WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.789 --> 00:00:06.320 Welcome to the Soul Touched by Dogs Podcast, the show for dog lovers who 00:00:06.340 --> 00:00:12.000 see dogs not as toys or tools, but wise souls worth our respect and care. 00:00:12.580 --> 00:00:14.559 I'm an Herrmann, and I'm your host. 00:00:15.320 --> 00:00:20.560 I talk to poor some humans, people who do great work for dogs and their people. 00:00:21.099 --> 00:00:23.360 So come and join us for today's conversation. 00:00:24.798 --> 00:00:26.098 Anke: Hello and welcome, Joe. 00:00:26.398 --> 00:00:27.898 I'm super excited to have you here. 00:00:28.598 --> 00:00:29.368 Joe: Thank you very much. 00:00:29.368 --> 00:00:32.478 I'm, I'm stoked to be here and honored and blessed that you've 00:00:32.508 --> 00:00:33.878 chosen us to be on your show. 00:00:35.348 --> 00:00:35.458 I 00:00:35.458 --> 00:00:38.288 Anke: mean, people who are going to listen, they can't see you've got your, 00:00:38.538 --> 00:00:41.458 your, um, What's it called now, blanking 00:00:41.458 --> 00:00:41.578 on 00:00:41.588 --> 00:00:41.928 Joe: the word? 00:00:42.278 --> 00:00:42.818 Anke: Logo. 00:00:43.118 --> 00:00:45.158 Logo, well, yeah, yeah. 00:00:45.228 --> 00:00:48.598 Basically, it kind of shows already where we're going. 00:00:48.868 --> 00:00:53.238 But before we go there, why don't you give people like the two minute bird's eye 00:00:53.338 --> 00:00:55.278 overview where you're based and, you know, 00:00:55.478 --> 00:00:55.848 Joe: what's your business? 00:00:55.848 --> 00:00:56.408 Copy that. 00:00:56.568 --> 00:00:57.908 So I'm Joe Gianti. 00:00:57.908 --> 00:01:00.148 I'm the CEO and founder of Canine Heroes for Heroes. 00:01:00.168 --> 00:01:03.058 We're based out of the United States in Northeast Ohio. 00:01:03.598 --> 00:01:06.818 Our mission is to provide service dogs to veterans and first 00:01:06.818 --> 00:01:08.678 responders at no cost to them. 00:01:09.158 --> 00:01:14.338 So, we have found the absolute benefit these dogs can have in the lives of our 00:01:14.338 --> 00:01:18.598 veterans and first responders, giving them the life they want to get back to. 00:01:18.598 --> 00:01:20.908 So, that's kind of what we are. 00:01:20.908 --> 00:01:25.028 We're a 501c3 non profit, so we are completely funded 00:01:25.028 --> 00:01:26.248 through charitable donations. 00:01:26.738 --> 00:01:31.658 And we have a full service kennel that we partner with called American Canine 00:01:31.658 --> 00:01:37.168 Dynamics that is close to me that does anywhere from pet obedience up to 00:01:37.198 --> 00:01:42.028 police dogs and then of course not all our service dogs, um, they train, so. 00:01:42.403 --> 00:01:43.903 And I help as well, obviously. 00:01:45.073 --> 00:01:45.463 Well, 00:01:45.543 --> 00:01:50.353 Anke: uh, yeah, I mean, I always find, you know, people in the military, they 00:01:50.353 --> 00:01:54.663 get trained to go out into combat, but they're not really getting a 00:01:54.663 --> 00:01:55.753 lot of support when they come back. 00:01:56.863 --> 00:02:01.788 Joe: Yeah, I found that as well in, you know, I'm a veteran support organization. 00:02:01.788 --> 00:02:05.198 I'm not a veteran, so that's one of the things I make clear right off the bat 00:02:05.238 --> 00:02:10.138 because I have such respect and admiration for anybody that has put on the uniform. 00:02:10.138 --> 00:02:12.768 Now, as you and I spoke, you know, they're not going to see the 00:02:12.768 --> 00:02:16.388 video, but I'm a little gray in the beard, so I'm too old to serve now. 00:02:16.388 --> 00:02:17.738 This is how I'm going to give back. 00:02:18.153 --> 00:02:23.863 And how I got into this space was, um, growing up as a lifelong martial artist. 