wounded combat veterans. It is estimated that every 63 minutes, a US Veteran commits suicide. That is an average of 23 precious lives a day…Every 11 seconds, an animal is euthanized in our nation. S2S believes it is time to step up, create change and support programs that provide services for our troops at home and those that help save our 4-legged angels with no voice. The founders, Kyrie and Graham Bloem, allowed us to ask them a some questions about the program.
Rancho Santa Fe Estate and Fine Jewelry will be hosting a family- and pet-friendly Holiday Open House Celebration from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
A portion of all event sale proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit Shelter to Soldier. All guests who attend to purchase jewelry that night, or who preview items that night and return to buy items by Dec. 31, will contribute to the donation back to the charity. Opportunity drawing items include an Anna Beck gold cuff from Rancho Santa Fe Estate and Fine Jewelry, a silk scarf from the White Rainbow Collection, a turtle sculpture from Rock-n-Rusties, and a gift basket from Beautiful You Skin and Body Rejuvenation.
A portion of the company's net profits is directed toward organizations that shelter and rehome dogs that have been lost, abused or abandoned. Earlier this year, Schubach Aviation kicked off another yearlong fundraising campaign to donate one cent for every mile flown by its fleet to Shelter to Soldier, a non-profit organization whose mission is to train select shelter dogs and place them with U.S. military veterans afflicted with PTSD. Last year, the company donated a total of $9,374 to Shelter to Soldier and this year it expects to raise around $11,000. "Everyone at our company cares deeply about dogs, and supporting Shelter to Soldier is a way for us to help save lives, two at a time," Henry Schubach tells Giving Back Magazine.
Meet Graham Bloem, co-founder in September 2012 with his wife, Kyrié, of Shelter to Soldier, a non-profit organization dedicated to training psychiatric service dogs as protector-companions of Post 9/11 combat veterans diagnosed with the invisible wounds of post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. On Nov. 10, Bloem and STS volunteers gathered for a Veterans Day eve graduation celebration with La Mesa Navy veteran Vic Martin, family, friends and supporters, to acknowledge official adoption of his new service dog, Kira.
Patriotism runs deep at Southwest Airlines, and they are proud of all those who serve, especially the Active Duty, Reservists and Veterans that are part of the Southwest Family. Southwest honors Veterans, the sacrifice these heroes make, and the unbreakable bond many soldiers have with their dog. In San Diego there are various organizations dedicated to assisting and enhancing the lives of our military heroes.
Shelter to Soldier is rescuing shelter dogs and training them to be psychiatric service companions for Veterans. They also provide military personnel battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or other disabilities with a service dog from a local animal rescue or shelter. Dogs on Deployment provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner's service commitments.
San Diego 6's Marc Bailey talks to Shelter to Soldier about their upcoming event to raise money for wounded veterans.
Graham Bloem, Shelter to Soldier:
Shelter to Soldier and Graham Bloem have created a solution to decrease the amount of shelter/rescue dogs that are being euthanized in San Diego County. By training these rescue dogs to become certified service companions, Mr. Bloem is increasing their chances of being adopted into forever homes. In addition, Mr. Bloem places these highly trained rescue dogs with U.S. combat veterans suffering from psychological and emotional trauma from recent wars. Mr. Bloem has also created a team of three therapy dogs that visits VA hospitals throughout San Diego County to help soldiers suffering from combat related mental and physical disabilities. Shelter to Soldier’s therapy team visits these hospitals on a weekly basis to provide support to military veterans.
Downtown San Diego — Shelter to Soldier, a local non-profit that rescues shelter dogs and trains them as service companions for recent combat veterans suffering from PTSD, is hosting its 2nd annual benefit 6 to 10 p.m. July 28 at The Ultimate Skybox, 350 10th Ave. in downtown San Diego.
On Monday, July 28, at 6pm, Shelter To Soldier presents a benefit at The Ultimate Skybox downtown featuring a special screening of Bucket List starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, along with an exclusive Q & A with the film’s producer and screenwriter Justin Zackham.
“Shelter to Soldier is fulfilling a critical need, saving lives two at a time,” said Schubach. “Schubach Aviation is proud to align its name with an organization with such a worthwhile mission.”
There’s something very powerful about the bond between people and
pets. As a professional dog trainer for more than a decade, Graham Bloem
has developed an insider’s eye into the psyche of canine companions, and
since August 2012, through his San Diego-based nonprofit organization
Shelter to Soldier, he’s tapped into the unconditional love of the animal to
help save some of society’s most vulnerable citizens: military personnel
suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Through Shelter to Soldier, the rescued 15-month-old terrier/bulldog mix is off to a good start to becoming a certified service companion.
Schubach Aviation, a leading San Diego private air charter firm with a huge heart for both dogs and veterans, is sponsoring Charlie. The company’s donation will cover the costs of training, housing and feeding Charlie, and pay for his medical care, equipment, travel and grooming while he goes through the program.
