Oh Behave!

Shannon Walker is the founder and CEO of Northwest Battle Buddies (NWBB)1, a remarkable nonprofit dedicated to providing professionally trained service dogs to combat Veterans battling PTSD, at no cost to the Veteran. With a professional dog training career spanning nearly three decades, Shannon is renowned for her profound dedication and tireless service to our nation's heroes.

Born in Pendleton, Oregon, Shannon's lifelong passion for dogs and training propelled her into the world of Schutzhund—a European canine sport renowned for testing a dog's tracking, obedience, and protection skills. Training under the tutelage of 1988 world Schutzhund champion Gene England, Shannon acquired extensive experience and knowledge in this specialized training method. Her diligence led to a decade-long competitive career at local, regional, national, and international levels, culminating in her winning the 2003 European Championship in Diest, Belgium.

Shannon's dedication to canine development is exemplified by her successful establishment of Man's Best Friend Boarding and Training Kennel in Battle Ground, Washington, in 1997. Over the years, Shannon and her team have trained thousands of dogs, addressed various behavioral issues, and provided solutions for both family pets and service dogs.

In 2011, Shannon was approached by a U.S. Veteran of the Iraq conflict who sought her assistance with his service dog. Deeply moved by the transformative impact of the service dog on this Veteran's life, Shannon was inspired to found Northwest Battle Buddies in 2012. To date, NWBB has partnered hundreds of professionally trained dogs with Veterans from all branches of the U.S. military, with Shannon overseeing the extensive training and care of all dogs and handler instruction provided to each Veteran.

Embodying her commitment to broadening the reach of her expertise, Shannon launched Shannon Walker Unlimited LLC in 2022, which produces a YouTube channel, “Shannon Walker: The Pack Leader.”2 Her free instructional videos provide invaluable training tips and do-it-yourself solutions for dog owners grappling with various behavioral issues.

In May 2023, Shannon was appointed Executive Director of the Association of Service Dog Providers (ASDP)3, a coalition of non-profit service dog providers committed to aiding Veterans suffering from post- traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. In the same year, she joined the board of directors for the American Service Dog Access Coalition (ASDAC)4, an organization working towards streamlining the air travel process for service dog teams and reducing challenges faced by airport security personnel.

In 2024, Shannon was featured in the national publication Woman's World 5 and appeared on the Good Morning America (GMA) 6 morning show. Her inspiring work also caught the attention of CBS News 7, ABC News 8, and Fox News 9 where she was highlighted for her contributions to veteran support through service dogs. Shannon's inspirational work has drawn attention from various platforms. Her TEDX Talk in 2019 titled “PTSD and Service Dogs: Beneath the Surface”10 has reached a wide audience, and she frequently appears on nationally syndicated FOX News Radio as a subject matter expert on issues related to service dogs, Veterans, and PTSD.

Shannon states, "I am inspired by the resilience and spirit of the Veterans we serve. These heroes have given so much for our nation, and it's our turn to support them. Our mission remains focused on enhancing their independence and dignity through the provision of service dogs. I am deeply committed to this cause and look forward to creating a future where no Veteran has to wait to regain their freedom."

Shannon Walker's lifelong commitment to improving the lives of Veterans through her expertise in dog training defines her outstanding professional journey. Her relentless dedication to enhancing the independence and dignity of Veterans is truly emblematic of her profound respect for the heroes of our nation.