00:02:23.873 --> 00:02:25.693 My instructor was a police officer. 00:02:25.693 --> 00:02:28.283 Then I spent some time at the Virginia Military Institute. 00:02:28.293 --> 00:02:31.643 A lot of the guys I went to school with ended up going in the service. 00:02:32.283 --> 00:02:34.273 Um, buddies from high school. 00:02:34.608 --> 00:02:37.488 You know, so that, and my father was in the military as well. 00:02:37.488 --> 00:02:41.548 So that military and first responder has been part of my life. 00:02:41.588 --> 00:02:46.608 I just chose a different path early on in life and that admiration 00:02:46.608 --> 00:02:47.778 and love for what they do. 00:02:47.778 --> 00:02:50.368 And, and I always tell a veteran, sometimes I'll hear them say, well, 00:02:50.368 --> 00:02:52.458 I was just this, or I was don't know. 00:02:52.458 --> 00:02:54.758 There is no just, you put on the uniform. 00:02:54.818 --> 00:02:55.288 I didn't. 00:02:55.288 --> 00:03:00.128 There are many that did not, no matter what you did in the service, you served. 00:03:00.288 --> 00:03:02.258 No matter what you did as a first responder. 00:03:03.538 --> 00:03:07.678 So, as I say, the military protects our freedom, the first responders 00:03:07.868 --> 00:03:09.368 protect our life day to day. 00:03:09.498 --> 00:03:14.038 So, that's why I got into this space, and I know If you follow 00:03:14.038 --> 00:03:16.788 me on social media, you'll see often pictures of myself and Loki. 00:03:16.788 --> 00:03:20.858 Loki's my service dog, and Loki's the face of the business, because people 00:03:20.868 --> 00:03:22.248 want to look at his face, not mine. 00:03:22.448 --> 00:03:23.938 Can't blame him at all on that one. 00:03:24.998 --> 00:03:29.268 So he's a good ambassador for the business, and I know what he does for me. 00:03:29.338 --> 00:03:32.778 And I know we don't compare traumas, that you're not supposed to do all that, 00:03:33.488 --> 00:03:36.418 but I haven't been through anything compared to what these military and 00:03:36.418 --> 00:03:39.428 first responders have been through, but I know what Loki does for me. 00:03:39.428 --> 00:03:40.638 I'm a better person. 00:03:40.973 --> 00:03:42.473 Because that dog's in my life. 00:03:42.823 --> 00:03:45.233 If he's not with me, I'm not happy. 00:03:45.513 --> 00:03:47.543 You know, it's rare that he's not with me. 00:03:47.643 --> 00:03:48.443 He goes everywhere. 00:03:48.443 --> 00:03:49.773 You and I spoke a little earlier. 00:03:50.123 --> 00:03:52.113 He was at the gym with me this morning. 00:03:52.113 --> 00:03:53.603 You know, he goes to the store with us. 00:03:53.603 --> 00:03:56.293 He goes, uh, grocery shopping and out to restaurants. 00:03:57.133 --> 00:04:00.153 And what these dogs can bring to our veterans and first 00:04:00.153 --> 00:04:02.183 responders is, is unbelievable. 00:04:02.663 --> 00:04:07.963 Their abilities, and you know this as well as I do, are, are boundless. 00:04:08.393 --> 00:04:10.413 It seems like we're teaching dogs something new every day. 00:04:11.903 --> 00:04:12.943 Yeah, I'm 00:04:12.943 --> 00:04:18.863 Anke: curious about two things, like you sort of, you know, hinted at what these 00:04:18.863 --> 00:04:22.243 dogs bring to, you know, veterans lives. 00:04:22.243 --> 00:04:26.593 So basically, you know, when somebody struggles with trauma, whatever the kind, 00:04:26.593 --> 00:04:32.363 whatever the trauma is, you know, so what do you find are the main or perhaps 00:04:32.503 --> 00:04:38.243 unexpected things that a dog brings and also what makes a dog a service 00:04:38.243 --> 00:04:38.423 Joe: dog? 00:04:39.343 --> 00:04:42.533 So, one of the things I think it brings up to a lot of them 00:04:42.533 --> 00:04:43.953 is that sense of purpose again. 