A former Special Forces dog handler, Travis had his dog Bear by his side for four trips to Iraq. When Travis left the military, he realized he wasn’t going to be able to bring Bear with him.
After the two separated, Bear wouldn’t eat. He wouldn’t work for anyone else and he was biting everyone.
Travis and Bear had some rough trips together where he and the dog both witnessed conbat and explosions. It was clear Bear was suffering from PTSD himself, which was triggered when Travis left.
Ultimately, Travis was permitted to adopt Bear, which became a life-changing event for both of them. Bear and another rescue had a litter of puppies and all but one were given away to Special Forces members – except for one puppy that Travis would keep because she was difficult. Travis says she hated his guts for some reason. Until he took her on a trip, which opened Travis’ eyes to what she was missing. Now Barin is Travis’ right hand, going everywhere with him.
A few years back a former Teammate contacted Travis about a mutual retired military friend who was suffering from PTSD. Travis had found several rescue dogs that he had rehabbed, trained and donated to people who needed them. Travis gave Misha, also a descendent of Bear, to the mutual friend who is now doing great.
This became the inspiration for Second Chance K9. Travis had seen success with connecting rehabbed Rescue dogs with Special Operation Forces (SOF) in need. He realized in order to continue to make these life-saving connections, he’d need to make it official by becoming a non-profit entity that would have the ability to fundraise and help more people than he was able to do alone.
Second Chance K9 focuses solely on connecting high-drive Rescues trained to be ADA-recognized Service Dogs with SOF of all branches of the Military suffering from PTSD/TBI.
Name: Bear
Age: 13 when he passed
Weight: 85
Years in Service: 11
Bear changed my life and donating will continue his legacy.
bio:
Bear was a one of a kind, once in a lifetime dog. Bear was the best of us as Being a Special Operations K9. Bear was a Bite, Bomb, and Tracking K9 with 4 trips down range to hone his skills. In retirement Bear became our everything. Bear was my first exposure to what a Service dog could do for a Veteran. Anytime we would be around the “guys” both Bear and everyone around him would light up. I was devastated when we lost him (to old age). Thankfully his legacy continues in his Daughter Barin.
Name: Barin
Age: 11
Weight: 55
Service Dog program status: graduated and Retired
Breed: Dirty Malinois
Barin is the daughter of bear and sasha. She is travis’s service dog
Bio:
Barin is the Second Chance Service Dog senior training dog. Barin helps me to train the Veterans on what and how to be around a service dog. Having Barin demo what a dog is supposed to do in public helps me to set the Veterans and the Service dogs up for success.
Barin has been ours since the day she was born. Barin is the daughter of Bear and Sasha. She is 9 years old and has been my Service Dog ever since Bear died. Barin has 1000’s of hours of training in her both as a Service Dog and ambassador for Second Chance K9 Service Dogs.
Name: Mac aka “Mac and Cheese
Age: 3
Weight: 70
service dog program status: graduated
breed: Belgian Malinois
Mac was matched with his veteran and now lives with his new family. Mac and Aaron are crushing it at life and are now members of the second chance k9 family as official board members. Aaron and mac do such a good job we’ve asked them to join the board and help us grow this rescue.
bio:
Mac is a high drive Mal that a friend of Second Chance K9 donated to us to enter the Service Dog pipeline. He has completed his training, loves to travel, and be by your side as much as he can. Mac is absolutely crushing it at Life! He and his owner are so connected and have spent every moment together since we donated him to his Veteran! Thank you so much to Home Front K9 for reaching out to this specific Veteran in need. This what such a solid Pairing of Veteran and Service Dog.
Name: Shaw aka “Shawsome”
Age: 1.5
Weight: 60
service dog program status: graduated
Breed: Belgian Malinois
Reverse COLORING, Loki personality, has been place with his veteran!
bio:
Shaw was donated to us by @agogek9 in East TN. Shaw and his Brother came to us at the same time. Now that his Brother Brick is placed in his forever home we are really starting to see Shaw’s Personality come out. He is a trickster and loves to nip at you and get your attention. Shaw is super loving in the evening when its sleepy time and he wants snuggles. Shaw has began Service with a Veteran to complete there team.
Name: Kuma
Age: 2
Weight: 90
service dog program status: graduated
Breed: Belgian malinois
Fawn Currently Serving as ambassador and Service dog
Bio:
Kuma came to us when he was needed most. Kuma was rescued from a back yard breeder and Drug cartel in North Georgia. Kuma doesn't have a mean bone in him and wasn’t doing the job his former owner needed him to do so I swooped in with the help of friends and we brought Kuma here to the kennel. Kuma was meant to be a Service Dog for a Veteran Candidate who backed out on us and became my Service Dog. Kuma Loves his job and our Rescue
Name: chase
Age: 4
Weight: 60
service dog program status: on a 5 year plan
Breed: Dutch shepherd
chase had a rough start as a puppy and has lots of issues to work through, he is the goofiest dog you’ll ever meet, has the ability to make everyone love him automatically
Bio:
We found Chase on a Facebook group for Dutch Shepherds. Chase couldn’t get along with his housemate and needed a new home that provided him with a direction and something to keep his mind off wanting to dominate and fight other dogs. Chase is well, Special. He does great one day and forgets he’s supposed to be training to be a service dog the next. Chase has many nick names, Mr. Jazz Paws, Ten Second Chase, and so many more. We have made a commitment to help Chase on his Journey to become a Service Dog even if it takes 5 years. Chase is at my side 100% of the time right up until someone new walks up then he is between my legs. We are working on him though, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
