- 25631 Monroe St, Astatula, FL 34705
- 407-766-9727
- dorian@summitanimalhealth.com
Every placement is a partnership built to last. These are the veterans and dogs who started it.
Cairo is the first service dog placed through the Warrior and Working Animals Foundation — a Belgian Malinois trained to support veterans living with PTSD and traumatic brain injury, placed with Chris Reder, founder of DTOM 22/0.
He was bred and trained in partnership with Colina Canine of Medellín, Colombia — an experienced working-line Belgian Malinois program. To build the strongest possible handler–dog bond, the Foundation funded two trips to Colombia over six months so Chris could train alongside Cairo before placement.
This is the first step in a broader commitment: more service dogs every year, each matched through a responsible screening process built to set both veteran and dog up for the long run.
Chris named him Cairo in honor of the military working dog associated with the 2011 U.S. Navy SEAL raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After the raid, the name became widely known, and the story was later told through the account of Cairo’s handler, Will Chesney.
For Chris, the name is a reminder of what these dogs represent: calm under pressure, loyalty, and a steady presence when it matters most.
[PENDIENTE: historia de Kyra. Pegar aquí el texto que mande el cliente y quitar “Ocultar en escritorio/tablet/móvil” en Avanzado → Responsive.]
For nearly 15 years, Kati dedicated much of her life to supporting military families. Her work included volunteering with the North Carolina Army National Guard, serving as a Family Assistance Center Specialist, helping co-found CARTT, and later working as a civilian Family Readiness Officer for the Marine Corps.
After major surgery in 2016, Kati’s mobility began to decline, eventually forcing her to medically retire.
That was when Lila became such an important part of her life.
A rescue dog trained as Kati’s mobility service dog, Lila helped her with everyday tasks and gave her greater independence. She was also a constant companion and an important part of Kati’s daily life.
After Lila suffered a spinal injury, she later developed sudden kidney failure and passed away.
Losing Lila meant losing much more than a beloved dog. Kati had also lost the service dog she depended on every day.
Finding the right replacement was not simple.
Kati’s trainer, Kat, evaluated several potential service dogs before finding Jasper, a rescue dog she believed had the temperament and ability to work with Kati.
Warrior and Working Animals Foundation purchased Jasper for Kati and is helping support their partnership as he continues his service-dog training. The foundation also pays Jasper’s monthly food and insurance expenses, helping ensure that Kati can focus on building her life with her new service dog without having to carry those costs alone.
But he represents a new chapter for Kati — and another chance to regain some of the independence that a properly trained service dog can provide.
For Warrior and Working Animals Foundation, Kati and Jasper are also an example of why our work goes beyond simply placing new service dogs. Sometimes the need is helping someone who has already experienced the difference a service dog can make and needs help taking that next step.