00:04:44.433 --> 00:04:46.703 And they're no longer just caring for themselves, they have 00:04:46.703 --> 00:04:48.693 another living being to care for. 00:04:49.293 --> 00:04:53.853 So, what these dogs do, it varies depending on what the individual 00:04:53.853 --> 00:04:58.623 needs, but all of our dogs are given some basic foundations. 00:04:58.633 --> 00:05:00.993 One of the important things, and I'm working on it with Loki, 00:05:01.023 --> 00:05:04.593 and it's not something I need at the moment, but I train him for 00:05:04.603 --> 00:05:05.923 it, it's deep pressure therapy. 00:05:05.933 --> 00:05:10.863 So, the dog And whatever the trigger of the individual is, whether it's 00:05:10.973 --> 00:05:15.793 they freeze, or handshakes, or they tense up, the dog will sense it, 00:05:16.133 --> 00:05:21.003 and the dog will either Lay on the person, nudge the person to break their 00:05:21.043 --> 00:05:22.893 concentration on whatever they're on now. 00:05:22.893 --> 00:05:24.613 Okay, now I've got to focus on my dog. 00:05:25.173 --> 00:05:26.603 So what makes a service dog? 00:05:26.603 --> 00:05:28.103 They have to perform three tasks. 00:05:28.123 --> 00:05:30.503 That's the American with Disabilities Act. 00:05:30.503 --> 00:05:32.463 I don't know if it's different, you know, in other countries. 00:05:32.893 --> 00:05:35.073 But they have to perform at least three tasks. 00:05:35.308 --> 00:05:36.488 for that individual. 00:05:36.848 --> 00:05:38.878 You know, so we've got the deep pressure therapy. 00:05:38.878 --> 00:05:42.598 Does the dog need to go and pick up your keys or your medicine? 00:05:42.928 --> 00:05:46.918 Or a lot of times if a veteran or first responder is out in public and 00:05:46.918 --> 00:05:50.128 they're a little tense because a large crowd will teach a block and a cover. 00:05:50.878 --> 00:05:52.648 The dogs may be behind you. 00:05:52.698 --> 00:05:57.098 So now you know that space behind you is safe or he'll be in front of you. 00:05:57.098 --> 00:05:58.828 And now you've got that distance in front. 00:05:59.058 --> 00:06:02.318 One of the things I've actually worked on with Loki is he'll do a center between 00:06:02.318 --> 00:06:04.438 my legs, but his face will be behind me. 00:06:04.808 --> 00:06:07.088 So I've got the comfort of him between my legs. 00:06:07.088 --> 00:06:11.417 I know I'm got distance in front of me, but I also know he's looking behind me. 00:06:12.188 --> 00:06:14.838 Or if he's in that cover in front of me or block in front 00:06:14.838 --> 00:06:16.038 of me, he'll be looking behind. 00:06:16.038 --> 00:06:17.538 So that's something we've worked on. 00:06:18.028 --> 00:06:22.718 It's just a way of giving that individual that sense of comfort 00:06:23.028 --> 00:06:24.108 and support when they're out. 00:06:24.118 --> 00:06:27.288 Now it's not an emotional support animal because there's a difference. 00:06:27.638 --> 00:06:32.818 They're doing an actual task and that leads into kind of another thing. 00:06:33.188 --> 00:06:38.198 People often ask, well, why shouldn't you pet talk to or acknowledge a service dog? 00:06:38.758 --> 00:06:39.998 Service dog is working. 00:06:40.063 --> 00:06:43.883 If that dog, if you're letting somebody pet your service dog, now 00:06:43.883 --> 00:06:48.433 that dog's going to look outward for support, for love and affection, 00:06:48.473 --> 00:06:49.743 and it breaks them from their job. 00:06:49.743 --> 00:06:52.713 So, that's why you don't want to pet a service dog, or even acknowledge, 00:06:52.713 --> 00:06:55.293 a lot of times I'll tell people, can you please just ignore my dog? 00:06:55.613 --> 00:06:56.323 He's working. 00:06:56.723 --> 00:06:59.593 And that way he's doing his job. 00:06:59.633 --> 00:07:03.743 Now, Loki knows, and we teach this, when the vest is on, I'm working. 