Shelter Dogs for Veterans

Cheryl Kaye on Pet Life Radio

Fabulous show with Sharon Callan who trains dogs to comfort our returning soldiers who suffer from PTSD.  She is very unique in the way she trains these wonderful dogs.  She seems to know what dog has the gift.  She has been doing this for many years and both the Soldier and the Dog find a forever home and purpose.  She is an Angel. 

BIO:


After finding out I had stage 3 colon cancer and only a 30 percent chance of survival, I found solace while volunteering at an animal shelter. To improve my dog training skills, I enrolled in Animal Behavior College and obtained certification.  It was while training the dogs of local veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries that I noticed how these dogs had a calming effect on their owners, provided emotional support and improved the quality of their lives.

Inspired, I co-founded Shelter Dogs for Veterans, a nonprofit located in Talking Rock, Georgia, that provides veterans with service dogs.  I train dogs from kill shelters, match them with veterans and train them to address specific needs such as turning on lights, opening doors and handling different social situations.

I also volunteer for Pets For Vets and hold additional credentials. I’m a therapy dog trainer and member of Therapy Dogs Inc., an instructor and evaluator for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers Canine Life and Social Skills Program, a Canine Good Citizen evaluator, a Train a Dog Save a Warrior (TADSAW) trainer and a member of the Wounded Warrior Program.

My goal is to save as many dogs as possible from kill shelters and rescues by matching them with veterans in need.