WEBVTT
1
00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:05.089
Pet Life Radio. This is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk pets.
2
00:00:09.869 --> 00:00:13.080
It's OBE with Arden Moore, the show that teaches you
3
00:00:13.119 --> 00:00:15.140
how to have harmony in the household with your pets.
4
00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:17.859
Join Arden as she travels coast to coast to help
5
00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:21.000
millions better understand why cats and dogs do what they do.
6
00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:25.230
Get the latest scoop on famous faces, their perfectly pampered pets,
7
00:00:25.269 --> 00:00:28.910
and who's walking who in Renton, Tinseltown. From famous pet
8
00:00:28.949 --> 00:00:32.090
experts and best-selling authors to television and movie stars, you'll
9
00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:34.960
get the latest buzz from wagging tongues and tails. garner
10
00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:38.479
great pet tips, and have a doggone fur-flying fun time.
11
00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:41.479
So get ready for the paws and applause as we
12
00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:46.390
unleash your OBE host, America's pet edutainer, Arden Moore.
13
00:00:48.270 --> 00:00:51.189
Paws up, pet pals. Welcome to the OBE show on
14
00:00:51.229 --> 00:00:56.689
PetLife Radio. I'm your host, Arden Moore. Today, let's unite
15
00:00:57.429 --> 00:01:01.570
and salute. Someone who has created an organization that is
16
00:01:01.670 --> 00:01:08.099
dedicated to pairing highly skilled dogs with military veterans in need.
17
00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:12.480
Please join me in welcoming to our show the CEO
18
00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:18.299
and founder of Northwest Battle Buddies. She is Shannon Walker. Welcome, welcome, Shannon.
19
00:01:18.689 --> 00:01:20.250
Well, thank you so much for having me on your show.
20
00:01:20.269 --> 00:01:21.950
I'm super excited. This is going to be great. I
21
00:01:21.989 --> 00:01:22.530
can already tell.
22
00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:23.439
All right.
23
00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:27.060
It is called OBE. So strap yourself in, Shannon. You know,
24
00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.760
Shannon is up in the Northwest and she has done
25
00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:33.120
many good things for veterans. I come from a family
26
00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:35.920
of military, and so I'm very excited that she's on
27
00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:38.620
our program today. We're going to find out exactly what
28
00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:41.260
she does and how you can help. But you all
29
00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:43.719
know the drill. We got to take a quick break.
30
00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:46.170
So sit, stay. We'll be right back.
31
00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:53.810
Time for a pause. Four furry ones actually sit and stay.
32
00:01:54.209 --> 00:02:00.810
All Behave will be right back. Talk to the paw.
33
00:02:01.629 --> 00:02:02.930
Hi, this is Amy Stewart.
34
00:02:03.010 --> 00:02:05.340
Hi, I'm Jane Lynch. This is Mandy Boy. Hi there,
35
00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:07.200
I'm Kate Walsh. This is Catherine Tygo.
36
00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:09.460
There's only one station that gives you the scoop on
37
00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.020
wagging tongues and tails.
38
00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:15.479
And who's walking who in Renton, Tinseltown. Pet Life Radio,
39
00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:16.599
the tail wagger.
40
00:02:18.909 --> 00:02:27.080
Let's Talk Pets on PetLifeRadio.com. All Behave is back with
41
00:02:27.159 --> 00:02:30.120
more tail wagging ways to achieve harmony in the household
42
00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:33.340
with your pets. Now back to your fetching host, America's
43
00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:35.550
pet edutainer, Arden Moore.
44
00:02:36.229 --> 00:02:38.909
Welcome back to the All Behave show on PetLife Radio.
45
00:02:39.030 --> 00:02:43.069
I'm your host, Arden Moore. Our special guest is Shannon Walker.
46
00:02:43.129 --> 00:02:47.219
She is the CEO and founder of Northwest Battle Buddies.
47
00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.729
I love the name. And she's been helping military veterans,
48
00:02:50.770 --> 00:02:53.409
I believe, since 2012. Is that right?
49
00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.020
Yeah.
50
00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:57.699
But let's tick a year off, Shannon. Tell us what
51
00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:01.780
happened to you in 2011 when you came into a
52
00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:05.840
conversation with a veteran of the Iraq conflict.
53
00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:08.990
Yeah, thank you. So I've been a professional dog trainer
54
00:03:09.009 --> 00:03:11.629
for 30 years. Nice. Yes.
55
00:03:11.849 --> 00:03:13.909
And so my father, a little bit of background of
56
00:03:13.949 --> 00:03:17.530
why this mattered when a veteran walked in, is... My
57
00:03:17.550 --> 00:03:19.610
dad taught me to believe in God, family, and country.
58
00:03:19.849 --> 00:03:21.629
And that when you're in the presence of a veteran,
59
00:03:21.650 --> 00:03:23.830
you're in the presence of a hero. Now, why that
60
00:03:23.849 --> 00:03:24.469
was significant.
61
00:03:24.490 --> 00:03:26.689
So my dad served during the Korean War.
62
00:03:26.990 --> 00:03:27.610
Which branch?
63
00:03:27.930 --> 00:03:28.789
He was in the Air Force.
64
00:03:29.150 --> 00:03:29.430
Okay.
65
00:03:29.789 --> 00:03:31.870
And so, yeah, he served during the Korean War. And
66
00:03:31.909 --> 00:03:32.210
he did.
67
00:03:32.310 --> 00:03:33.840
He taught me to believe when you're in the presence
68
00:03:33.849 --> 00:03:35.560
of a veteran, you're in the presence of a hero,
69
00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:38.240
even though he never considered himself one. But I would
70
00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:41.319
watch him, you know, over and over, thank other veterans
71
00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:43.300
for their service with the tears in his eyes. He
72
00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.979
was an incredible patriot. I never watched him do the
73
00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:48.789
national anthem. you know, with his hand over his heart
74
00:03:48.830 --> 00:03:51.050
without tears in his eyes or a quivering chin.
75
00:03:51.069 --> 00:03:52.930
He was an amazing, amazing man.
76
00:03:53.490 --> 00:03:56.189
And so when a veteran came into my for-profit business,
77
00:03:56.430 --> 00:04:00.639
he got my attention. And he wanted his personal dog, Sammy,
78
00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:03.280
Yellow Lab, to be trained to be a service dog.
79
00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:05.879
I had trained service dogs before, but I had never
80
00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.340
trained a service dog for a veteran with PTSD. So
81
00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.599
I just wanted to, you know, I went into the
82
00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:12.500
mode of I do what I do. I checked out
83
00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:15.159
the dog. I checked out her temperament. She was age-appropriate.
84
00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:17.629
And I found out what she needed to task for.
85
00:04:17.649 --> 00:04:19.689
And then he left her with me and I trained
86
00:04:19.709 --> 00:04:23.149
her for many months. And it was when Kevin came
87
00:04:23.209 --> 00:04:26.250
back to me to start his training that it changed
88
00:04:26.329 --> 00:04:26.629
for me.
89
00:04:27.089 --> 00:04:28.949
So Kevin is the veteran. Okay.
90
00:04:29.170 --> 00:04:31.829
Kevin is the veteran. He was a front gunner in
91
00:04:31.870 --> 00:04:32.329
the army.
92
00:04:32.949 --> 00:04:37.000
And his last, this is what I learned in training
93
00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:37.420
with him.
94
00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:38.740
He was a front gunner in the army.
95
00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:43.620
He had been taking illegal drugs to self-medicate after he
96
00:04:43.670 --> 00:04:45.670
got out of the army. By the time he came
97
00:04:45.730 --> 00:04:47.810
to me, he had been clean and sober for over
98
00:04:47.829 --> 00:04:50.529
a year. And he was telling me, you know, my
99
00:04:50.569 --> 00:04:52.829
dad always taught me that freedom wasn't free, but I
100
00:04:52.870 --> 00:04:55.329
had no idea what that meant. And as I started
101
00:04:55.370 --> 00:04:58.370
to hear Kevin's story, because when you're out training, there's
102
00:04:58.410 --> 00:05:00.350
time to stand around and talk in the middle of
103
00:05:00.370 --> 00:05:00.889
what you're doing.
104
00:05:01.310 --> 00:05:01.569
Oh, yeah.
105
00:05:01.670 --> 00:05:04.310
What I learned is that Kevin was still paying a
106
00:05:04.350 --> 00:05:06.850
tremendous price for my freedom, even though he wasn't wearing
107
00:05:06.870 --> 00:05:09.970
a uniform anymore. And he was telling me about his
108
00:05:10.050 --> 00:05:13.379
last firefight as a front gunner in the army. And
109
00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:16.939
six of the men out of his unit that had
110
00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.060
survived that firefight and had come home had committed suicide
111
00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:21.980
on American soil.
112
00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:25.199
I just couldn't believe it. I just I couldn't I
113
00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:26.319
couldn't believe it.
114
00:05:27.029 --> 00:05:29.949
So I started training with him. I'm working with him.
115
00:05:30.110 --> 00:05:32.149
And what I saw that was different about him than
116
00:05:32.230 --> 00:05:35.529
any other experience I had was I saw Kevin find
117
00:05:35.629 --> 00:05:39.170
courage inside himself to lead Sammy places he was afraid
118
00:05:39.189 --> 00:05:41.350
to go alone. And I saw him be willing to
119
00:05:41.389 --> 00:05:43.250
do for his dog what he was unwilling to do
120
00:05:43.350 --> 00:05:43.829
for himself.
121
00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:47.800
Give me an example. What's something that Sammy and your
122
00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:49.740
training enabled Kevin to do?
123
00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:52.759
Well, I just think, okay, this is a service dog.
124
00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.279
We have to go into the mall and we have
125
00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:55.879
to run all of the skills.
126
00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:55.980
In the mall.
127
00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:58.879
And so I say, we're going to the mall and
128
00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:01.060
we show up at the mall. He unloads his dog.
129
00:06:01.189 --> 00:06:03.269
I'm teaching him how to do it. We're walking in
130
00:06:03.730 --> 00:06:05.009
and we're walking around.
131
00:06:05.110 --> 00:06:08.129
And while we're in the mall, I find out he
132
00:06:08.170 --> 00:06:10.860
has not been in a mall in like six years.
133
00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:11.879
Wow.
134
00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:14.319
And I'm like, but you're here today. He goes, because
135
00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:14.959
I have Sammy.
136
00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:17.019
The power of the paw.
137
00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:18.040
Yeah.
138
00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:23.870
Service dogs offer social mobility. Veterans, just like a walker
139
00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:28.110
provides social mobility, a wheelchair provides social mobility. So does
140
00:06:28.230 --> 00:06:30.889
a service dog because they can walk a dog into
141
00:06:30.970 --> 00:06:33.620
places that they would have never gone before. And this
142
00:06:33.649 --> 00:06:36.120
happens over and over for Northwest Battle Babies. We have
143
00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:38.100
veterans that go to the movies that haven't been in
144
00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:40.540
the movies for decades with their service dog.
145
00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.310
They're out in public shopping.
146
00:06:42.850 --> 00:06:44.389
Even the long ones like Odyssey?
147
00:06:44.850 --> 00:06:45.189
Yes.
148
00:06:45.649 --> 00:06:48.230
And what's really funny is when they take pictures of
149
00:06:48.269 --> 00:06:49.850
the back of the dog's head and the dog's head
150
00:06:49.910 --> 00:06:52.399
is up and it's watching the movie right along with him,
151
00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:55.199
which is really, really great. But these are small wins
152
00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.639
and victories that these are barriers that these veterans are
153
00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:00.129
overcoming that we don't even realize. And then I remember
154
00:07:00.189 --> 00:07:02.430
at the top of the escalators, we were learning the
155
00:07:02.529 --> 00:07:06.449
escalators and Kevin started to have a panic attack.
156
00:07:06.790 --> 00:07:09.029
And I had never witnessed this before.
157
00:07:09.589 --> 00:07:12.189
So I started to immediately teach him how to use
158
00:07:12.250 --> 00:07:16.009
her because service dogs task to mitigate a disability, the
159
00:07:16.069 --> 00:07:19.449
symptoms of a disability. And so he was doing grounding
160
00:07:19.509 --> 00:07:21.589
techniques right there at the top of the escalators.
161
00:07:21.629 --> 00:07:24.180
I'm teaching him on the spot of.
162
00:07:24.189 --> 00:07:29.379
How to use her breathing, breathing, Just the tactile reinforcement,
163
00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:32.220
get out of your head, all of the hypervigilance, be
164
00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:34.740
in the moment of now, concentrate on the dog.
165
00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:36.839
We have one veteran, she will slide her.
166
00:07:36.769 --> 00:07:39.589
Hand down the chest of the dog and she starts
167
00:07:39.629 --> 00:07:41.230
to feel the heartbeat and count them.
168
00:07:41.670 --> 00:07:44.730
And that helps bring her back. Awesome. It's just so phenomenal.
169
00:07:45.069 --> 00:07:49.220
So fast forward, Kevin finishes his training. He's walking away
170
00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.610
through the parking lot. And I've accomplished a lot in
171
00:07:51.629 --> 00:07:54.110
the dog world. I've competed internationally. I have the honor
172
00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:56.370
of training with the police officers with their new dogs.
173
00:07:56.610 --> 00:07:58.350
Yeah, I don't know how to say that right. Is
174
00:07:58.430 --> 00:07:59.420
it Schutzen?
175
00:07:59.889 --> 00:08:02.069
Schutzen. It's Schutzen. It's Schutzen.