00:07:03.933 --> 00:07:05.453 When the vest is off, I'm a puppy. 00:07:05.673 --> 00:07:08.773 And initially when we trained, made a big deal of that vest going on and 00:07:09.033 --> 00:07:10.573 him knowing, okay, I'm in work mode. 00:07:10.713 --> 00:07:14.283 And I, when we, before we get out of the car, I'll say harness, he 00:07:14.303 --> 00:07:16.633 dips his head in the harness, we put it on and he goes into work mode. 00:07:17.458 --> 00:07:17.558 I 00:07:17.558 --> 00:07:18.038 Anke: love that. 00:07:18.228 --> 00:07:21.498 Actually, I used to have a neighbor who was blind and he had a guide dog 00:07:21.948 --> 00:07:24.168 and you know, cute as hell, right? 00:07:24.168 --> 00:07:29.208 It was so difficult not to try, you know, but, but yeah, you know, so 00:07:29.208 --> 00:07:32.798 you kind of know like you're not allowed to because yeah, he might 00:07:33.028 --> 00:07:35.418 fall over because he's not looking at 00:07:35.418 --> 00:07:37.588 Joe: where his person is going, right? 00:07:37.668 --> 00:07:39.858 It is hard for people not to want to pet a dog. 00:07:40.008 --> 00:07:40.558 Me too. 00:07:40.558 --> 00:07:41.738 I want to go out and pet every dog I see. 00:07:41.738 --> 00:07:42.318 I love them all. 00:07:43.148 --> 00:07:46.318 But what I love hearing now and I'm starting to hear more and more of it. 00:07:47.038 --> 00:07:50.268 When I'm out in public walking with Loki and a little kid, Oh, mommy, daddy, a 00:07:50.268 --> 00:07:53.928 doggie, and you'll hear the mother or father say, Hey, that's a service dog. 00:07:53.928 --> 00:07:54.568 You can't pet him. 00:07:54.568 --> 00:07:55.868 And they start explaining why. 00:07:56.078 --> 00:07:59.278 So that makes me happy that that knowledge is starting to get out there. 00:07:59.528 --> 00:08:02.498 Podcasts like this and some other ones I've been on are going to further 00:08:02.498 --> 00:08:06.318 get that out there because we don't want to interrupt that dog's task. 00:08:06.373 --> 00:08:07.832 So 00:08:09.113 --> 00:08:11.873 Anke: how does one go about teaching? 00:08:11.883 --> 00:08:14.763 You were mentioning before, you know, somebody was actually trying to. 00:08:14.943 --> 00:08:20.803 So if I was to think, well, actually, you know, Spanish Master Poppy 00:08:20.803 --> 00:08:22.693 Lea might make a good service dog. 00:08:22.733 --> 00:08:25.553 Like, how does one go about teach a dog those tasks? 00:08:26.893 --> 00:08:29.563 Joe: We start from a puppy on our, in our organization. 00:08:29.653 --> 00:08:32.443 Now, there are people that take rescue dogs and God bless that they do. 00:08:32.443 --> 00:08:35.233 But I'm a small startup, so I want to know the complete 00:08:35.233 --> 00:08:36.733 history and providence of a dog. 00:08:37.383 --> 00:08:38.943 So we're raising 'em as puppies. 00:08:38.943 --> 00:08:41.763 We're doing that conditioning, we're getting 'em out in public. 00:08:41.763 --> 00:08:46.323 We're socializing them, seeing how they react in public and to other dogs as well. 00:08:46.818 --> 00:08:49.528 People don't, like Loki doesn't go play with very many other dogs. 00:08:49.538 --> 00:08:50.558 They don't need that. 00:08:50.558 --> 00:08:55.048 Socialization is just being in the same space, not wanting to go and fight each 00:08:55.048 --> 00:08:56.708 other, or even go up and sniff each other. 00:08:57.068 --> 00:08:59.308 So, we're checking the temperament of the dog. 00:08:59.318 --> 00:09:01.848 We're seeing how, what kind of drive do they have. 00:09:02.138 --> 00:09:03.988 You and I kind of spoke a little bit earlier. 00:09:04.228 --> 00:09:07.458 I get asked, are all dogs, are all our service dogs German Shepherds? 