San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Center for nonprofit that trains veterans’ dogs takes shape.
Nine years ago, when Shilo Schluterman, 45, returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, medication and therapy did little to relive the memories of enemy attacks. The Air National Guard veteran withdrew from society, fearing someone might touch her and set off flashbacks of war. Schluterman’s refuge from post-traumatic stress disorder was staying home with her husband and four boys.
One night, she prayed for an answer to her trauma.
A Veterans Affairs therapist offered an alternative — a service dog. Schluterman contacted K9s For Warriors and was placed on a 14-month waiting list. She was matched with Javelin, a Rhodesian ridgeback and lab mix who was saved from going hungry on the side of a road in South Carolina.
“He might have been rescued, but he rescued me,” Schluterman said, “and my whole family, who got to live a normal life again. I’m not a me anymore, I’m an us.”
The military veteran and her service dog arrived Thursday afternoon before donors and dignitaries toured the new Petco Love K9 Center on Highway 151. The 5,000 square foot center will have 30 kennels.
In 2019, the city council approved an initial 10-year lease on three acres of ACS’ land to build the one-story center.
The facility will serve as the Southwestern hub for the nonprofit that trains service dogs to be matched with veterans dealing with military-related trauma and PTSD. The focus will be on largesized rescue dogs. After the canines have been tested and received veterinary care, they will receive formal service dog training at the nonprofit’s Northeast Florida headquarters.
In 2011, Shari Duval founded the nonprofit after she saw signs of PTSD from her son, who served in Iraq as a civilian K9 police bomb handler. According to the center, each day an estimated 20 veterans die of suicide.
Jason Snodgrass, chief operating officer, said K9s for Warriors has rescued 1,300 dogs to date and have placed close to 700 dogs
with veterans. Those that aren’t accepted are placed into their adoption program.
He said being close to ACS, would allow them to receive dogs
from the city shelter and begin initial service dog training.
“We’re super excited to be in San Antonio, Military City USA,” Snodgrass said. “There’s a huge
veteran footprint here and we appreciate everyone’s service and the community opening their arms to us.”
In 2019, Petco Love awarded the nonprofit with a $2 million grant to start building the center which is scheduled to open in the fall.
“It’s exciting to see this come together,” Susanne Kogut, Petco Love president said. “It was dream of K9s for Warriors to create a center to save shelter dogs and train them to save military veterans. Now, we’re one step closer to making that happen.”
ACS interim director Shannon Sims said he was looking forward to the collaboration with the nonprofit.
“At the end of the day the winner will be the animals,” Sims said. “We couldn’t be happier about what their doing to help the city of San Antonio with the
animals, but even more important what their doing to help veterans in the community.”
Schluterman held the leash of the chocolate brown-streaked dog she calls “Javie.” The pair entered the empty building still under construction. Hammering echoed through spaces, which will be used for training and veterinary care of rescue dogs like Javie.
When it’s time to work, Schluterman said she holds his vest out and he puts his head through it and wags his tail.
She said the new facility would help whittle down the waiting list.
“It gives access to more rescues, which in turn gives more access to more veterans,” Schluterman said. “It might be that last hope.”