176
00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:04.459
Yeah, I competed in Schutzen in Belgium.
177
00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:08.660
Thank you, Schutzen. Yes. But when I watched Kevin walk away,
178
00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:11.660
head up and his shoulders back with Sammy at his side,
179
00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.959
I truly felt like I'd made the difference in the
180
00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:17.439
quality of somebody's life. This was different for me.
181
00:08:18.370 --> 00:08:21.240
And so then, but it was over for me then
182
00:08:21.689 --> 00:08:24.339
until the first veteran came into my business because they
183
00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.220
met Kevin with his dog.
184
00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:28.800
And they wanted what he had. And I didn't have
185
00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:29.500
a dog to give him.
186
00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:32.000
So then I thought in my simple-minded thinking, I thought
187
00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.960
if I can just adopt dogs out of shelters, I
188
00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.980
can train them and I can gift them and I
189
00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:38.610
can say thank you for my freedom. And that was
190
00:08:38.610 --> 00:08:41.049
315 service dogs ago in the last 14 years that
191
00:08:41.070 --> 00:08:45.330
we've provided to veterans from all conflicts. Some service dog
192
00:08:45.370 --> 00:08:46.899
organizations only serve post 9-11.
193
00:08:48.190 --> 00:08:51.220
Not us. We serve every conflict. We had Korean. We
194
00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.820
had Korean veterans and we have Vietnam veterans. In fact,
195
00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:57.220
our hundredth service dog went to a Vietnam veteran. I mean,
196
00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:00.259
not to compare, but who better to serve than our
197
00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:01.159
Vietnam veterans?
198
00:09:01.629 --> 00:09:04.110
Absolutely. You know, I need to make you have a
199
00:09:04.149 --> 00:09:07.590
pause for a minute because, folks, this is pretty chilling
200
00:09:07.669 --> 00:09:12.090
and pretty pawsome. And this is a brilliant example, Shannon,
201
00:09:12.590 --> 00:09:15.429
where you know dogs. You're pretty good at dog training.
202
00:09:15.450 --> 00:09:17.909
You're very well respected. We'll talk later in the show
203
00:09:17.929 --> 00:09:22.289
about some of that. But a magic moment happened, and
204
00:09:22.330 --> 00:09:25.269
you didn't let it get away. It really changed your life.
205
00:09:25.750 --> 00:09:28.149
Yeah, it totally did. I loved animals my whole life.
206
00:09:28.269 --> 00:09:29.690
I thought I was going to be a veterinarian.
207
00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:32.220
I was in a vet clinic for a couple years,
208
00:09:32.269 --> 00:09:34.159
and all I did was cry because it broke my heart.
209
00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:36.659
And then it wasn't until, you know, I had some
210
00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:38.519
challenges with my own dog and I sought out a
211
00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:41.259
trainer and I was actually introduced to Schutzen. But the
212
00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:43.240
fact is, I believe that we're all on this earth
213
00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.519
for a purpose. I believe that we are, that God
214
00:09:45.570 --> 00:09:47.629
put us here to do a good work.
215
00:09:48.350 --> 00:09:51.529
And this is mine. You know, Northwest Battleblaze is part
216
00:09:51.690 --> 00:09:54.049
of that, but it's a huge part of that.
217
00:09:54.169 --> 00:09:56.230
And it is a mission and it is a calling
218
00:09:56.269 --> 00:09:57.769
because it's hard.
219
00:09:57.850 --> 00:10:01.279
It's hard to do it. But the why... is so great.
220
00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:04.080
And what is the why? We are free because of
221
00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:06.370
the men and women who fought to provide our freedom.
222
00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:08.690
And I didn't have to do that, but they are dying.
223
00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:11.600
They are dying more at home than they are in battle.
224
00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.919
And we need to serve them.
225
00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:17.470
And this is my way of bringing my gifts, my talents,
226
00:10:17.529 --> 00:10:19.870
building a team, like-minded people.
227
00:10:20.429 --> 00:10:22.529
And this is the mission to give back and to
228
00:10:22.649 --> 00:10:25.450
do good in the world. in the way that we
229
00:10:25.490 --> 00:10:25.809
do it.
230
00:10:25.990 --> 00:10:28.190
And it is life-changing. You know, we have so many
231
00:10:28.509 --> 00:10:30.710
family members. You know, we have wives that will come
232
00:10:30.769 --> 00:10:33.289
up and say, you gave me my husband back. Or
233
00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:35.129
a husband is saying, you gave me my wife back.
234
00:10:35.169 --> 00:10:37.299
And we have children who have fathers again.
235
00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:40.139
A really quick story. We had a veteran out of Montana.
236
00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:43.259
And one of the qualifications is they have to provide
237
00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.519
a personal statement. They have to provide a lot.
238
00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.960
There's a lot to qualify for a service dog. But
239
00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:50.720
one of the things was a personal statement. He served
240
00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:52.820
in the Marines. He goes, you want a personal statement?
241
00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:56.139
I'm writing this in the closet. My son and my
242
00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:58.659
wife know to not bother me when I'm here. I
243
00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:01.350
might be here for hours. I might be here for
244
00:11:01.389 --> 00:11:04.470
days because this is where I come to cope. And
245
00:11:04.509 --> 00:11:07.330
I want to live my life again. And I've read
246
00:11:07.529 --> 00:11:10.750
every personal statement, but I will never forget that one.
247
00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.179
And Mark came, his name was Mark, and he came
248
00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:16.360
and we went to serve him with a service dog.
249
00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:18.850
And it was a beautiful golden retriever named Joy.
250
00:11:18.870 --> 00:11:22.269
And when he met Joy, he just, his jaw, he
251
00:11:22.289 --> 00:11:24.549
was trying to be so strong because he's tough. And
252
00:11:24.610 --> 00:11:27.639
you could just see the muscles in his jaw just clenching.
253
00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:30.620
He's so emotional. And he goes... all he could utter was,
254
00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.059
I need joy in my life.
255
00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:33.019
Oh my God.
256
00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.870
He's had joy for over a year and he hasn't
257
00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:39.450
spent one minute in the closet. And his son was
258
00:11:39.649 --> 00:11:42.370
at his graduation and with tears in his eyes, he
259
00:11:42.429 --> 00:11:45.090
came up and he was shaking my hand. He was
260
00:11:45.149 --> 00:11:48.299
standing there all erect, like just holding himself just raised
261
00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:49.200
like 13 year old boy.
262
00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:51.929
And he shakes my hand and Firm grip, straight in
263
00:11:51.970 --> 00:11:54.389
the eyes. And he's like, thank you for helping my dad.
264
00:11:54.850 --> 00:11:55.960
And it's like, what kind of price?
265
00:11:56.049 --> 00:11:59.279
And it's so humbling because it's like, I just provided
266
00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:02.960
the vehicle. Your dad fought for what he has. Your
267
00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:06.889
dad fought to survive and be his best self for you.
268
00:12:07.009 --> 00:12:09.950
I told his son, he did this for you. you know,
269
00:12:10.129 --> 00:12:13.149
and it's just been amazing. And so that's just one
270
00:12:13.309 --> 00:12:14.570
story out of 315.
271
00:12:14.570 --> 00:12:18.360
And there's more to come. But it's like, as hard
272
00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.659
as it is, the why is so much greater than
273
00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.200
the struggle.
274
00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:23.460
And that's why we keep enduring at Northwest Battle Buddies.
275
00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:26.000
That's why we keep saying yes to the next veteran
276
00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.159
that's saying I want a dog.
277
00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.730
So talk to people because we're going to say this
278
00:12:29.769 --> 00:12:32.330
more than once, Shannon, how do people find out about
279
00:12:32.409 --> 00:12:33.490
Northwest Battle Buddies?
280
00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:37.169
They can go on the internet and go to northwestbiblebuddies.org.
281
00:12:37.450 --> 00:12:38.450
These dogs cost $ 25, 000 plus.
282
00:12:41.009 --> 00:12:44.190
But we do not charge the veterans for these dogs.
283
00:12:44.230 --> 00:12:47.909
We provide them free of charge. There's a qualification process
284
00:12:47.950 --> 00:12:50.590
that is strict because not every veteran should have a
285
00:12:50.610 --> 00:12:53.730
service dog and not every veteran needs a service dog.
286
00:12:53.750 --> 00:12:57.220
And it takes our expertise to help veterans navigate if
287
00:12:57.250 --> 00:12:59.120
this is the right choice for them and if it's
288
00:12:59.169 --> 00:13:02.360
sustainable for them. And we also have a responsibility to
289
00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:05.039
the dogs. You know, our dogs are out there and
290
00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.980
we have, I tell our veterans all the time, you're
291
00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:10.259
our mission. but the dogs are our responsibility. So we
292
00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:13.149
have to make sure that there is a sustainability with
293
00:13:13.309 --> 00:13:15.809
what it takes to have a service dog day after day,
294
00:13:15.970 --> 00:13:19.759
year after year, and for it to be successful. But
295
00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.919
we need the help of we the people because we
296
00:13:21.990 --> 00:13:25.210
are a 501c3 and we need fire finances.
297
00:13:25.269 --> 00:13:29.230
We need companies. We need corporate sponsorships. We need anybody.
298
00:13:29.529 --> 00:13:32.009
We need anybody that just is grateful for their freedom
299
00:13:32.029 --> 00:13:33.549
and they want to give back in a way that
300
00:13:33.649 --> 00:13:34.759
truly matters.
301
00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.820
This is a way to do it at Northwest Battle Buddies.
302
00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:38.779
Hey, Pet Pals, we're going to find out how we
303
00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:41.720
can help Northwest Battle Buddies and our veterans after we
304
00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:45.679
take this quick break. So sit, stay. We'll be right back.
305
00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:52.159
Time for a walk on the red carpet, of course.
306
00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:55.710
All Behave will be back in a flash right after
307
00:13:55.730 --> 00:13:56.470
these messages.
308
00:13:58.549 --> 00:14:02.190
Take a bite out of your competition. Advertise your business
309
00:14:02.250 --> 00:14:05.409
with an ad in PetLife Radio podcasts and radio shows.
310
00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:08.940
There is no other pet-related media that is as large
311
00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:12.580
and reaches more pet parents and pet lovers than PetLife Radio.
312
00:14:13.029 --> 00:14:16.899
With over 7 million monthly listeners, Pet Life Radio podcasts
313
00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:21.059
are available on all major podcast platforms. And our live
314
00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:27.830
radio stream goes out to over 250 million subscribers on iHeartRadio, Odyssey, TuneIn,
315
00:14:28.049 --> 00:14:31.190
and other streaming apps. For more information on how you
316
00:14:31.250 --> 00:14:34.710
can advertise on the number one pet podcast and radio network,
317
00:14:34.889 --> 00:14:38.460
visit PetLifeRadio.com slash advertise today.
318
00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.679
Let's Talk Pets.
319
00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.500
Let's Talk Pets.
320
00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:43.559
On PetLife Radio. PetLife Radio.
321
00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:49.009
PetLifeRadio.com. This is Paul Schaefer from The Late Show with
322
00:14:49.049 --> 00:14:52.669
David Letterman. And you are listening to Arden Moore on
323
00:14:52.710 --> 00:14:59.269
The Obehave Show on PetLife Radio. Please tune in. We're
324
00:14:59.370 --> 00:15:01.480
back from the lot. Just checked the paper and we
325
00:15:01.509 --> 00:15:04.779
had a record showing at the box. The letterbox, that is.
326
00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.779
Now back to OBE.
327
00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.940
Here's Arden. Welcome back to the OBE show on Pet
328
00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.620
Life Radio. I'm your host, Arden Moore. We have a
329
00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:16.039
very special guest today. Shannon Walker is the founder of
330
00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:20.149
Northwest Battle Buddies. And I come from a family, a Navy,
331
00:15:20.350 --> 00:15:23.750
an Army. I married one of the first female combat
332
00:15:23.889 --> 00:15:27.309
MPs in the Army. Staff Sergeant, her last name was Newton,
333
00:15:27.330 --> 00:15:31.029
so they called her Staff Sergeant Fig. And I've had
334
00:15:31.090 --> 00:15:33.850
very good friends that were in conflicts like the Vietnam
335
00:15:33.870 --> 00:15:36.490
War and others, and they don't always talk about it.
336
00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.539
My brother was in for 20 years in the Navy.
337
00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.940
He was a CB. So I'm like you. I think
338
00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:45.620
the world's best when we have veterans and dogs. And
339
00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:50.309
you have combined that magically. People want to help you, Shannon,
340
00:15:50.409 --> 00:15:54.649
and it's a long process to legitimately train a real
341
00:15:54.789 --> 00:15:57.509
service dog. You don't slap something on them and take
342
00:15:57.529 --> 00:16:00.909
the little nervous Nelly to the airport to get around
343
00:16:00.950 --> 00:16:04.149
the fees. I do a lot with some other organizations,
344
00:16:04.250 --> 00:16:09.190
and it is a big process. You need help. puppy fosters, right?
345
00:16:09.610 --> 00:16:12.009
So can we talk about, let's talk about that element.
346
00:16:12.049 --> 00:16:15.419
So somebody might be in your area and they know
347
00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:19.100
that you're doing a good job. How can somebody foster
348
00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:21.399
these puppies that may or may not make the program?
349
00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.440
You got to go through everything.
350
00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.259
Yeah, absolutely.