00:09:07.468 --> 00:09:08.877 No, not at all. 00:09:08.878 --> 00:09:12.398 Loki is a very high drive, working line German Shepherd. 00:09:12.708 --> 00:09:15.308 You can't give that to somebody that's not very mobile. 00:09:15.573 --> 00:09:18.773 Or not very active because it's just going to be a recipe for failure. 00:09:19.223 --> 00:09:21.493 So there's that, you know, you're socializing them. 00:09:21.693 --> 00:09:26.393 You're seeing, you're using food lures and treat lures as you begin that training. 00:09:26.393 --> 00:09:28.583 And just seeing how their temperament is. 00:09:28.623 --> 00:09:31.023 Do you, do they have what's necessary? 00:09:31.553 --> 00:09:34.133 And then we pick the dog for the individual. 00:09:34.133 --> 00:09:37.583 There's people we've had come up and say, Oh, I want a Belgian Malinois. 00:09:38.013 --> 00:09:41.813 Well, do you want a dog on crack that you're going to have to deal 00:09:41.813 --> 00:09:46.023 with every day of your life and he's high drive, there's no off switch. 00:09:46.863 --> 00:09:49.783 It's sometimes people see the dogs on the TV, they see them 00:09:49.783 --> 00:09:51.113 in the movies, I want that dog. 00:09:51.383 --> 00:09:53.393 Yeah, but that may not be what's best for you. 00:09:53.413 --> 00:09:56.243 And our ultimate goal is what is best for them. 00:09:56.623 --> 00:09:58.613 And to steer them in that direction. 00:09:58.613 --> 00:10:03.063 Now we think Chocolate Lab, Golden Doodle, Golden Retriever, you know, 00:10:03.133 --> 00:10:06.883 whatever the dog may be, that's what we think is best for you. 00:10:07.153 --> 00:10:10.003 And then the cost of these dogs vary depending on what 00:10:10.003 --> 00:10:11.183 they're being asked to do. 00:10:11.733 --> 00:10:13.013 So you can go anywhere. 00:10:13.013 --> 00:10:18.213 We give a range of like 15, 000 to 30, 000, all depending on what tasks you're 00:10:18.223 --> 00:10:23.543 asking these dogs to do, because it's a lifelong learning process for them, and 00:10:23.543 --> 00:10:27.893 you have to constantly be working with them so that they know what you want. 00:10:27.913 --> 00:10:30.213 I would say if Loki's not doing something. 00:10:30.683 --> 00:10:33.913 Correctly, it's because I failed to properly teach him how to do it. 00:10:33.913 --> 00:10:34.643 It's not his fault. 00:10:34.823 --> 00:10:36.323 He can only do what I taught him how to do. 00:10:37.533 --> 00:10:37.863 Yeah. 00:10:38.203 --> 00:10:40.583 Anke: So do I understand this correctly? 00:10:40.583 --> 00:10:46.823 Like your company, what you do is you train the dogs and you match them up. 00:10:47.068 --> 00:10:48.154 With a person. 00:10:48.154 --> 00:10:50.327 And then train the person, right? 00:10:50.327 --> 00:10:51.775 Because that would be 00:10:51.775 --> 00:10:53.678 Joe: a big part too, right? 00:10:53.828 --> 00:10:56.418 The hardest part about training any dog is training the person. 00:10:56.998 --> 00:10:59.198 Because they have to be consistent. 00:10:59.208 --> 00:11:00.158 You are absolutely right. 00:11:00.158 --> 00:11:02.698 So, we'll give all the dogs this foundation. 00:11:02.698 --> 00:11:06.848 They'll have the basic obedience, the sit, the stay, the down, the retrieve. 00:11:07.228 --> 00:11:09.568 But then we start gearing them towards tasks. 00:11:09.588 --> 00:11:12.778 They'll all get the block and cover and the deep pressure therapy. 