3 days ago
Shelter dog to make history on ‘incredible mission' on a Navy ship in California
A black lab named Raider is on a mission.
He's what you'd call a 'morale dog' from a San Diego nonprofit organization named Shelter to Soldier, where rescue dogs are trained to become emotional support animals for military veterans.
And now, he's training to set sail on the U.S. Navy ship, the USS Makin Island next year, a first in the program.
'Raider is a one-year-old lab mix adopted from Labs and More Rescue currently in training with Shelter to Soldier as a shipboard Morale Dog through our Canine Ambassador program,' the Shelter to Soldier program said in a June 26 Facebook reel that highlights Raider's training.
'This initiative is designed to support the emotional wellness, morale, and mental health of sailors and marines.'
The USS Makin Island is the first to partner with Shelter to Soldier, which occurred after the program's director, Nicky Moore, began to bring therapy dogs to Navy ships, NBC San Diego reported.
'Every single time it was like, 'I really wish we had a dog that stayed on board.' Like, 'Can we take this dog on deployment with us?' And so, we just kind of were like, 'Actually, yeah,'' Moore told the news outlet.
And now, providing emotional support to those on board will be Raider's goal.
'Aboard the USS Makin Island, Raider will serve as a four-legged crew member, offering support through structured interaction, presence, and engagement,' Shelter to Soldier continued in the Facebook reel.
'Shelter to Soldier's Canine Ambassadors work across a range of settings to support the military and veteran community. They attend STS veteran applicant interviews, support trauma recovery therapy, participate in group sessions, and visit active-duty service members and their families, offering moments of connection and care when it's needed most.'
More importantly, Raider will help 'improve mental wellness and quality of life' for those in active duty.
'Raider's role aboard the USS Makin Island helps address this crisis by fostering camaraderie within the crew, reducing operational stress, and increasing awareness for shipboard wellness and behavioral health services,' the program said.
Raider's training began in April, and he's set to have his own room on the ship along with five handlers, NBC reported.
'The USS Midway Museum is honored to play a small part in this incredible mission,' The USS Midway Museum, who provided a place where Raider could train and prepare for life on the ship, commented in a Facebook post. 'Raider and his fellow Shelter to Soldier morale dogs bring comfort, connection, and strength to the sailors they serve. We're proud to help support their journey.'