Shelter to Soldier founder Graham Bloem was recently awarded the 10News Leadership Award at Schubach Aviation. The distinction recognizes someone who provides leadership by making San Diego a better place to live, standing up for those who need help, has initiated or created solutions for others, is a role model and fulfills a local need — thereby improving the quality of life for all San Diegans.
The Shelter to Soldier program is a non-profit organization that rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them to be valuable service companions for psychologically wounded combat veterans.
“I’ve been a professional dog trainer for 13 years,” said Graham Bloem of Shelter to Soldier. “The inspiration for this organization came from my training help with ‘Nubs, The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle’ (NY Times bestselling book). Through my friendship with (Marine Major Brian Dennis) and Nubs, I saw the true benefits of the relationship between him and his best friend. Brian told me that while he was in Iraq, his friendship with Nubs and the unconditional and nonjudgmental love he offered was what provided him with a sense of hope.”
For nearly all his life, he’s known only rejection and isolation. But “Charlie”, as the Schubach Aviation team has named him, is now on his way to becoming a certified service companion dog and the cherished wingman for a U.S. veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as he or she navigates the hardships of daily civilian life.
Schubach Aviation is San Diego’s premier private air charter firm, with headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif. The company’s sponsorship will cover costs to specially train, house and feed Charlie, as well as pay for medical care, equipment, travel and grooming costs, as he goes through Shelter to Soldier’s three-step training program.
Ranch & Coast and Schubach Aviation team up to support Shelter to Soldier by naming STS the beneficiary of the Best Of Party!
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It's often said that man knows no greater depth of friendship and loyalty than that of a dog. It was an affinity for dogs that brought together Schubach Aviation and Shelter to Soldier.
Fly Private. Save a Dog. Help a Veteran.
Schubach Aviation stands by Shelter to Soldier in May's issue of Ranch & Coast Magazine.
Shelter to Soldier is hosting a fundraising event at Sally and Henry’s Doghouse Bar and Grill on April 26, 2013 from 5-11 pm to help defray costs for shelter dogs that Graham Bloem is committed to saving and training to connect with soldiers suffering from PTSD through the non-profit. Dog lovers interested in assisting soldiers with PTSD may bring their dogs to enjoy a great dining and drinking experience with the comfort in knowing that a portion of their bill will go directly to Shelter to Soldier to support the non-profit’s cause.
Read more: San Diego Pets Magazine - Shelter to Soldier and Sally and Henry’s Doghouse Join Together to Raise Funds April 26 2013
PACIFIC BEACH, Calif.- A local non-profit organization called “Shelter to Soldier” is connecting dogs that need homes with service members who need a service companion.
The KPRi Morning Show with Madison:
Dog Trainer Graham Bloem joined us for a special Dog Lover's 8@8 this morning and reminded us why a dog is man's best friend and a veteran's favorite companion...
Experienced, knowledgable, patient and above all passionate, Graham Bloem is a powerhouse in the world of Dog Training. He is a first-hand example of the incredible evolutionary changes between the intimate relationship of dog and human. With over 10 years working with canines, Bloem has created an extraordinary non-profit program that rescues shelter dogs and trains them to be service companions for Veterans, what he calls Shelter to Soldier.
The Halloween Pet Costume Contest will happen at 4:15pm during Trick or Treat on MAGIC Street and will be judged by Dog Trainer Graham Bloem from Specialty Dog Training™, Jessica Geurke from Helen Woodward Animal Center and Linda Septon from Chula Vista Animal Care Facility.
Graham Bloem talks about Shelter to Soldier, our non profit organization that rescues dogs and trains them as service animals for our troops.
Bloem has gained tremendous respect from San Diego’s highest profile animal rescue organizations and programs. Today he is proudly supported by San Diego Animal organizations such as San Diego’s Helen Woodward Animal Center, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, as well has been countlessly featured on San Diego news stations such as KFMB CBS 8, , FOX 5 San Diego, and NBC San Diego.
"Because of their intelligence, their willingness to work, the alertness, their speed, it's exactly why they're a perfect fit for the military," said Graham Bloem.
One was the leader of an 11-man U.S. Marine counterinsurgency force on the Iraq-Syria border. The other, the scrappy leader of a wild pack of 11 dogs living in abandoned ruins and subsisting on garbage.
The frozen, war-ravaged desert and ruins of Iraq are in the past for this dog. The German shepherd-border collie mix that was rescued and nursed back to health by Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and his men arrived in Chicago on Wednesday on a Royal Jordanian Airlines flight. Nubs flew out again Friday on an American Airlines jet, landing in the afternoon at San Diego's Lindbergh Field before heading to his new address.
It's been an intense 10-day training mission for the seven Iraqi puppies waiting to be reunited with Camp Pendleton Marines who adopted them.
"It's how the dog learns to be more domineering, more bossy," says Graham Bloem, a certified advanced dog trainer in San Diego, Calif., who works with numerous dog rescue groups and shelters.