00:11:13.038 --> 00:11:14.998 And then we'll start expanding upon that. 00:11:15.108 --> 00:11:15.498 Yes. 00:11:15.698 --> 00:11:20.108 So once we have that, the veteran or first responder will come in and start 00:11:20.108 --> 00:11:23.928 working with the dog as well so that they know what the dog's commands are. 00:11:24.308 --> 00:11:29.588 And, you know, we continue that training as well when they're done and we send 00:11:29.588 --> 00:11:32.438 you home, it's not just, here's your dog, you know, get out, don't ever come back. 00:11:32.458 --> 00:11:36.158 You become part of the Canine Heroes for Heroes and American Canine Dynamics 00:11:36.158 --> 00:11:39.888 family, and we're going to have that follow up care, that follow up service. 00:11:40.948 --> 00:11:42.358 The blessing is I've. 00:11:42.958 --> 00:11:46.648 Collaborated with many other non profit service dog companies, and one in 00:11:46.648 --> 00:11:50.408 particular called Mutts with a Mission, which is in, um, southern United States. 00:11:51.358 --> 00:11:54.928 Said, hey, why should you start your application process from scratch? 00:11:54.948 --> 00:11:56.878 Here's ours, make it work for you. 00:11:57.008 --> 00:11:59.898 So they gave, it was a 20 page document, they said, here. 00:12:00.128 --> 00:12:02.548 Change it and make it work what works for you. 00:12:02.548 --> 00:12:04.068 So what a blessing that was. 00:12:04.568 --> 00:12:07.808 And, you know, another one, Forgotten Coast Canines, they're in Florida. 00:12:07.818 --> 00:12:09.238 They did basically the same thing. 00:12:09.238 --> 00:12:12.868 And they've, you know, I've had a lot of mentors in this, which is, which is just 00:12:12.878 --> 00:12:15.738 wonderful because again, why start over? 00:12:15.808 --> 00:12:19.787 That makes such a difference, doesn't it? 00:12:19.968 --> 00:12:21.118 It's, it's night and day. 00:12:21.748 --> 00:12:24.488 There's another one called Project Canine Hero. 00:12:24.488 --> 00:12:25.878 They're a huge non profit. 00:12:25.888 --> 00:12:30.378 They provide medical care, rehab, and rehoming for military working dogs. 00:12:30.398 --> 00:12:31.428 I mean, they're huge. 00:12:31.428 --> 00:12:33.878 They bring in millions in donations. 00:12:34.478 --> 00:12:37.448 I don't think I had started Canine Heroes for Heroes more than a month. 00:12:38.308 --> 00:12:40.838 The CEO and founder of that reached out to me on LinkedIn 00:12:40.838 --> 00:12:41.828 and said, How can I help you? 00:12:42.708 --> 00:12:44.258 And we had a, we had a conversation. 00:12:44.258 --> 00:12:46.798 So it's, it's been a blessing, the people I've run across. 00:12:47.248 --> 00:12:49.848 People like yourselves, who are trying to get that word out there. 00:12:49.848 --> 00:12:51.668 We've got to give Michael a shout out. 00:12:51.678 --> 00:12:53.858 He, you know, he got us in contact with each other. 00:12:54.348 --> 00:12:57.028 And there's going to be many more events we're going to do together. 00:12:57.378 --> 00:13:00.918 The goal is I don't have to be the person to provide every dog. 00:13:01.208 --> 00:13:02.608 I just want to help you get one. 00:13:03.068 --> 00:13:07.438 If I get a call or a text or an email from a veteran or first responder not near me, 00:13:07.968 --> 00:13:11.278 I give them other other organizations they can reach out that might be able to help 00:13:11.278 --> 00:13:13.288 them faster and it'll be closer to them. 00:13:14.368 --> 00:13:17.078 Anke: Yeah, I think that's such an important piece, right, to build that 00:13:17.138 --> 00:13:21.008 network because I always find like all good things come through people you 00:13:21.038 --> 00:13:25.758 know and if you come, if somebody comes like recommended, there's a whole. 00:13:25.893 --> 00:13:28.453 It's a trusted relationship. 00:13:28.453 --> 00:13:31.963 It's a whole different starting point as if somebody, you know, 00:13:32.043 --> 00:13:36.903 emails you out of the blue, you know, building that network is critical. 00:13:37.293 --> 00:13:38.443 Joe: Yeah, you're absolutely right. 