351
00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:26.190
So yes, people who want to be a puppy foster
352
00:16:26.210 --> 00:16:30.309
that are local enough to Washington state, Our foster program
353
00:16:30.730 --> 00:16:33.669
is so significant and it's a great way for people
354
00:16:33.710 --> 00:16:35.490
to give back. They may not be able to give,
355
00:16:35.509 --> 00:16:37.629
you know, thousands of dollars, which I will say any
356
00:16:38.049 --> 00:16:38.590
dollar helps.
357
00:16:38.669 --> 00:16:40.750
There is no small donation. Every donation matters.
358
00:16:41.149 --> 00:16:42.720
But the fact is, is that so if you were
359
00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.720
listening at the beginning of the show, you heard that
360
00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:47.799
I went adopted dogs out of shelters. Well, Northwest Palabase
361
00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.539
is one of the largest service dog providers in the
362
00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:51.740
United States for veterans with service dogs.
363
00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:54.159
The most we've ever provided in one year is 42
364
00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:54.600
service dogs.
365
00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:54.730
Wow.
366
00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:59.990
And for those of you that, for a frame of reference,
367
00:17:00.509 --> 00:17:03.490
at $ 25, 000 a pop, five months of training go into
368
00:17:03.549 --> 00:17:05.529
each dog, and then our veterans train for five weeks.
369
00:17:05.549 --> 00:17:07.369
So that's a lot of work in one year, and
370
00:17:07.390 --> 00:17:10.680
that's a lot to manage. But it starts with our fosters.
371
00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:13.680
So we still take shelter dogs. Dogs are offered to us.
372
00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.359
I don't have to go to the shelter anymore and
373
00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:18.119
look for them. But to do those numbers, you've got
374
00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:22.059
to have incredible training. resources to gather from. But what
375
00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:25.509
I've learned is that, so now we purpose breed. That's
376
00:17:25.529 --> 00:17:27.230
where the foster program comes into.
377
00:17:28.069 --> 00:17:31.609
We purpose breed English Crane Golden Retrievers and we purpose
378
00:17:31.650 --> 00:17:32.910
breed English Labs.
379
00:17:33.309 --> 00:17:35.950
And it doesn't mean that other breeds can't be service dogs.
380
00:17:35.970 --> 00:17:38.410
But one thing Northwest Battle Buddies has learned is that
381
00:17:38.470 --> 00:17:40.670
when our veterans are trying to go into the workforce,
382
00:17:41.150 --> 00:17:43.559
The pit bulls that I adopted out of a shelter,
383
00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.980
the shepherd dog, the German shepherd dogs that we were
384
00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:49.220
training with, different things like that. If it's an intimidating dog,
385
00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:52.640
that is another barrier to our veteran in public. And
386
00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:56.029
we want to eliminate as many barriers as we can
387
00:17:56.049 --> 00:17:58.630
because the service dog is a barrier in itself. The
388
00:17:58.670 --> 00:18:01.049
other thing is, is that no matter what training we do,
389
00:18:01.130 --> 00:18:03.569
we train our dogs for five months minimum. But at
390
00:18:03.589 --> 00:18:05.099
the end of the day, the dog is only as
391
00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.700
good as the handler. The dog's ability to fall to
392
00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:10.440
the skill of the handler. That's why our veterans go
393
00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:14.079
through five weeks of training here on site. But if
394
00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.670
that training starts to fall a little bit, what is
395
00:18:16.730 --> 00:18:20.589
the genetic makeup and tendency of that dog? Well, golden
396
00:18:20.609 --> 00:18:24.730
retrievers and English labs are genetically inclined to be social,
397
00:18:25.170 --> 00:18:27.619
to be loving, to be guidable, to be trainable. So
398
00:18:27.670 --> 00:18:29.960
even if the training falls a little bit, that dog
399
00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.859
is not a liability in public and is not a
400
00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:34.420
liability to the workforce or the family that they're in.
401
00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.680
Not only that, we have tremendous responsibility to our donors
402
00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.059
for those donor dollars.
403
00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.220
And we have a.
404
00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.910
Higher success rate with our we have a higher success
405
00:18:43.930 --> 00:18:46.190
rate with our purpose bred dogs than we are of
406
00:18:47.089 --> 00:18:49.859
the unknown getting a dog out of the shelter with
407
00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:53.400
health clearances and also different breeds that can be mixed in.
408
00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:56.160
And where our fosters come into play is at eight
409
00:18:56.220 --> 00:19:00.480
weeks old, those fosters come and get our puppies. And
410
00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:03.240
we have a tremendous support system for our fosters. We
411
00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:06.319
have our online training program. We have personal.
412
00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:08.900
Training right here, where they can come here on site
413
00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:11.490
and do training. We do group classes. We also have
414
00:19:11.569 --> 00:19:14.089
a foster liaison that is already on the phone with
415
00:19:14.109 --> 00:19:16.630
all the answers. But we provide all the medical for
416
00:19:16.670 --> 00:19:17.529
these foster puppies.
417
00:19:17.589 --> 00:19:21.450
But what we're asking our fosters to do is minimal training,
418
00:19:21.950 --> 00:19:26.329
which includes crate training, housebreaking, respect in your space, things like.
419
00:19:26.250 --> 00:19:30.049
That, and love them. That is our puppy's first family.
420
00:19:30.730 --> 00:19:32.980
And there's a way for the family to give back.
421
00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:35.240
And then they have the pup for sometimes up to
422
00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.539
a year.
423
00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:37.920
And then the dog comes to us for a minimum
424
00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:40.980
of five months of training. But it saves the organization
425
00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:43.809
a tremendous amount of money. And it sets our puppies
426
00:19:43.890 --> 00:19:46.809
up with the best success. And, you know, our fosters,
427
00:19:46.849 --> 00:19:49.069
of course, go through a screening just like our veterans do.
428
00:19:49.089 --> 00:19:49.609
Yeah.
429
00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:54.950
Time it's an incredibly successful program it's a well-oiled machine
430
00:19:54.970 --> 00:19:57.609
and you know we're really we're really grateful for our
431
00:19:57.650 --> 00:20:01.849
fosters they're our leading volunteer task force for sure.
432
00:20:02.609 --> 00:20:05.170
Well, there's other ways too. I'm interested. What is the
433
00:20:05.269 --> 00:20:08.509
pledge a pup idea? Oh, did I do my homework
434
00:20:08.609 --> 00:20:09.299
on you, Shannon?
435
00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.859
You did. I love it. This is the best interview.
436
00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:14.279
You make it so easy for me. So thank you
437
00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:16.279
for that. But our Pledge of Pups.
438
00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.920
So what we do is we highlight a puppy. We
439
00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:20.299
pick a puppy out of a litter. I pick a
440
00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:22.980
puppy out of a litter. And typically it starts with
441
00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:27.420
a naming campaign. So actually on Facebook, we say out
442
00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:29.940
of these five names, then that's the most engagement we
443
00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:32.279
get than anything. I will tell you, we'll have 100
444
00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:34.279
people that are voting for whichever name they want.
445
00:20:34.849 --> 00:20:38.039
And of course, the higher number for that name, that's
446
00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.759
what we named the pup.
447
00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:41.539
But the Pledge a Pup means that people can come
448
00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:44.299
along and they can support that puppy monthly.
449
00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.599
I like that.
450
00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.839
What happens is in the.
451
00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:50.690
Pledge a Pup program, Pledge a Pup donors get to
452
00:20:50.829 --> 00:20:54.490
follow that puppy from eight weeks old till it graduates
453
00:20:54.609 --> 00:20:58.200
with its veterans. So they see that everything is, you know,
454
00:20:58.220 --> 00:21:01.740
what that puppy's discovering at home, the new things, the playing,
455
00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:04.349
you know, the outings, what the puppy is learning.
456
00:21:04.529 --> 00:21:05.509
Sweet. That's smart.
457
00:21:05.609 --> 00:21:09.289
So monthly they get an email about all of that.
458
00:21:09.430 --> 00:21:11.309
And then they get to see when that puppy meets
459
00:21:11.369 --> 00:21:11.890
its veteran.
460
00:21:12.210 --> 00:21:14.190
And then they get to see video and they get
461
00:21:14.230 --> 00:21:16.440
to see what that journey looks like. And then they
462
00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:19.339
get to see the graduation and then even a a
463
00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.779
thank you from the veteran at the end.
464
00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:24.380
So, you know, in a video. So it's just amazing.
465
00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.309
Full circle.
466
00:21:25.349 --> 00:21:28.410
People can come alongside and support that dog.
467
00:21:28.630 --> 00:21:31.390
What they're doing, Pledge a Pup, they're funding that dog
468
00:21:31.690 --> 00:21:32.970
for that veteran.
469
00:21:33.049 --> 00:21:33.950
It's a group of people.
470
00:21:34.009 --> 00:21:37.029
And we have usually two, sometimes three Pledge a Pups
471
00:21:37.089 --> 00:21:37.930
going at the same time.
472
00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:40.759
I feel like the Lion King music should be playing
473
00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.759
up in the background right now. What do you think?
474
00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:46.500
Ah, da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da-da.
475
00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:49.119
We got a new pup. I mean, that is brilliant.
476
00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:53.869
You're getting everyone involved, which is very, very important. I
477
00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:56.130
know you didn't serve, right? I didn't serve.
478
00:21:56.410 --> 00:21:57.309
I did not serve.
479
00:21:57.390 --> 00:21:59.869
My dad did, and I'm a single mom of twins,
480
00:21:59.950 --> 00:22:01.369
and they served in the Army and Marines.
481
00:22:02.069 --> 00:22:05.029
Oh, nice, nice. So what I'm saying, though, is you
482
00:22:05.069 --> 00:22:09.089
don't have to have served to really help out Northwest
483
00:22:09.150 --> 00:22:11.930
Battle Buddies. You just have to, like your dad said,
484
00:22:11.970 --> 00:22:15.829
love God, country, and people who serve, right? And veterans.
485
00:22:16.089 --> 00:22:17.089
I think I remember you saying that.
486
00:22:17.109 --> 00:22:17.509
Yeah, absolutely.
487
00:22:17.829 --> 00:22:18.769
God, family, and country.
488
00:22:19.009 --> 00:22:19.490
Absolutely.
489
00:22:19.930 --> 00:22:22.210
Well, I did want to let people know a little
490
00:22:22.230 --> 00:22:24.170
bit more about you because I know you grew up
491
00:22:24.230 --> 00:22:26.930
in Oregon. My dad grew up in Oregon, too. And
492
00:22:27.130 --> 00:22:30.569
you got this big award in 2003. You want to
493
00:22:30.609 --> 00:22:31.970
talk about that? Yeah.
494
00:22:32.049 --> 00:22:35.069
So Schutzen really— so I had a German Shepherd dog that
495
00:22:35.089 --> 00:22:37.029
was about 10 months old, and the gentleman that I
496
00:22:37.049 --> 00:22:38.690
married— And see how nice I was.
497
00:22:38.730 --> 00:22:40.150
I called him a gentleman because now we're divorced.
498
00:22:40.170 --> 00:22:40.410
Yes.
499
00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.039
He better be a gentleman.
500
00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.380
Yeah.
501
00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:46.400
Yeah. But he he didn't really wasn't a dog guy.
502
00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.980
Who knew it wouldn't work out.
503
00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.240
Right.
504
00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.740
But anyway, he was like, get him trained or get
505
00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.440
rid of him. So for the first time in my life,
506
00:22:52.529 --> 00:22:54.849
I was seeking help to train and I. I was
507
00:22:54.910 --> 00:22:57.650
so blessed to meet a man named Gene England who
508
00:22:57.690 --> 00:23:01.730
won the world championship in Schutzen in 2008. And so
509
00:23:01.910 --> 00:23:05.849
I got exposed to this incredible dog sport that had
510
00:23:06.009 --> 00:23:08.970
such precision and relationship.
511
00:23:08.150 --> 00:23:08.650
With the dog.
512
00:23:08.990 --> 00:23:10.509
And I just couldn't believe that a dog and a
513
00:23:10.549 --> 00:23:13.210
human could move like that. And so I was instantly
514
00:23:13.250 --> 00:23:16.609
in love. I competed for 10 years. And my final
515
00:23:16.710 --> 00:23:19.009
hurrah was I went to Dees, Belgium in 2003 with
516
00:23:19.029 --> 00:23:19.930
a female Rottweiler named Yana.
517
00:23:23.650 --> 00:23:26.440
And in my category, I won.
518
00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:29.339
I competed against 13 countries. So there I was in
519
00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:32.789
Europe by myself on a podium with my Rottweiler between
520
00:23:32.829 --> 00:23:35.450
my legs with a medallion around her neck. And I
521
00:23:35.490 --> 00:23:37.990
got my hand over my heart. And the American National
522
00:23:38.089 --> 00:23:42.390
Anthem is going. And I'm just crying. But I won
523
00:23:42.470 --> 00:23:44.910
with her. And it was actually the last time I
524
00:23:44.950 --> 00:23:46.319
ever walked on a competition field.
525
00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.400
Well, leave on top, man. Leave on top.
526
00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.200
Yeah, that's right.
527
00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:52.259
Yeah, I came home and life happened. So I became
528
00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:55.759
a single mom at that point. So it's fine.
529
00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.420
It's fine.
530
00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:58.369
My journey is my journey. But I'm very grateful for
531
00:23:58.410 --> 00:24:00.869
all of it. But that was an incredible honor.
532
00:24:01.109 --> 00:24:02.750
Your twins know how to sit and stay?
533
00:24:03.009 --> 00:24:05.849
They do. They do. They actually work with me at
534
00:24:06.029 --> 00:24:07.210
Northwest Battle Buddies, too.
535
00:24:07.430 --> 00:24:09.950
They are amazing young men.
