Shelter to Soldier and San Diego Pet Adopters Celebrated by Petco Love
San Diego pet adopters’ stories selected as winners in annual Petco Love Stories campaign, surprising Shelter to Soldier with a $6,000 lifesaving grant award. Now Shelter to Soldier Can Earn $25K More with Public’s Vote.
Shelter to Soldier (STS) was surprised with a $6,000 check from Petco Love during a celebration at Petco in Oceanside on Tuesday, December 7th, all thanks to stories submitted by San Diego residents Nicky Moore and Dustin Potash in the Petco Love Stories campaign.
Nicky and Dustin’s heartwarming stories of how their adopted dogs Moose and Nigel, respectively, changed their lives were selected as two of the 100 Love Stories winners from across the country this year. Now STS can earn up to an additional $25,000, but they need the community’s support. From now through Dec. 15, noon CST, the public can vote for Shelter to Soldier’s winning stories in the People’s Choice competition at petcolove.org/lovestories.
“Nicky and Dustin’s stories show how adopted pets change our lives for the better. We are so thankful that they shared their experiences in the annual Petco Love Stories campaign to help us receive a grant award. These funds will help us bring more rescue dogs in need together with loving veteran recipients,” said Kyrie’ Bloem, Vice President at Shelter to Soldier. “Now you can help us save even more dogs’ lives and continue to serve veterans in need by voting for their stories online in the People’s Choice competition.”
People’s Choice Competition: The top five stories with the most votes will earn additional grant funding from $5,000 to $25,000. The deadline to vote is December 15, 2021, noon CST. Winners will be announced before Christmas. To view all 101 stories and vote for a favorite, visit petcolove.org/lovestories.
Winning Stories Background: Moose (initially adopted by Shelter to Soldier from the San Diego Department of Animal Services Bonita Shelter in 2017) is a retired service dog with an incredible career as a therapy dog and part of Shelter to Soldier’s Canine Ambassadors. Today, he along with his second adopter, Nicky, continue to make a difference in the lives of adults and children alike, bringing caring compassion to active duty military, veterans and their families throughout Southern California. Nicky remarks, “As someone who sees how dogs change lives every day, I am still constantly amazed at how much love and light Moose is able to spread to our community. With wet kisses, kind eyes, and unconditional love and understanding, his infectious personality can brighten even the darkest of days.” To learn more about their love story and VOTE, visit http://wshe.es/hj9YsLgB
Nigel (initially adopted by Shelter to Soldier from local rescue organization Labs & More) serves as a dedicated psychiatric service dog for his handler and Dad, Dustin Potash, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) from traumatic combat experiences. Dustin remarks “Because of Shelter to Soldier and Nigel, I am able to live a normal life again. Most recently with Nigel by my side, I was able to finish my master’s degree and I am now at the tail end of earning my doctorate. This would not have been possible if not for the Shelter to Soldier program allowing me to adopt a service dog at no cost.” To read more about their love story and VOTE, visit http://wshe.es/AMh0l4b8
Since 2013, more than 20,000 adopters have shared how their pets have changed their lives in the annual campaign, with Petco Love granting nearly $7 million to the hardworking animal welfare organizations making these adoption matches possible. For more, visit https://petcolove.org/lovestories/.
About Shelter to Soldier
Shelter to Soldier is a California 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or other psychological injuries. The program also places Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) with active-duty military and veterans, and deploys their Shelter to Soldier Canine Ambassadors, a team of therapy dogs, to provide visits of love and comfort to active-duty military, veterans and their families as well as community partners throughout Southern California Shelter to Soldier is accredited by the Patriot’s Initiative. https://www.sheltertosoldier.org/. To learn more about veteran-support services provided by STS, call 760-870-5338 for a confidential interview regarding eligibility.
About Petco Love
Petco Love is a nonprofit changing lives by making communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we’ve empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $300 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We’ve helped find loving homes for more than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide. Today, our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Is love calling you? Visit petcolove.org or follow at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we’re leading every day.
* Dustin Potash with Nigel, Photo by Allison Shamrell Pet Photography
* Nicky with Moose Photo by Shelter to Soldier