00:13:38.443 --> 00:13:41.033 If, you know, Michael introduced us together. 00:13:41.133 --> 00:13:44.633 Hey, if Michael gives you the stamp of approval, that's good enough for me. 00:13:44.833 --> 00:13:47.173 I know I've got several people that vice versa. 00:13:47.183 --> 00:13:50.603 If I say, Hey, this guy is a friend of mine or vice versa. 00:13:51.073 --> 00:13:51.573 Okay. 00:13:51.683 --> 00:13:51.943 Yeah. 00:13:51.943 --> 00:13:54.853 It gives you that extra set of comfort knowing. 00:13:55.583 --> 00:13:58.863 You're already starting off with a good, reputable company, and that's the thing. 00:13:58.873 --> 00:14:00.373 Good, reputable company. 00:14:00.383 --> 00:14:04.163 Our goal is to put out, yeah, we're going to get as many dogs out there 00:14:04.163 --> 00:14:07.493 as we can, but we want quality dogs, so we're not going to rush them. 00:14:07.823 --> 00:14:09.513 You know, dogs come back sometimes. 00:14:09.543 --> 00:14:11.013 They just, it's not a good fit. 00:14:11.023 --> 00:14:12.013 It doesn't pair up well. 00:14:12.013 --> 00:14:12.673 They'll come back. 00:14:13.043 --> 00:14:14.803 It's just part of the nature of the business. 00:14:15.463 --> 00:14:15.763 Hmm. 00:14:15.813 --> 00:14:16.123 I mean, 00:14:16.363 --> 00:14:21.483 Anke: you know, I'm, I'm, but like you said, okay, so who got disqualified? 00:14:21.483 --> 00:14:24.323 Like the owner or the dog, right? 00:14:24.723 --> 00:14:25.743 Or is it the match? 00:14:25.783 --> 00:14:28.533 Or where, where if there are problems, like, I mean, I guess 00:14:28.533 --> 00:14:29.932 you never know, like until 00:14:29.933 --> 00:14:31.993 Joe: you actually try it, you know, but You can have both. 00:14:32.043 --> 00:14:35.113 You can have the dog and the, and the individual be disqualified. 00:14:35.113 --> 00:14:37.873 The, the application process is pretty extensive. 00:14:38.223 --> 00:14:44.043 We need to know that you can actually take care of this dog in a safe, healthy. 00:14:44.518 --> 00:14:45.818 Um, positive way. 00:14:46.058 --> 00:14:50.778 So we, I've had people come, we, we attend a lot of events and I've had 00:14:50.778 --> 00:14:54.838 people come by the, the booth we're at and I, you just know it would not be. 00:14:55.498 --> 00:14:59.738 In the dog's best interest or a dog's best interest to get with that individual. 00:14:59.738 --> 00:15:02.698 And that's, that's a hard pill for them to swallow sometimes, but 00:15:03.728 --> 00:15:04.978 I'm going to make people angry. 00:15:04.978 --> 00:15:07.158 I know I can't make everybody happy. 00:15:07.158 --> 00:15:09.058 So I'm going to do the best I can. 00:15:09.058 --> 00:15:12.598 And, and however that plays out is how it plays out. 00:15:13.578 --> 00:15:15.418 Anke: But, I mean, the last thing you want is to give a dog to 00:15:15.578 --> 00:15:17.364 somebody who doesn't take care 00:15:17.364 --> 00:15:18.299 Joe: of them well. 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:18.611 Right. 00:15:18.611 --> 00:15:18.923 Exactly. 00:15:18.923 --> 00:15:19.234 Yeah. 00:15:19.234 --> 00:15:23.286 So, I mean, the baseline is pretty simple in that way, isn't it? 00:15:23.286 --> 00:15:24.578 Yeah, it absolutely is. 00:15:24.718 --> 00:15:28.258 You know, we need to know you can care for, we need to know that you want it. 00:15:28.308 --> 00:15:33.898 We're going to be doing a, um, a post on November 10th, which is the Marine 00:15:33.898 --> 00:15:39.128 Corps birthday, on a dog that we were able to place with an individual. 00:15:39.388 --> 00:15:44.818 As it's more of an emotional support dog, he wasn't looking for a dog and the dog 00:15:44.838 --> 00:15:49.278 wasn't necessarily looking, well the dog was looking for a new home, but now they 00:15:49.278 --> 00:15:50.998 can't, you know, they're inseparable. 