536
00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.200
You want to do a shout out to them?
537
00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:15.009
Yeah, Jared Walker and Jacob Walker. Yeah, they served in
538
00:24:15.029 --> 00:24:17.349
the Army and Marines. And they both serve at Northwest
539
00:24:17.390 --> 00:24:20.039
Battle Buddies. Plus, they both own homes here close to
540
00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:22.150
me within 10 minutes. And they're a part of my
541
00:24:22.170 --> 00:24:25.000
life every day. And they're really every mother's dream.
542
00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.960
I'm so grateful.
543
00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:29.519
Now, we also want people to know, in addition to
544
00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:34.420
Northwest Battle Buddies, you help us ordinary two-leggers with issues
545
00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:36.660
with our pets. You know, they're jumping up on us.
546
00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:39.319
They're barking and all that. So talk a little bit
547
00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:42.660
about this YouTube channel you have called Shannon Walker, the
548
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:47.539
Pack Leader. I just subscribed. You guys, 8,000 subscribers, over
549
00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:52.099
550 videos. And I loved what you taught with the
550
00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:55.569
one of the dog that gets really excited to say
551
00:24:55.609 --> 00:24:58.470
hello when you walk in the door with a bag
552
00:24:58.490 --> 00:24:59.829
of groceries, including eggs.
553
00:25:00.289 --> 00:25:02.210
Yeah, no, absolutely. Absolutely.
554
00:25:03.150 --> 00:25:05.589
So, you know, I started training, I started training dogs
555
00:25:05.589 --> 00:25:08.390
30 years ago and I started my for-profit business, Man's
556
00:25:08.430 --> 00:25:11.390
Best Friend. And it was a way for me that
557
00:25:11.450 --> 00:25:13.470
I knew, and it was really ended up being a
558
00:25:13.490 --> 00:25:15.730
saving grace because I did become a single mom and
559
00:25:15.750 --> 00:25:18.130
I was able to raise my boys, had a business
560
00:25:18.170 --> 00:25:20.809
at home. They worked in the business and it was
561
00:25:20.890 --> 00:25:23.299
really a blessing from God that I had, and I
562
00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:25.039
still have that. So I've been, I've had that for
563
00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:27.519
30 years, but seeing the way the world is going,
564
00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:29.440
because it was never my idea to start a YouTube
565
00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:32.700
channel or do stuff online. In fact, I couldn't get
566
00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.960
through my head.
567
00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.220
How am I supposed to help people train their dogs
568
00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.519
when I can't touch their dog?
569
00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.140
Yeah.
570
00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:41.690
And so this has been honestly, this has been one
571
00:25:41.730 --> 00:25:42.670
of the heaviest.
572
00:25:42.390 --> 00:25:44.970
Lifts for me. Really? YouTube channel.
573
00:25:45.029 --> 00:25:45.549
So I am.
574
00:25:45.650 --> 00:25:48.049
Yeah, because I can talk dogs all day, but trying
575
00:25:48.069 --> 00:25:50.970
to film it. My mom is my camera person. So
576
00:25:51.029 --> 00:25:52.039
if you ever. Yeah.
577
00:25:52.630 --> 00:25:55.569
And I'm still learning. I have such a huge learning curve.
578
00:25:55.630 --> 00:25:57.890
But it has been such a blessing. But it's also,
579
00:25:58.230 --> 00:26:00.769
just for your listeners to know, I also have.
580
00:26:00.650 --> 00:26:04.089
An online training program where I meet with people every
581
00:26:04.150 --> 00:26:06.950
two weeks. I'm helping. I'm answering their questions. We have
582
00:26:06.970 --> 00:26:09.039
live training and Q & A. They have courses. I'm
583
00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:12.420
in there every day. So for $ 47 a month, I
584
00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.079
can help people with their dogs no matter where they're
585
00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.619
at in the world.
586
00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:18.200
And that has turned out to be so much fun
587
00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.359
because it's an incredible community.
588
00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.240
And people are doing great things.
589
00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:24.660
So I had no idea that when I saw my
590
00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.670
first Schutzen dog, not only would I compete, not only
591
00:26:26.690 --> 00:26:29.450
would I start a for-profit, and then I have my YouTube,
592
00:26:29.549 --> 00:26:31.390
and then I have my online course, and.
593
00:26:31.289 --> 00:26:32.609
Then I have Northwest Battle Buddies.
594
00:26:32.650 --> 00:26:33.730
Do you sleep, woman?
595
00:26:33.950 --> 00:26:38.529
I do. When I sleep, I sleep very hard. Okay.
596
00:26:38.950 --> 00:26:39.670
I sleep very hard.
597
00:26:39.950 --> 00:26:40.210
Yes.
598
00:26:40.410 --> 00:26:41.019
But I go.
599
00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:43.240
It's go-go. But you know what? Can I say something, though?
600
00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:46.579
But when you're doing what you're called to do, when
601
00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:49.819
you're doing it, it's fuel to you. It doesn't wear
602
00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:53.069
me out. It energizes me. It gives me because I'm
603
00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:55.890
so excited to do it. And there's nothing more important.
604
00:26:56.349 --> 00:26:59.930
So I love dogs. Absolutely. With all my heart. I
605
00:27:00.049 --> 00:27:00.569
always have.
606
00:27:01.150 --> 00:27:04.039
And how can I best help dogs by educating the
607
00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.980
human that owns them?
608
00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:08.069
Because if the human gets it right, the dog has
609
00:27:08.109 --> 00:27:10.210
a good life. When the human doesn't get it right,
610
00:27:10.250 --> 00:27:13.170
the dog suffers. And the human is struggling.
611
00:27:13.509 --> 00:27:17.849
So I've had the privilege of saving, helping save a
612
00:27:17.970 --> 00:27:20.049
lot of dog families.
613
00:27:20.650 --> 00:27:22.799
Dogs that are known biters. Dogs that have bite histories.
614
00:27:22.910 --> 00:27:23.410
All this stuff.
615
00:27:23.430 --> 00:27:26.180
They're scheduled for euthanasia. And we're able to bring understanding
616
00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:29.559
and teaching and transformation. And those dogs are living with
617
00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.940
these people. And it's safe.
618
00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:34.059
For all and there's no amount of money there's no
619
00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:37.829
amount of compensation that makes that awesome it's knowing that
620
00:27:37.869 --> 00:27:40.230
you did good and you made a difference to one
621
00:27:40.269 --> 00:27:42.640
of your greatest loves and so I get to do
622
00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:46.180
this so I know there's more businesses in my future.
623
00:27:46.549 --> 00:27:48.410
You know what? We need to bottle this up, and
624
00:27:48.450 --> 00:27:51.380
we need to sprinkle it everywhere because you just hit
625
00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:53.200
it on the head. When you do what you're supposed
626
00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:56.599
to do, it fuels you, and that is really good.
627
00:27:57.180 --> 00:28:00.970
And you also said that service dogs offer social mobility.
628
00:28:01.269 --> 00:28:04.329
Those are my big two takeaways for you, Shannon Walker.
629
00:28:04.910 --> 00:28:06.789
As we do for all our guests, I don't know
630
00:28:06.809 --> 00:28:09.259
if you've seen any of our episodes, but we ask
631
00:28:09.410 --> 00:28:12.519
all our guests this question. Here you go, Shannon. She's like,
632
00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:14.740
what is she going to ask? My social security number?
633
00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.440
Bank code?
634
00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:20.779
No, just kidding. What pet superpower, dog, cat, orangutan, whatever,
635
00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.920
do you wish you could have and why?
636
00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:27.269
Dogs are just pure. They're pure in their motives. They're
637
00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:29.690
absolutely pure. What you see is what you get.
638
00:28:30.210 --> 00:28:32.869
Dogs do not harbor, so many of my clients, my
639
00:28:32.910 --> 00:28:34.029
dog's mad at me, this and that.
640
00:28:34.210 --> 00:28:34.410
Nope.
641
00:28:34.809 --> 00:28:38.299
Dogs don't have the ability to feel our crap. Dogs
642
00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.019
are immune.
643
00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:42.420
Dogs, they can't be a victim. They totally live in
644
00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:44.779
the moment and they are built with a survival instinct.
645
00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:47.500
And if humans could do that in a pure way
646
00:28:47.829 --> 00:28:50.569
to where there's just no guile, there's no pride, there's
647
00:28:50.609 --> 00:28:52.430
no trauma we're dragging along with it.
648
00:28:52.450 --> 00:28:54.769
There's no victim mindset. There's no blame.
649
00:28:55.470 --> 00:28:57.549
And I mean, maybe that was more than just one thing,
650
00:28:57.589 --> 00:29:02.700
but that dogs are the most pure, honest, true being
651
00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:05.279
that you can have and share your life with. And
652
00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:08.980
so often, for me personally, I've shared my greatest triumphs
653
00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:11.829
and my most tragic events with my dog.
654
00:29:12.210 --> 00:29:15.569
And sometimes that is the safest place to be because
655
00:29:15.609 --> 00:29:16.910
of everything I just said about them.
656
00:29:17.549 --> 00:29:22.400
So if humans could adopt that, we would be a
657
00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.960
better world.
658
00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:25.849
I love it. I love it. We are speaking with
659
00:29:25.910 --> 00:29:29.160
Shannon Walker. She is the founder of Northwest Battle Buddies.
660
00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.829
Tell us again how to find it.
661
00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:33.039
NorthwestBattleBuddies.org.
662
00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:36.390
And then go on her YouTube channel, Shannon Walker, the
663
00:29:36.410 --> 00:29:40.640
PAC leader. You won't be disappointed. You survived... OBEhave. What
664
00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.539
do you think, Shannon?
665
00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.309
I loved it.
666
00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:44.970
This was an amazing interview. I am so grateful that
667
00:29:45.390 --> 00:29:46.150
I got to meet you.
668
00:29:46.509 --> 00:29:47.170
Thank you so much.
669
00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:51.259
Well, my sentiments exactly for you too, Shannon. At this time,
670
00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.960
I want to do a shout out to my producer,
671
00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:56.829
Mark Winter. He is the executive producer of Pet Life Radio.
672
00:29:56.869 --> 00:30:00.269
We're the largest pet podcast network on the planet. Humbly,
673
00:30:00.349 --> 00:30:02.549
you're tuned in to the O Behave show. We have
674
00:30:02.569 --> 00:30:05.490
been on the air since 07. We are the longest
675
00:30:05.630 --> 00:30:08.890
running weekly pet podcast, and my producer and I are
676
00:30:08.930 --> 00:30:13.170
still in our 30s. Just kidding. My passion is saving
677
00:30:13.210 --> 00:30:15.980
pet lives, so I hope You check out Pet First
678
00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:19.630
Aid for you, the number four, the letter U. I'm
679
00:30:19.670 --> 00:30:23.319
a master instructor. I work with ER and critical care veterinarians,
680
00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:28.549
and I do the classes with three super shelter standouts.
681
00:30:29.150 --> 00:30:33.230
Pet Safety Cat Casey, and Pet Safety Dogs Kona and
682
00:30:33.450 --> 00:30:38.440
Nova Six Toes. So we teach everybody from veterans to teenagers.
683
00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:40.599
I hope you check it out. We do it in
684
00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:44.819
person via Zoom and now self-paced courses, and we work
685
00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:47.819
with a lot of great organizations. So until next time,
686
00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:50.940
this is your flea-free host, Arden Moore, delivering just two
687
00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:54.430
words to all you two-, three-, and four-leggers out there. Obehave.
688
00:30:55.430 --> 00:30:58.500
Coast to coast and around the world, it's All Behave
689
00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:01.539
with Arden Moore. Find out why cats and dogs do
690
00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:04.079
the things they do. And get the latest buzz from
691
00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:08.140
wagging tongues and tails in Rin Tin, Tinseltown. From famous
692
00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:11.299
pet experts and best-selling authors to television and movie stars,
693
00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:14.569
you'll get great tail-wagging pet tips and have a fur-flying
694
00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:18.869
fun time. All Behave with America's pet edutainer, Arden Moore.
695
00:31:19.470 --> 00:31:22.890
Every week on demand. Only on PetLifeRadio.com.
1
00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:05.089
Pet Life Radio. This is Pet Life Radio. Let's talk pets.
2
00:00:09.869 --> 00:00:13.080
It's OBE with Arden Moore, the show that teaches you
3
00:00:13.119 --> 00:00:15.140
how to have harmony in the household with your pets.
4
00:00:15.580 --> 00:00:17.859
Join Arden as she travels coast to coast to help
5
00:00:17.920 --> 00:00:21.000
millions better understand why cats and dogs do what they do.
6
00:00:21.320 --> 00:00:25.230
Get the latest scoop on famous faces, their perfectly pampered pets,
7
00:00:25.269 --> 00:00:28.910
and who's walking who in Renton, Tinseltown. From famous pet
8
00:00:28.949 --> 00:00:32.090
experts and best-selling authors to television and movie stars, you'll
9
00:00:32.119 --> 00:00:34.960
get the latest buzz from wagging tongues and tails. garner
10
00:00:35.000 --> 00:00:38.479
great pet tips, and have a doggone fur-flying fun time.
11
00:00:38.700 --> 00:00:41.479
So get ready for the paws and applause as we
12
00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:46.390
unleash your OBE host, America's pet edutainer, Arden Moore.
13
00:00:48.270 --> 00:00:51.189
Paws up, pet pals. Welcome to the OBE show on
14
00:00:51.229 --> 00:00:56.689
PetLife Radio. I'm your host, Arden Moore. Today, let's unite
15
00:00:57.429 --> 00:01:01.570
and salute. Someone who has created an organization that is
16
00:01:01.670 --> 00:01:08.099
dedicated to pairing highly skilled dogs with military veterans in need.
17
00:01:09.239 --> 00:01:12.480
Please join me in welcoming to our show the CEO
18
00:01:12.540 --> 00:01:18.299
and founder of Northwest Battle Buddies. She is Shannon Walker. Welcome, welcome, Shannon.
19
00:01:18.689 --> 00:01:20.250
Well, thank you so much for having me on your show.
20
00:01:20.269 --> 00:01:21.950
I'm super excited. This is going to be great. I
21
00:01:21.989 --> 00:01:22.530
can already tell.
22
00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:23.439
All right.
23
00:01:23.500 --> 00:01:27.060
It is called OBE. So strap yourself in, Shannon. You know,
24
00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:29.760
Shannon is up in the Northwest and she has done
25
00:01:30.099 --> 00:01:33.120
many good things for veterans. I come from a family
26
00:01:33.180 --> 00:01:35.920
of military, and so I'm very excited that she's on
27
00:01:35.959 --> 00:01:38.620
our program today. We're going to find out exactly what
28
00:01:38.680 --> 00:01:41.260
she does and how you can help. But you all
29
00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:43.719
know the drill. We got to take a quick break.
30
00:01:43.799 --> 00:01:46.170
So sit, stay. We'll be right back.
31
00:01:48.920 --> 00:01:53.810
Time for a pause. Four furry ones actually sit and stay.
32
00:01:54.209 --> 00:02:00.810
All Behave will be right back. Talk to the paw.
33
00:02:01.629 --> 00:02:02.930
Hi, this is Amy Stewart.
34
00:02:03.010 --> 00:02:05.340
Hi, I'm Jane Lynch. This is Mandy Boy. Hi there,
35
00:02:05.400 --> 00:02:07.200
I'm Kate Walsh. This is Catherine Tygo.
36
00:02:07.239 --> 00:02:09.460
There's only one station that gives you the scoop on
37
00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:11.020
wagging tongues and tails.
38
00:02:11.259 --> 00:02:15.479
And who's walking who in Renton, Tinseltown. Pet Life Radio,
39
00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:16.599
the tail wagger.
40
00:02:18.909 --> 00:02:27.080
Let's Talk Pets on PetLifeRadio.com. All Behave is back with
41
00:02:27.159 --> 00:02:30.120
more tail wagging ways to achieve harmony in the household
42
00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:33.340
with your pets. Now back to your fetching host, America's
43
00:02:33.439 --> 00:02:35.550
pet edutainer, Arden Moore.
44
00:02:36.229 --> 00:02:38.909
Welcome back to the All Behave show on PetLife Radio.
45
00:02:39.030 --> 00:02:43.069
I'm your host, Arden Moore. Our special guest is Shannon Walker.
46
00:02:43.129 --> 00:02:47.219
She is the CEO and founder of Northwest Battle Buddies.
47
00:02:47.680 --> 00:02:50.729
I love the name. And she's been helping military veterans,
48
00:02:50.770 --> 00:02:53.409
I believe, since 2012. Is that right?
49
00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:54.020
Yeah.
50
00:02:54.319 --> 00:02:57.699
But let's tick a year off, Shannon. Tell us what
51
00:02:57.740 --> 00:03:01.780
happened to you in 2011 when you came into a
52
00:03:02.360 --> 00:03:05.840
conversation with a veteran of the Iraq conflict.
53
00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:08.990
Yeah, thank you. So I've been a professional dog trainer
54
00:03:09.009 --> 00:03:11.629
for 30 years. Nice. Yes.
55
00:03:11.849 --> 00:03:13.909
And so my father, a little bit of background of
56
00:03:13.949 --> 00:03:17.530
why this mattered when a veteran walked in, is... My
57
00:03:17.550 --> 00:03:19.610
dad taught me to believe in God, family, and country.
58
00:03:19.849 --> 00:03:21.629
And that when you're in the presence of a veteran,
59
00:03:21.650 --> 00:03:23.830
you're in the presence of a hero. Now, why that
60
00:03:23.849 --> 00:03:24.469
was significant.
61
00:03:24.490 --> 00:03:26.689
So my dad served during the Korean War.
62
00:03:26.990 --> 00:03:27.610
Which branch?
63
00:03:27.930 --> 00:03:28.789
He was in the Air Force.
64
00:03:29.150 --> 00:03:29.430
Okay.
65
00:03:29.789 --> 00:03:31.870
And so, yeah, he served during the Korean War. And
66
00:03:31.909 --> 00:03:32.210
he did.
67
00:03:32.310 --> 00:03:33.840
He taught me to believe when you're in the presence
68
00:03:33.849 --> 00:03:35.560
of a veteran, you're in the presence of a hero,
69
00:03:35.639 --> 00:03:38.240
even though he never considered himself one. But I would
70
00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:41.319
watch him, you know, over and over, thank other veterans
71
00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:43.300
for their service with the tears in his eyes. He
72
00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.979
was an incredible patriot. I never watched him do the
73
00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:48.789
national anthem. you know, with his hand over his heart
74
00:03:48.830 --> 00:03:51.050
without tears in his eyes or a quivering chin.
75
00:03:51.069 --> 00:03:52.930
He was an amazing, amazing man.
76
00:03:53.490 --> 00:03:56.189
And so when a veteran came into my for-profit business,
77
00:03:56.430 --> 00:04:00.639
he got my attention. And he wanted his personal dog, Sammy,
78
00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:03.280
Yellow Lab, to be trained to be a service dog.
79
00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:05.879
I had trained service dogs before, but I had never
80
00:04:05.960 --> 00:04:08.340
trained a service dog for a veteran with PTSD. So
81
00:04:08.379 --> 00:04:10.599
I just wanted to, you know, I went into the
82
00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:12.500
mode of I do what I do. I checked out
83
00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:15.159
the dog. I checked out her temperament. She was age-appropriate.
84
00:04:15.539 --> 00:04:17.629
And I found out what she needed to task for.
85
00:04:17.649 --> 00:04:19.689
And then he left her with me and I trained
86
00:04:19.709 --> 00:04:23.149
her for many months. And it was when Kevin came
87
00:04:23.209 --> 00:04:26.250
back to me to start his training that it changed
88
00:04:26.329 --> 00:04:26.629
for me.
89
00:04:27.089 --> 00:04:28.949
So Kevin is the veteran. Okay.
90
00:04:29.170 --> 00:04:31.829
Kevin is the veteran. He was a front gunner in
91
00:04:31.870 --> 00:04:32.329
the army.
92
00:04:32.949 --> 00:04:37.000
And his last, this is what I learned in training
93
00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:37.420
with him.
94
00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:38.740
He was a front gunner in the army.
95
00:04:39.519 --> 00:04:43.620
He had been taking illegal drugs to self-medicate after he
96
00:04:43.670 --> 00:04:45.670
got out of the army. By the time he came
97
00:04:45.730 --> 00:04:47.810
to me, he had been clean and sober for over
98
00:04:47.829 --> 00:04:50.529
a year. And he was telling me, you know, my
99
00:04:50.569 --> 00:04:52.829
dad always taught me that freedom wasn't free, but I
100
00:04:52.870 --> 00:04:55.329
had no idea what that meant. And as I started
101
00:04:55.370 --> 00:04:58.370
to hear Kevin's story, because when you're out training, there's
102
00:04:58.410 --> 00:05:00.350
time to stand around and talk in the middle of
103
00:05:00.370 --> 00:05:00.889
what you're doing.
104
00:05:01.310 --> 00:05:01.569
Oh, yeah.
105
00:05:01.670 --> 00:05:04.310
What I learned is that Kevin was still paying a
106
00:05:04.350 --> 00:05:06.850
tremendous price for my freedom, even though he wasn't wearing
107
00:05:06.870 --> 00:05:09.970
a uniform anymore. And he was telling me about his
108
00:05:10.050 --> 00:05:13.379
last firefight as a front gunner in the army. And
109
00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:16.939
six of the men out of his unit that had
110
00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.060
survived that firefight and had come home had committed suicide
111
00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:21.980
on American soil.
112
00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:25.199
I just couldn't believe it. I just I couldn't I
113
00:05:25.300 --> 00:05:26.319
couldn't believe it.
114
00:05:27.029 --> 00:05:29.949
So I started training with him. I'm working with him.
115
00:05:30.110 --> 00:05:32.149
And what I saw that was different about him than
116
00:05:32.230 --> 00:05:35.529
any other experience I had was I saw Kevin find
117
00:05:35.629 --> 00:05:39.170
courage inside himself to lead Sammy places he was afraid
118
00:05:39.189 --> 00:05:41.350
to go alone. And I saw him be willing to
119
00:05:41.389 --> 00:05:43.250
do for his dog what he was unwilling to do
120
00:05:43.350 --> 00:05:43.829
for himself.
121
00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:47.800
Give me an example. What's something that Sammy and your
122
00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:49.740
training enabled Kevin to do?
123
00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:52.759
Well, I just think, okay, this is a service dog.
124
00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:54.279
We have to go into the mall and we have
125
00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:55.879
to run all of the skills.
126
00:05:55.560 --> 00:05:55.980
In the mall.
127
00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:58.879
And so I say, we're going to the mall and
128
00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:01.060
we show up at the mall. He unloads his dog.
129
00:06:01.189 --> 00:06:03.269
I'm teaching him how to do it. We're walking in
130
00:06:03.730 --> 00:06:05.009
and we're walking around.
131
00:06:05.110 --> 00:06:08.129
And while we're in the mall, I find out he
132
00:06:08.170 --> 00:06:10.860
has not been in a mall in like six years.
133
00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:11.879
Wow.
134
00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:14.319
And I'm like, but you're here today. He goes, because
135
00:06:14.360 --> 00:06:14.959
I have Sammy.
136
00:06:15.339 --> 00:06:17.019
The power of the paw.
137
00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:18.040
Yeah.
138
00:06:18.480 --> 00:06:23.870
Service dogs offer social mobility. Veterans, just like a walker
139
00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:28.110
provides social mobility, a wheelchair provides social mobility. So does
140
00:06:28.230 --> 00:06:30.889
a service dog because they can walk a dog into
141
00:06:30.970 --> 00:06:33.620
places that they would have never gone before. And this
142
00:06:33.649 --> 00:06:36.120
happens over and over for Northwest Battle Babies. We have
143
00:06:36.139 --> 00:06:38.100
veterans that go to the movies that haven't been in
144
00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:40.540
the movies for decades with their service dog.
145
00:06:40.779 --> 00:06:42.310
They're out in public shopping.
146
00:06:42.850 --> 00:06:44.389
Even the long ones like Odyssey?
147
00:06:44.850 --> 00:06:45.189
Yes.
148
00:06:45.649 --> 00:06:48.230
And what's really funny is when they take pictures of
149
00:06:48.269 --> 00:06:49.850
the back of the dog's head and the dog's head
150
00:06:49.910 --> 00:06:52.399
is up and it's watching the movie right along with him,
151
00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:55.199
which is really, really great. But these are small wins
152
00:06:55.259 --> 00:06:57.639
and victories that these are barriers that these veterans are
153
00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:00.129
overcoming that we don't even realize. And then I remember
154
00:07:00.189 --> 00:07:02.430
at the top of the escalators, we were learning the
155
00:07:02.529 --> 00:07:06.449
escalators and Kevin started to have a panic attack.
156
00:07:06.790 --> 00:07:09.029
And I had never witnessed this before.
157
00:07:09.589 --> 00:07:12.189
So I started to immediately teach him how to use
158
00:07:12.250 --> 00:07:16.009
her because service dogs task to mitigate a disability, the
159
00:07:16.069 --> 00:07:19.449
symptoms of a disability. And so he was doing grounding
160
00:07:19.509 --> 00:07:21.589
techniques right there at the top of the escalators.
161
00:07:21.629 --> 00:07:24.180
I'm teaching him on the spot of.
162
00:07:24.189 --> 00:07:29.379
How to use her breathing, breathing, Just the tactile reinforcement,
163
00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:32.220
get out of your head, all of the hypervigilance, be
164
00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:34.740
in the moment of now, concentrate on the dog.
165
00:07:34.779 --> 00:07:36.839
We have one veteran, she will slide her.
166
00:07:36.769 --> 00:07:39.589
Hand down the chest of the dog and she starts
167
00:07:39.629 --> 00:07:41.230
to feel the heartbeat and count them.
168
00:07:41.670 --> 00:07:44.730
And that helps bring her back. Awesome. It's just so phenomenal.
169
00:07:45.069 --> 00:07:49.220
So fast forward, Kevin finishes his training. He's walking away
170
00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:51.610
through the parking lot. And I've accomplished a lot in
171
00:07:51.629 --> 00:07:54.110
the dog world. I've competed internationally. I have the honor
172
00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:56.370
of training with the police officers with their new dogs.
173
00:07:56.610 --> 00:07:58.350
Yeah, I don't know how to say that right. Is
174
00:07:58.430 --> 00:07:59.420
it Schutzen?
175
00:07:59.889 --> 00:08:02.069
Schutzen. It's Schutzen. It's Schutzen.
176
00:08:02.120 --> 00:08:04.459
Yeah, I competed in Schutzen in Belgium.