00:15:51.398 --> 00:15:56.308 So it was, it was, it was nice to know we could help beyond the service dog. 00:15:56.308 --> 00:16:00.358 We found a dog that needed a new home and you'll see why on the 10th. 00:16:00.913 --> 00:16:03.563 And an individual that, yeah, you know what, I'll take them. 00:16:03.563 --> 00:16:05.993 And then it just became a pair that, yeah. 00:16:05.993 --> 00:16:10.553 So we want to be a resource for as many things as we can, 00:16:10.553 --> 00:16:11.683 whether it's just knowledge based. 00:16:11.683 --> 00:16:14.973 And I tell these veterans and first responders, I know I have not been 00:16:14.973 --> 00:16:18.203 what you've been through, but I can be an ear to hear, and I can 00:16:18.203 --> 00:16:21.423 be an active participant in the conversation, or I can just listen. 00:16:21.768 --> 00:16:26.368 And there are so many veteran support organizations, individuals like myself 00:16:26.388 --> 00:16:29.088 out there that are willing to do that, even though we don't have your 00:16:29.168 --> 00:16:30.978 same experiences, we're here for you. 00:16:30.998 --> 00:16:31.748 We'd rather. 00:16:32.498 --> 00:16:34.728 hear you, then go to your funeral. 00:16:36.488 --> 00:16:37.198 Not the truth. 00:16:37.738 --> 00:16:39.788 Anke: So where can people get in touch? 00:16:39.828 --> 00:16:40.248 What's the 00:16:40.248 --> 00:16:41.198 Joe: best way to reach you? 00:16:41.598 --> 00:16:44.318 So right now, the best way is through social media, either on 00:16:44.328 --> 00:16:46.478 LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook. 00:16:46.508 --> 00:16:48.198 We're K9 Heroes for Heroes. 00:16:48.228 --> 00:16:50.688 It's the letter K, number nine, and the number four. 00:16:50.848 --> 00:16:54.157 Still working on the web page, but, um, yeah. 00:16:54.238 --> 00:16:56.128 So social media is the best way right now. 00:16:56.453 --> 00:16:59.333 Or, if you go on any social media, my email, my phone 00:16:59.343 --> 00:17:00.583 number, everything's on there. 00:17:00.733 --> 00:17:04.183 Shoot me a text, shoot me an email, smoke signals, whatever you got. 00:17:04.453 --> 00:17:06.323 I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can. 00:17:07.073 --> 00:17:07.563 Awesome. 00:17:07.593 --> 00:17:08.393 Anke: Well, thank you. 00:17:08.403 --> 00:17:09.223 Thank you so much. 00:17:09.283 --> 00:17:14.742 I, I kind of can't wait to continue that conversation because I think it's such 00:17:14.742 --> 00:17:16.473 important work and really heartwarming 00:17:16.473 --> 00:17:17.857 Joe: for, on all fronts. 00:17:18.308 --> 00:17:19.618 I appreciate it so much. 00:17:19.618 --> 00:17:21.078 Thank you for having me on. 00:17:21.078 --> 00:17:23.808 I look forward to working with you a lot more in the future too. 00:17:23.808 --> 00:17:26.158 I know we've got some, we've got some things planned for 00:17:26.158 --> 00:17:27.418 the not too distant future. 00:17:28.228 --> 00:17:28.278 For sure. 00:17:29.241 --> 00:17:30.471 Thanks so much for listening. 00:17:30.991 --> 00:17:35.291 If you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review so 00:17:35.391 --> 00:17:37.171 other dog lovers can find the show. 00:17:37.961 --> 00:17:41.451 If you haven't already, head over to soul touched by dogs. 00:17:41.881 --> 00:17:47.451 com and sign up for weekly doggy cuteness tips, recommendations, and personal 00:17:47.551 --> 00:17:49.921 stories to warm your dog loving heart. 00:17:49.921 --> 00:17:53.651 And if you know a pawsome human you think I should interview, 00:17:54.071 --> 00:17:55.211 I'd love an introduction. 00:17:55.691 --> 00:17:57.521 Email me at Anke. 00:17:57.791 --> 00:18:02.026 That's A N k E at Soul touched by dogs.com.