177
00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:08.660
Thank you, Schutzen. Yes. But when I watched Kevin walk away,
178
00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:11.660
head up and his shoulders back with Sammy at his side,
179
00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:13.959
I truly felt like I'd made the difference in the
180
00:08:14.019 --> 00:08:17.439
quality of somebody's life. This was different for me.
181
00:08:18.370 --> 00:08:21.240
And so then, but it was over for me then
182
00:08:21.689 --> 00:08:24.339
until the first veteran came into my business because they
183
00:08:24.480 --> 00:08:26.220
met Kevin with his dog.
184
00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:28.800
And they wanted what he had. And I didn't have
185
00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:29.500
a dog to give him.
186
00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:32.000
So then I thought in my simple-minded thinking, I thought
187
00:08:32.039 --> 00:08:33.960
if I can just adopt dogs out of shelters, I
188
00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:35.980
can train them and I can gift them and I
189
00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:38.610
can say thank you for my freedom. And that was
190
00:08:38.610 --> 00:08:41.049
315 service dogs ago in the last 14 years that
191
00:08:41.070 --> 00:08:45.330
we've provided to veterans from all conflicts. Some service dog
192
00:08:45.370 --> 00:08:46.899
organizations only serve post 9-11.
193
00:08:48.190 --> 00:08:51.220
Not us. We serve every conflict. We had Korean. We
194
00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.820
had Korean veterans and we have Vietnam veterans. In fact,
195
00:08:53.879 --> 00:08:57.220
our hundredth service dog went to a Vietnam veteran. I mean,
196
00:08:58.159 --> 00:09:00.259
not to compare, but who better to serve than our
197
00:09:00.299 --> 00:09:01.159
Vietnam veterans?
198
00:09:01.629 --> 00:09:04.110
Absolutely. You know, I need to make you have a
199
00:09:04.149 --> 00:09:07.590
pause for a minute because, folks, this is pretty chilling
200
00:09:07.669 --> 00:09:12.090
and pretty pawsome. And this is a brilliant example, Shannon,
201
00:09:12.590 --> 00:09:15.429
where you know dogs. You're pretty good at dog training.
202
00:09:15.450 --> 00:09:17.909
You're very well respected. We'll talk later in the show
203
00:09:17.929 --> 00:09:22.289
about some of that. But a magic moment happened, and
204
00:09:22.330 --> 00:09:25.269
you didn't let it get away. It really changed your life.
205
00:09:25.750 --> 00:09:28.149
Yeah, it totally did. I loved animals my whole life.
206
00:09:28.269 --> 00:09:29.690
I thought I was going to be a veterinarian.
207
00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:32.220
I was in a vet clinic for a couple years,
208
00:09:32.269 --> 00:09:34.159
and all I did was cry because it broke my heart.
209
00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:36.659
And then it wasn't until, you know, I had some
210
00:09:36.700 --> 00:09:38.519
challenges with my own dog and I sought out a
211
00:09:38.559 --> 00:09:41.259
trainer and I was actually introduced to Schutzen. But the
212
00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:43.240
fact is, I believe that we're all on this earth
213
00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:45.519
for a purpose. I believe that we are, that God
214
00:09:45.570 --> 00:09:47.629
put us here to do a good work.
215
00:09:48.350 --> 00:09:51.529
And this is mine. You know, Northwest Battleblaze is part
216
00:09:51.690 --> 00:09:54.049
of that, but it's a huge part of that.
217
00:09:54.169 --> 00:09:56.230
And it is a mission and it is a calling
218
00:09:56.269 --> 00:09:57.769
because it's hard.
219
00:09:57.850 --> 00:10:01.279
It's hard to do it. But the why... is so great.
220
00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:04.080
And what is the why? We are free because of
221
00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:06.370
the men and women who fought to provide our freedom.
222
00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:08.690
And I didn't have to do that, but they are dying.
223
00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:11.600
They are dying more at home than they are in battle.
224
00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:13.919
And we need to serve them.
225
00:10:14.039 --> 00:10:17.470
And this is my way of bringing my gifts, my talents,
226
00:10:17.529 --> 00:10:19.870
building a team, like-minded people.
227
00:10:20.429 --> 00:10:22.529
And this is the mission to give back and to
228
00:10:22.649 --> 00:10:25.450
do good in the world. in the way that we
229
00:10:25.490 --> 00:10:25.809
do it.
230
00:10:25.990 --> 00:10:28.190
And it is life-changing. You know, we have so many
231
00:10:28.509 --> 00:10:30.710
family members. You know, we have wives that will come
232
00:10:30.769 --> 00:10:33.289
up and say, you gave me my husband back. Or
233
00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:35.129
a husband is saying, you gave me my wife back.
234
00:10:35.169 --> 00:10:37.299
And we have children who have fathers again.
235
00:10:37.320 --> 00:10:40.139
A really quick story. We had a veteran out of Montana.
236
00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:43.259
And one of the qualifications is they have to provide
237
00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:45.519
a personal statement. They have to provide a lot.
238
00:10:45.679 --> 00:10:47.960
There's a lot to qualify for a service dog. But
239
00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:50.720
one of the things was a personal statement. He served
240
00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:52.820
in the Marines. He goes, you want a personal statement?
241
00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:56.139
I'm writing this in the closet. My son and my
242
00:10:56.200 --> 00:10:58.659
wife know to not bother me when I'm here. I
243
00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:01.350
might be here for hours. I might be here for
244
00:11:01.389 --> 00:11:04.470
days because this is where I come to cope. And
245
00:11:04.509 --> 00:11:07.330
I want to live my life again. And I've read
246
00:11:07.529 --> 00:11:10.750
every personal statement, but I will never forget that one.
247
00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.179
And Mark came, his name was Mark, and he came
248
00:11:14.700 --> 00:11:16.360
and we went to serve him with a service dog.
249
00:11:16.399 --> 00:11:18.850
And it was a beautiful golden retriever named Joy.
250
00:11:18.870 --> 00:11:22.269
And when he met Joy, he just, his jaw, he
251
00:11:22.289 --> 00:11:24.549
was trying to be so strong because he's tough. And
252
00:11:24.610 --> 00:11:27.639
you could just see the muscles in his jaw just clenching.
253
00:11:27.720 --> 00:11:30.620
He's so emotional. And he goes... all he could utter was,
254
00:11:30.840 --> 00:11:32.059
I need joy in my life.
255
00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:33.019
Oh my God.
256
00:11:33.279 --> 00:11:35.870
He's had joy for over a year and he hasn't
257
00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:39.450
spent one minute in the closet. And his son was
258
00:11:39.649 --> 00:11:42.370
at his graduation and with tears in his eyes, he
259
00:11:42.429 --> 00:11:45.090
came up and he was shaking my hand. He was
260
00:11:45.149 --> 00:11:48.299
standing there all erect, like just holding himself just raised
261
00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:49.200
like 13 year old boy.
262
00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:51.929
And he shakes my hand and Firm grip, straight in
263
00:11:51.970 --> 00:11:54.389
the eyes. And he's like, thank you for helping my dad.
264
00:11:54.850 --> 00:11:55.960
And it's like, what kind of price?
265
00:11:56.049 --> 00:11:59.279
And it's so humbling because it's like, I just provided
266
00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:02.960
the vehicle. Your dad fought for what he has. Your
267
00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:06.889
dad fought to survive and be his best self for you.
268
00:12:07.009 --> 00:12:09.950
I told his son, he did this for you. you know,
269
00:12:10.129 --> 00:12:13.149
and it's just been amazing. And so that's just one
270
00:12:13.309 --> 00:12:14.570
story out of 315.
271
00:12:14.570 --> 00:12:18.360
And there's more to come. But it's like, as hard
272
00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:20.659
as it is, the why is so much greater than
273
00:12:20.679 --> 00:12:21.200
the struggle.
274
00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:23.460
And that's why we keep enduring at Northwest Battle Buddies.
275
00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:26.000
That's why we keep saying yes to the next veteran
276
00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.159
that's saying I want a dog.
277
00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:29.730
So talk to people because we're going to say this
278
00:12:29.769 --> 00:12:32.330
more than once, Shannon, how do people find out about
279
00:12:32.409 --> 00:12:33.490
Northwest Battle Buddies?
280
00:12:33.980 --> 00:12:37.169
They can go on the internet and go to northwestbiblebuddies.org.
281
00:12:37.450 --> 00:12:38.450
These dogs cost $ 25, 000 plus.
282
00:12:41.009 --> 00:12:44.190
But we do not charge the veterans for these dogs.
283
00:12:44.230 --> 00:12:47.909
We provide them free of charge. There's a qualification process
284
00:12:47.950 --> 00:12:50.590
that is strict because not every veteran should have a
285
00:12:50.610 --> 00:12:53.730
service dog and not every veteran needs a service dog.
286
00:12:53.750 --> 00:12:57.220
And it takes our expertise to help veterans navigate if
287
00:12:57.250 --> 00:12:59.120
this is the right choice for them and if it's
288
00:12:59.169 --> 00:13:02.360
sustainable for them. And we also have a responsibility to
289
00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:05.039
the dogs. You know, our dogs are out there and
290
00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.980
we have, I tell our veterans all the time, you're
291
00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:10.259
our mission. but the dogs are our responsibility. So we
292
00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:13.149
have to make sure that there is a sustainability with
293
00:13:13.309 --> 00:13:15.809
what it takes to have a service dog day after day,
294
00:13:15.970 --> 00:13:19.759
year after year, and for it to be successful. But
295
00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:21.919
we need the help of we the people because we
296
00:13:21.990 --> 00:13:25.210
are a 501c3 and we need fire finances.
297
00:13:25.269 --> 00:13:29.230
We need companies. We need corporate sponsorships. We need anybody.
298
00:13:29.529 --> 00:13:32.009
We need anybody that just is grateful for their freedom
299
00:13:32.029 --> 00:13:33.549
and they want to give back in a way that
300
00:13:33.649 --> 00:13:34.759
truly matters.
301
00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.820
This is a way to do it at Northwest Battle Buddies.
302
00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:38.779
Hey, Pet Pals, we're going to find out how we
303
00:13:38.799 --> 00:13:41.720
can help Northwest Battle Buddies and our veterans after we
304
00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:45.679
take this quick break. So sit, stay. We'll be right back.
305
00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:52.159
Time for a walk on the red carpet, of course.
306
00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:55.710
All Behave will be back in a flash right after
307
00:13:55.730 --> 00:13:56.470
these messages.
308
00:13:58.549 --> 00:14:02.190
Take a bite out of your competition. Advertise your business
309
00:14:02.250 --> 00:14:05.409
with an ad in PetLife Radio podcasts and radio shows.
310
00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:08.940
There is no other pet-related media that is as large
311
00:14:09.200 --> 00:14:12.580
and reaches more pet parents and pet lovers than PetLife Radio.
312
00:14:13.029 --> 00:14:16.899
With over 7 million monthly listeners, Pet Life Radio podcasts
313
00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:21.059
are available on all major podcast platforms. And our live
314
00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:27.830
radio stream goes out to over 250 million subscribers on iHeartRadio, Odyssey, TuneIn,
315
00:14:28.049 --> 00:14:31.190
and other streaming apps. For more information on how you
316
00:14:31.250 --> 00:14:34.710
can advertise on the number one pet podcast and radio network,
317
00:14:34.889 --> 00:14:38.460
visit PetLifeRadio.com slash advertise today.
318
00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.679
Let's Talk Pets.
319
00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:41.500
Let's Talk Pets.
320
00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:43.559
On PetLife Radio. PetLife Radio.
321
00:14:43.960 --> 00:14:49.009
PetLifeRadio.com. This is Paul Schaefer from The Late Show with
322
00:14:49.049 --> 00:14:52.669
David Letterman. And you are listening to Arden Moore on
323
00:14:52.710 --> 00:14:59.269
The Obehave Show on PetLife Radio. Please tune in. We're
324
00:14:59.370 --> 00:15:01.480
back from the lot. Just checked the paper and we
325
00:15:01.509 --> 00:15:04.779
had a record showing at the box. The letterbox, that is.
326
00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.779
Now back to OBE.
327
00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:09.940
Here's Arden. Welcome back to the OBE show on Pet
328
00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:12.620
Life Radio. I'm your host, Arden Moore. We have a
329
00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:16.039
very special guest today. Shannon Walker is the founder of
330
00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:20.149
Northwest Battle Buddies. And I come from a family, a Navy,
331
00:15:20.350 --> 00:15:23.750
an Army. I married one of the first female combat
332
00:15:23.889 --> 00:15:27.309
MPs in the Army. Staff Sergeant, her last name was Newton,
333
00:15:27.330 --> 00:15:31.029
so they called her Staff Sergeant Fig. And I've had
334
00:15:31.090 --> 00:15:33.850
very good friends that were in conflicts like the Vietnam
335
00:15:33.870 --> 00:15:36.490
War and others, and they don't always talk about it.
336
00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.539
My brother was in for 20 years in the Navy.
337
00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.940
He was a CB. So I'm like you. I think
338
00:15:42.379 --> 00:15:45.620
the world's best when we have veterans and dogs. And
339
00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:50.309
you have combined that magically. People want to help you, Shannon,
340
00:15:50.409 --> 00:15:54.649
and it's a long process to legitimately train a real
341
00:15:54.789 --> 00:15:57.509
service dog. You don't slap something on them and take
342
00:15:57.529 --> 00:16:00.909
the little nervous Nelly to the airport to get around
343
00:16:00.950 --> 00:16:04.149
the fees. I do a lot with some other organizations,
344
00:16:04.250 --> 00:16:09.190
and it is a big process. You need help. puppy fosters, right?
345
00:16:09.610 --> 00:16:12.009
So can we talk about, let's talk about that element.
346
00:16:12.049 --> 00:16:15.419
So somebody might be in your area and they know
347
00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:19.100
that you're doing a good job. How can somebody foster
348
00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:21.399
these puppies that may or may not make the program?
349
00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:22.440
You got to go through everything.
350
00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.259
Yeah, absolutely.
351
00:16:23.419 --> 00:16:26.190
So yes, people who want to be a puppy foster
352
00:16:26.210 --> 00:16:30.309
that are local enough to Washington state, Our foster program
353
00:16:30.730 --> 00:16:33.669
is so significant and it's a great way for people
354
00:16:33.710 --> 00:16:35.490
to give back. They may not be able to give,
355
00:16:35.509 --> 00:16:37.629
you know, thousands of dollars, which I will say any
356
00:16:38.049 --> 00:16:38.590
dollar helps.
357
00:16:38.669 --> 00:16:40.750
There is no small donation. Every donation matters.
358
00:16:41.149 --> 00:16:42.720
But the fact is, is that so if you were
359
00:16:42.759 --> 00:16:44.720
listening at the beginning of the show, you heard that
360
00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:47.799
I went adopted dogs out of shelters. Well, Northwest Palabase
361
00:16:47.860 --> 00:16:49.539
is one of the largest service dog providers in the
362
00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:51.740
United States for veterans with service dogs.
363
00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:54.159
The most we've ever provided in one year is 42
364
00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:54.600
service dogs.
365
00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:54.730
Wow.
366
00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:59.990
And for those of you that, for a frame of reference,
367
00:17:00.509 --> 00:17:03.490
at $ 25, 000 a pop, five months of training go into
368
00:17:03.549 --> 00:17:05.529
each dog, and then our veterans train for five weeks.
369
00:17:05.549 --> 00:17:07.369
So that's a lot of work in one year, and
370
00:17:07.390 --> 00:17:10.680
that's a lot to manage. But it starts with our fosters.
371
00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:13.680
So we still take shelter dogs. Dogs are offered to us.
372
00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:15.359
I don't have to go to the shelter anymore and
373
00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:18.119
look for them. But to do those numbers, you've got
374
00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:22.059
to have incredible training. resources to gather from. But what
375
00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:25.509
I've learned is that, so now we purpose breed. That's
376
00:17:25.529 --> 00:17:27.230
where the foster program comes into.
377
00:17:28.069 --> 00:17:31.609
We purpose breed English Crane Golden Retrievers and we purpose
378
00:17:31.650 --> 00:17:32.910
breed English Labs.
379
00:17:33.309 --> 00:17:35.950
And it doesn't mean that other breeds can't be service dogs.
380
00:17:35.970 --> 00:17:38.410
But one thing Northwest Battle Buddies has learned is that
381
00:17:38.470 --> 00:17:40.670
when our veterans are trying to go into the workforce,
382
00:17:41.150 --> 00:17:43.559
The pit bulls that I adopted out of a shelter,
383
00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.980
the shepherd dog, the German shepherd dogs that we were
384
00:17:46.019 --> 00:17:49.220
training with, different things like that. If it's an intimidating dog,
385
00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:52.640
that is another barrier to our veteran in public. And
386
00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:56.029
we want to eliminate as many barriers as we can
387
00:17:56.049 --> 00:17:58.630
because the service dog is a barrier in itself. The
388
00:17:58.670 --> 00:18:01.049
other thing is, is that no matter what training we do,
389
00:18:01.130 --> 00:18:03.569
we train our dogs for five months minimum. But at
390
00:18:03.589 --> 00:18:05.099
the end of the day, the dog is only as
391
00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.700
good as the handler. The dog's ability to fall to
392
00:18:07.720 --> 00:18:10.440
the skill of the handler. That's why our veterans go
393
00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:14.079
through five weeks of training here on site. But if
394
00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:16.670
that training starts to fall a little bit, what is
395
00:18:16.730 --> 00:18:20.589
the genetic makeup and tendency of that dog? Well, golden
396
00:18:20.609 --> 00:18:24.730
retrievers and English labs are genetically inclined to be social,
397
00:18:25.170 --> 00:18:27.619
to be loving, to be guidable, to be trainable. So
398
00:18:27.670 --> 00:18:29.960
even if the training falls a little bit, that dog
399
00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.859
is not a liability in public and is not a
400
00:18:31.859 --> 00:18:34.420
liability to the workforce or the family that they're in.
401
00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:37.680
Not only that, we have tremendous responsibility to our donors
402
00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:39.059
for those donor dollars.
403
00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.220
And we have a.
404
00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.910
Higher success rate with our we have a higher success
405
00:18:43.930 --> 00:18:46.190
rate with our purpose bred dogs than we are of
406
00:18:47.089 --> 00:18:49.859
the unknown getting a dog out of the shelter with
407
00:18:49.940 --> 00:18:53.400
health clearances and also different breeds that can be mixed in.
408
00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:56.160
And where our fosters come into play is at eight
409
00:18:56.220 --> 00:19:00.480
weeks old, those fosters come and get our puppies. And
410
00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:03.240
we have a tremendous support system for our fosters. We
411
00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:06.319
have our online training program. We have personal.
412
00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:08.900
Training right here, where they can come here on site
413
00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:11.490
and do training. We do group classes. We also have
414
00:19:11.569 --> 00:19:14.089
a foster liaison that is already on the phone with
415
00:19:14.109 --> 00:19:16.630
all the answers. But we provide all the medical for
416
00:19:16.670 --> 00:19:17.529
these foster puppies.
417
00:19:17.589 --> 00:19:21.450
But what we're asking our fosters to do is minimal training,
418
00:19:21.950 --> 00:19:26.329
which includes crate training, housebreaking, respect in your space, things like.
419
00:19:26.250 --> 00:19:30.049
That, and love them. That is our puppy's first family.
420
00:19:30.730 --> 00:19:32.980
And there's a way for the family to give back.
421
00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:35.240
And then they have the pup for sometimes up to
422
00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.539
a year.
423
00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:37.920
And then the dog comes to us for a minimum
424
00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:40.980
of five months of training. But it saves the organization
425
00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:43.809
a tremendous amount of money. And it sets our puppies
426
00:19:43.890 --> 00:19:46.809
up with the best success. And, you know, our fosters,
427
00:19:46.849 --> 00:19:49.069
of course, go through a screening just like our veterans do.
428
00:19:49.089 --> 00:19:49.609
Yeah.
429
00:19:50.079 --> 00:19:54.950
Time it's an incredibly successful program it's a well-oiled machine
430
00:19:54.970 --> 00:19:57.609
and you know we're really we're really grateful for our
431
00:19:57.650 --> 00:20:01.849
fosters they're our leading volunteer task force for sure.
432
00:20:02.609 --> 00:20:05.170
Well, there's other ways too. I'm interested. What is the
433
00:20:05.269 --> 00:20:08.509
pledge a pup idea? Oh, did I do my homework
434
00:20:08.609 --> 00:20:09.299
on you, Shannon?
435
00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:11.859
You did. I love it. This is the best interview.
436
00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:14.279
You make it so easy for me. So thank you
437
00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:16.279
for that. But our Pledge of Pups.
438
00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.920
So what we do is we highlight a puppy. We
439
00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:20.299
pick a puppy out of a litter. I pick a
440
00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:22.980
puppy out of a litter. And typically it starts with
441
00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:27.420
a naming campaign. So actually on Facebook, we say out
442
00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:29.940
of these five names, then that's the most engagement we
443
00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:32.279
get than anything. I will tell you, we'll have 100
444
00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:34.279
people that are voting for whichever name they want.
445
00:20:34.849 --> 00:20:38.039
And of course, the higher number for that name, that's
446
00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.759
what we named the pup.
447
00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:41.539
But the Pledge a Pup means that people can come
448
00:20:41.579 --> 00:20:44.299
along and they can support that puppy monthly.
449
00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.599
I like that.
450
00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.839
What happens is in the.
451
00:20:46.859 --> 00:20:50.690
Pledge a Pup program, Pledge a Pup donors get to
452
00:20:50.829 --> 00:20:54.490
follow that puppy from eight weeks old till it graduates
453
00:20:54.609 --> 00:20:58.200
with its veterans. So they see that everything is, you know,
454
00:20:58.220 --> 00:21:01.740
what that puppy's discovering at home, the new things, the playing,
455
00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:04.349
you know, the outings, what the puppy is learning.
456
00:21:04.529 --> 00:21:05.509
Sweet. That's smart.
457
00:21:05.609 --> 00:21:09.289
So monthly they get an email about all of that.
458
00:21:09.430 --> 00:21:11.309
And then they get to see when that puppy meets
459
00:21:11.369 --> 00:21:11.890
its veteran.
460
00:21:12.210 --> 00:21:14.190
And then they get to see video and they get
461
00:21:14.230 --> 00:21:16.440
to see what that journey looks like. And then they
462
00:21:16.460 --> 00:21:19.339
get to see the graduation and then even a a
463
00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:20.779
thank you from the veteran at the end.
464
00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:24.380
So, you know, in a video. So it's just amazing.
465
00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:25.309
Full circle.
466
00:21:25.349 --> 00:21:28.410
People can come alongside and support that dog.
467
00:21:28.630 --> 00:21:31.390
What they're doing, Pledge a Pup, they're funding that dog
468
00:21:31.690 --> 00:21:32.970
for that veteran.
469
00:21:33.049 --> 00:21:33.950
It's a group of people.
470
00:21:34.009 --> 00:21:37.029
And we have usually two, sometimes three Pledge a Pups
471
00:21:37.089 --> 00:21:37.930
going at the same time.
472
00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:40.759
I feel like the Lion King music should be playing
473
00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:42.759
up in the background right now. What do you think?
474
00:21:42.779 --> 00:21:46.500
Ah, da-da-da, da-da-da, da-da-da.
475
00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:49.119
We got a new pup. I mean, that is brilliant.
476
00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:53.869
You're getting everyone involved, which is very, very important. I
477
00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:56.130
know you didn't serve, right? I didn't serve.
478
00:21:56.410 --> 00:21:57.309
I did not serve.
479
00:21:57.390 --> 00:21:59.869
My dad did, and I'm a single mom of twins,
480
00:21:59.950 --> 00:22:01.369
and they served in the Army and Marines.
481
00:22:02.069 --> 00:22:05.029
Oh, nice, nice. So what I'm saying, though, is you
482
00:22:05.069 --> 00:22:09.089
don't have to have served to really help out Northwest
483
00:22:09.150 --> 00:22:11.930
Battle Buddies. You just have to, like your dad said,
484
00:22:11.970 --> 00:22:15.829
love God, country, and people who serve, right? And veterans.
485
00:22:16.089 --> 00:22:17.089
I think I remember you saying that.
486
00:22:17.109 --> 00:22:17.509
Yeah, absolutely.
487
00:22:17.829 --> 00:22:18.769
God, family, and country.
488
00:22:19.009 --> 00:22:19.490
Absolutely.
489
00:22:19.930 --> 00:22:22.210
Well, I did want to let people know a little
490
00:22:22.230 --> 00:22:24.170
bit more about you because I know you grew up
491
00:22:24.230 --> 00:22:26.930
in Oregon. My dad grew up in Oregon, too. And
492
00:22:27.130 --> 00:22:30.569
you got this big award in 2003. You want to
493
00:22:30.609 --> 00:22:31.970
talk about that? Yeah.
494
00:22:32.049 --> 00:22:35.069
So Schutzen really— so I had a German Shepherd dog that
495
00:22:35.089 --> 00:22:37.029
was about 10 months old, and the gentleman that I
496
00:22:37.049 --> 00:22:38.690
married— And see how nice I was.
497
00:22:38.730 --> 00:22:40.150
I called him a gentleman because now we're divorced.
498
00:22:40.170 --> 00:22:40.410
Yes.
499
00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.039
He better be a gentleman.
500
00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.380
Yeah.
501
00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:46.400
Yeah. But he he didn't really wasn't a dog guy.
502
00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:47.980
Who knew it wouldn't work out.
503
00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.240
Right.
504
00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.740
But anyway, he was like, get him trained or get
505
00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.440
rid of him. So for the first time in my life,
506
00:22:52.529 --> 00:22:54.849
I was seeking help to train and I. I was
507
00:22:54.910 --> 00:22:57.650
so blessed to meet a man named Gene England who
508
00:22:57.690 --> 00:23:01.730
won the world championship in Schutzen in 2008. And so
509
00:23:01.910 --> 00:23:05.849
I got exposed to this incredible dog sport that had
510
00:23:06.009 --> 00:23:08.970
such precision and relationship.
511
00:23:08.150 --> 00:23:08.650
With the dog.
512
00:23:08.990 --> 00:23:10.509
And I just couldn't believe that a dog and a
513
00:23:10.549 --> 00:23:13.210
human could move like that. And so I was instantly
514
00:23:13.250 --> 00:23:16.609
in love. I competed for 10 years. And my final
515
00:23:16.710 --> 00:23:19.009
hurrah was I went to Dees, Belgium in 2003 with
516
00:23:19.029 --> 00:23:19.930
a female Rottweiler named Yana.
517
00:23:23.650 --> 00:23:26.440
And in my category, I won.
518
00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:29.339
I competed against 13 countries. So there I was in
519
00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:32.789
Europe by myself on a podium with my Rottweiler between
520
00:23:32.829 --> 00:23:35.450
my legs with a medallion around her neck. And I
521
00:23:35.490 --> 00:23:37.990
got my hand over my heart. And the American National
522
00:23:38.089 --> 00:23:42.390
Anthem is going. And I'm just crying. But I won
523
00:23:42.470 --> 00:23:44.910
with her. And it was actually the last time I
524
00:23:44.950 --> 00:23:46.319
ever walked on a competition field.
525
00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.400
Well, leave on top, man. Leave on top.
526
00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:49.200
Yeah, that's right.
527
00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:52.259
Yeah, I came home and life happened. So I became
528
00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:55.759
a single mom at that point. So it's fine.
529
00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.420
It's fine.
530
00:23:56.460 --> 00:23:58.369
My journey is my journey. But I'm very grateful for
531
00:23:58.410 --> 00:24:00.869
all of it. But that was an incredible honor.
532
00:24:01.109 --> 00:24:02.750
Your twins know how to sit and stay?
533
00:24:03.009 --> 00:24:05.849
They do. They do. They actually work with me at
534
00:24:06.029 --> 00:24:07.210
Northwest Battle Buddies, too.
535
00:24:07.430 --> 00:24:09.950
They are amazing young men.
536
00:24:10.039 --> 00:24:11.200
You want to do a shout out to them?
537
00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:15.009
Yeah, Jared Walker and Jacob Walker. Yeah, they served in
538
00:24:15.029 --> 00:24:17.349
the Army and Marines. And they both serve at Northwest
539
00:24:17.390 --> 00:24:20.039
Battle Buddies. Plus, they both own homes here close to
540
00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:22.150
me within 10 minutes. And they're a part of my
541
00:24:22.170 --> 00:24:25.000
life every day. And they're really every mother's dream.
542
00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.960
I'm so grateful.
543
00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:29.519
Now, we also want people to know, in addition to
544
00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:34.420
Northwest Battle Buddies, you help us ordinary two-leggers with issues
545
00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:36.660
with our pets. You know, they're jumping up on us.
546
00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:39.319
They're barking and all that. So talk a little bit
547
00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:42.660
about this YouTube channel you have called Shannon Walker, the
548
00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:47.539
Pack Leader. I just subscribed. You guys, 8,000 subscribers, over
549
00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:52.099
550 videos. And I loved what you taught with the
550
00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:55.569
one of the dog that gets really excited to say
551
00:24:55.609 --> 00:24:58.470
hello when you walk in the door with a bag
552
00:24:58.490 --> 00:24:59.829
of groceries, including eggs.
553
00:25:00.289 --> 00:25:02.210
Yeah, no, absolutely. Absolutely.
554
00:25:03.150 --> 00:25:05.589
So, you know, I started training, I started training dogs
555
00:25:05.589 --> 00:25:08.390
30 years ago and I started my for-profit business, Man's
556
00:25:08.430 --> 00:25:11.390
Best Friend. And it was a way for me that
557
00:25:11.450 --> 00:25:13.470
I knew, and it was really ended up being a
558
00:25:13.490 --> 00:25:15.730
saving grace because I did become a single mom and
559
00:25:15.750 --> 00:25:18.130
I was able to raise my boys, had a business
560
00:25:18.170 --> 00:25:20.809
at home. They worked in the business and it was
561
00:25:20.890 --> 00:25:23.299
really a blessing from God that I had, and I
562
00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:25.039
still have that. So I've been, I've had that for
563
00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:27.519
30 years, but seeing the way the world is going,
564
00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:29.440
because it was never my idea to start a YouTube
565
00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:32.700
channel or do stuff online. In fact, I couldn't get
566
00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.960
through my head.
567
00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:36.220
How am I supposed to help people train their dogs
568
00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.519
when I can't touch their dog?
569
00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.140
Yeah.
570
00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:41.690
And so this has been honestly, this has been one
571
00:25:41.730 --> 00:25:42.670
of the heaviest.
572
00:25:42.390 --> 00:25:44.970
Lifts for me. Really? YouTube channel.
573
00:25:45.029 --> 00:25:45.549
So I am.
574
00:25:45.650 --> 00:25:48.049
Yeah, because I can talk dogs all day, but trying
575
00:25:48.069 --> 00:25:50.970
to film it. My mom is my camera person. So
576
00:25:51.029 --> 00:25:52.039
if you ever. Yeah.
577
00:25:52.630 --> 00:25:55.569
And I'm still learning. I have such a huge learning curve.
578
00:25:55.630 --> 00:25:57.890
But it has been such a blessing. But it's also,
579
00:25:58.230 --> 00:26:00.769
just for your listeners to know, I also have.
580
00:26:00.650 --> 00:26:04.089
An online training program where I meet with people every
581
00:26:04.150 --> 00:26:06.950
two weeks. I'm helping. I'm answering their questions. We have
582
00:26:06.970 --> 00:26:09.039
live training and Q & A. They have courses. I'm
583
00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:12.420
in there every day. So for $ 47 a month, I
584
00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.079
can help people with their dogs no matter where they're
585
00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.619
at in the world.
586
00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:18.200
And that has turned out to be so much fun
587
00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.359
because it's an incredible community.
588
00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.240
And people are doing great things.
589
00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:24.660
So I had no idea that when I saw my
590
00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:26.670
first Schutzen dog, not only would I compete, not only
591
00:26:26.690 --> 00:26:29.450
would I start a for-profit, and then I have my YouTube,
592
00:26:29.549 --> 00:26:31.390
and then I have my online course, and.
593
00:26:31.289 --> 00:26:32.609
Then I have Northwest Battle Buddies.
594
00:26:32.650 --> 00:26:33.730
Do you sleep, woman?
595
00:26:33.950 --> 00:26:38.529
I do. When I sleep, I sleep very hard. Okay.
596
00:26:38.950 --> 00:26:39.670
I sleep very hard.
597
00:26:39.950 --> 00:26:40.210
Yes.
598
00:26:40.410 --> 00:26:41.019
But I go.
599
00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:43.240
It's go-go. But you know what? Can I say something, though?
600
00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:46.579
But when you're doing what you're called to do, when
601
00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:49.819
you're doing it, it's fuel to you. It doesn't wear
602
00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:53.069
me out. It energizes me. It gives me because I'm
603
00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:55.890
so excited to do it. And there's nothing more important.
604
00:26:56.349 --> 00:26:59.930
So I love dogs. Absolutely. With all my heart. I
605
00:27:00.049 --> 00:27:00.569
always have.
606
00:27:01.150 --> 00:27:04.039
And how can I best help dogs by educating the
607
00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:04.980
human that owns them?
608
00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:08.069
Because if the human gets it right, the dog has
609
00:27:08.109 --> 00:27:10.210
a good life. When the human doesn't get it right,
610
00:27:10.250 --> 00:27:13.170
the dog suffers. And the human is struggling.
611
00:27:13.509 --> 00:27:17.849
So I've had the privilege of saving, helping save a
612
00:27:17.970 --> 00:27:20.049
lot of dog families.
613
00:27:20.650 --> 00:27:22.799
Dogs that are known biters. Dogs that have bite histories.
614
00:27:22.910 --> 00:27:23.410
All this stuff.
615
00:27:23.430 --> 00:27:26.180
They're scheduled for euthanasia. And we're able to bring understanding
616
00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:29.559
and teaching and transformation. And those dogs are living with
617
00:27:29.599 --> 00:27:30.940
these people. And it's safe.
618
00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:34.059
For all and there's no amount of money there's no
619
00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:37.829
amount of compensation that makes that awesome it's knowing that
620
00:27:37.869 --> 00:27:40.230
you did good and you made a difference to one
621
00:27:40.269 --> 00:27:42.640
of your greatest loves and so I get to do
622
00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:46.180
this so I know there's more businesses in my future.
623
00:27:46.549 --> 00:27:48.410
You know what? We need to bottle this up, and
624
00:27:48.450 --> 00:27:51.380
we need to sprinkle it everywhere because you just hit
625
00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:53.200
it on the head. When you do what you're supposed
626
00:27:53.359 --> 00:27:56.599
to do, it fuels you, and that is really good.
627
00:27:57.180 --> 00:28:00.970
And you also said that service dogs offer social mobility.
628
00:28:01.269 --> 00:28:04.329
Those are my big two takeaways for you, Shannon Walker.
629
00:28:04.910 --> 00:28:06.789
As we do for all our guests, I don't know
630
00:28:06.809 --> 00:28:09.259
if you've seen any of our episodes, but we ask
631
00:28:09.410 --> 00:28:12.519
all our guests this question. Here you go, Shannon. She's like,
632
00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:14.740
what is she going to ask? My social security number?
633
00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.440
Bank code?
634
00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:20.779
No, just kidding. What pet superpower, dog, cat, orangutan, whatever,
635
00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.920
do you wish you could have and why?
636
00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:27.269
Dogs are just pure. They're pure in their motives. They're
637
00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:29.690
absolutely pure. What you see is what you get.
638
00:28:30.210 --> 00:28:32.869
Dogs do not harbor, so many of my clients, my
639
00:28:32.910 --> 00:28:34.029
dog's mad at me, this and that.
640
00:28:34.210 --> 00:28:34.410
Nope.
641
00:28:34.809 --> 00:28:38.299
Dogs don't have the ability to feel our crap. Dogs
642
00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.019
are immune.
643
00:28:39.500 --> 00:28:42.420
Dogs, they can't be a victim. They totally live in
644
00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:44.779
the moment and they are built with a survival instinct.
645
00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:47.500
And if humans could do that in a pure way
646
00:28:47.829 --> 00:28:50.569
to where there's just no guile, there's no pride, there's
647
00:28:50.609 --> 00:28:52.430
no trauma we're dragging along with it.
648
00:28:52.450 --> 00:28:54.769
There's no victim mindset. There's no blame.
649
00:28:55.470 --> 00:28:57.549
And I mean, maybe that was more than just one thing,
650
00:28:57.589 --> 00:29:02.700
but that dogs are the most pure, honest, true being
651
00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:05.279
that you can have and share your life with. And
652
00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:08.980
so often, for me personally, I've shared my greatest triumphs
653
00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:11.829
and my most tragic events with my dog.
654
00:29:12.210 --> 00:29:15.569
And sometimes that is the safest place to be because
655
00:29:15.609 --> 00:29:16.910
of everything I just said about them.
656
00:29:17.549 --> 00:29:22.400
So if humans could adopt that, we would be a
657
00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.960
better world.
658
00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:25.849
I love it. I love it. We are speaking with
659
00:29:25.910 --> 00:29:29.160
Shannon Walker. She is the founder of Northwest Battle Buddies.
660
00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.829
Tell us again how to find it.
661
00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:33.039
NorthwestBattleBuddies.org.
662
00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:36.390
And then go on her YouTube channel, Shannon Walker, the
663
00:29:36.410 --> 00:29:40.640
PAC leader. You won't be disappointed. You survived... OBEhave. What
664
00:29:40.660 --> 00:29:41.539
do you think, Shannon?
665
00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.309
I loved it.
666
00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:44.970
This was an amazing interview. I am so grateful that
667
00:29:45.390 --> 00:29:46.150
I got to meet you.
668
00:29:46.509 --> 00:29:47.170
Thank you so much.
669
00:29:47.500 --> 00:29:51.259
Well, my sentiments exactly for you too, Shannon. At this time,
670
00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.960
I want to do a shout out to my producer,
671
00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:56.829
Mark Winter. He is the executive producer of Pet Life Radio.
672
00:29:56.869 --> 00:30:00.269
We're the largest pet podcast network on the planet. Humbly,
673
00:30:00.349 --> 00:30:02.549
you're tuned in to the O Behave show. We have
674
00:30:02.569 --> 00:30:05.490
been on the air since 07. We are the longest
675
00:30:05.630 --> 00:30:08.890
running weekly pet podcast, and my producer and I are
676
00:30:08.930 --> 00:30:13.170
still in our 30s. Just kidding. My passion is saving
677
00:30:13.210 --> 00:30:15.980
pet lives, so I hope You check out Pet First
678
00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:19.630
Aid for you, the number four, the letter U. I'm
679
00:30:19.670 --> 00:30:23.319
a master instructor. I work with ER and critical care veterinarians,
680
00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:28.549
and I do the classes with three super shelter standouts.
681
00:30:29.150 --> 00:30:33.230
Pet Safety Cat Casey, and Pet Safety Dogs Kona and
682
00:30:33.450 --> 00:30:38.440
Nova Six Toes. So we teach everybody from veterans to teenagers.
683
00:30:38.559 --> 00:30:40.599
I hope you check it out. We do it in
684
00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:44.819
person via Zoom and now self-paced courses, and we work
685
00:30:44.839 --> 00:30:47.819
with a lot of great organizations. So until next time,
686
00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:50.940
this is your flea-free host, Arden Moore, delivering just two
687
00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:54.430
words to all you two-, three-, and four-leggers out there. Obehave.
688
00:30:55.430 --> 00:30:58.500
Coast to coast and around the world, it's All Behave
689
00:30:58.539 --> 00:31:01.539
with Arden Moore. Find out why cats and dogs do
690
00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:04.079
the things they do. And get the latest buzz from
691
00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:08.140
wagging tongues and tails in Rin Tin, Tinseltown. From famous
692
00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:11.299
pet experts and best-selling authors to television and movie stars,
693
00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:14.569
you'll get great tail-wagging pet tips and have a fur-flying
694
00:31:14.660 --> 00:31:18.869
fun time. All Behave with America's pet edutainer, Arden Moore.
695
00:31:19.470 --> 00:31:22.890
Every week on demand. Only on PetLifeRadio.com.
