--- title: How a Dog Named Billy Gave New Meaning to March 27th... description: March 27 marks 10 years since I lost my dad—and the 1st birthday of Billy, our ambassador dog. A heartfelt story of grief, purpose, and unexpected joy. image: https://project2heal.org/hubfs/MT%20%26%20Bills.png --- [![logo-1](https://project2heal.org/hubfs/Website%20Photos/logo-1.png)](https://project2heal.org/) - [About Us](https://project2heal.org/about-us) - [Our Mission](https://project2heal.org/our-mission) - Local Impact - [Chaperone Program](https://project2heal.org/chaperone-program) - [Puppy Raising Program](https://project2heal.org/puppy-raising-program) - [Stress Down Days](https://project2heal.org/stress-down-day-visits) - [Volunteer Program](https://project2heal.org/volunteer-opportunities) - [National Impact](https://project2heal.org/national-impact) - [Ways to Give](https://project2heal.org/ways-to-give) - [Contact](https://project2heal.org/contact-us) [DONATE](https://project2heal.org/blog/a-dog-named-billy#XJSJFUZM) - [About Us](https://project2heal.org/about-us) - [Our Mission](https://project2heal.org/our-mission) - Local Impact - [Chaperone Program](https://project2heal.org/chaperone-program) - [Puppy Raising Program](https://project2heal.org/puppy-raising-program) - [Stress Down Days](https://project2heal.org/stress-down-day-visits) - [Volunteer Program](https://project2heal.org/volunteer-opportunities) - [National Impact](https://project2heal.org/national-impact) - [Ways to Give](https://project2heal.org/ways-to-give) - [Contact](https://project2heal.org/contact-us) [DONATE](https://project2heal.org/blog/a-dog-named-billy#XJSJFUZM) Catch up on Project 2 Heal in the News — Click to See Our Stories Making Headlines! [Watch now](https://project2heal.org/in-the-news) ![How a Dog Named Billy Gave New Meaning to March 27th...](https://project2heal.org/hubfs/MT%20%26%20Bills.png) [Labrador Puppy](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/labrador-puppy) [purpose-bred labrador retrievers](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/purpose-bred-labrador-retrievers) [Service Dog](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/service-dog) [veterans](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/veterans) [service dogs save lives](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/service-dogs-save-lives) [project 2 heal](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/project-2-heal) [therapy dog](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/therapy-dog) [Billy](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/billy) [Charlotte](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/charlotte) [Dogs in Charlotte](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/dogs-in-charlotte) # How a Dog Named Billy Gave New Meaning to March 27th... By [Project 2 Heal](https://project2heal.org/blog/author/project-2-heal) on April 24, 2025 ![Project 2 Heal](https://3067823.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/3067823/author.png) ###### Project 2 Heal [Back to main blog](https://project2heal.org/blog) Share [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://project2heal.org/blog/a-dog-named-billy%20&body=Check%20out%20https://project2heal.org/blog/a-dog-named-billy&media=https://project2heal.org/hubfs/MT%20&%20Bills.png](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://project2heal.org/blog/a-dog-named-billy%20&body=Check%20out%20https://project2heal.org/blog/a-dog-named-billy&media=https://project2heal.org/hubfs/MT%20&%20Bills.png) [![MT & Bills](https://project2heal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MT%20%26%20Bills.png?width=292&height=480&name=MT%20%26%20Bills.png)](https://project2heal.org) March 27th—a date forever etched in my heart. A decade ago, my father passed away suddenly, and my family's entire world changed in a way we could never undo. Loss comes in many forms, but for me, this was an earthquake—a seismic shift that turned my life upside down. Just six months before, I had lost one of my best friends, my second mom. That loss, we knew was coming. We had time to say goodbye. I don’t know that knowing makes it easier, but it does help you process the void once they’re gone. One loss we expected, the other we never saw coming. Fast forward ten years, and here I sit, reflecting. The ways my life is different now, the moments I wish I could have shared with them, the milestones I long for them to witness. I wonder what they’d think of the person I’ve become. Every year, as March 27th approaches, I want to celebrate my father’s life, but I can’t help but remember the way we lost him, the last moments we had together, and what we were doing just weeks before. But this year, for the first time, March 27th brings something to smile about—it’s the first birthday of our dear Billy, the ambassador for the nonprofit I am so honored to lead. Billy wasn’t supposed to be ours. He was meant to go to California and become a service dog. But from the moment he was born, he won over everyone he met. A fan favorite, adored by our volunteers, with a charisma and gentleness that made him unforgettable. Billy was a fighter, and he fought to be here. He was also selected as a Started for Service dog, destined for great things. So, imagine my surprise when I called California to let them know Billy would be ready to graduate, only to hear they weren’t able to take him due to some transitional changes. I hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and said a quiet prayer. The answer was immediate—Billy was meant to be ours. He was meant to serve a bigger purpose right here in our community. I picked up the phone again, called Rebecca, and said, “Billy is meant to be Project 2 Heal’s. Can he be our ambassador?” Without hesitation, she agreed. It was as if she already knew. And so, a year later, we celebrate Ambassador Billy’s first birthday and the joy he brings to every person he meets. The story of how Billy got his name is simple—he was born on the day my dad died. My dear friend and colleague, Manoella Martin, often names our puppies, and after a particularly challenging stretch, it was time to give this litter their names. I walked into the care space, and without missing a beat, Manoella announced, “This beautiful black Lab is Billy, in honor of your dad.” It was perfect. Because in so many ways, Mr. Bills and my dad are the same—never met a stranger, gentle with those younger or smaller, always seemed to want to help others, and, on occasion, a little stubborn when they wanted to be…  So here’s to the two Mr. Bills in my life—the one who has passed on to a better place, and the one who is here with us today, making life that much brighter. Thank you to this incredible organization for helping Billy become who he is today. To Morgan, his chaperone and best friend. To Manoella, for the gift she gave me in his name. I hope you all get the chance to meet Billy one day—because he truly is something special. Happy heavenly birthday, Dad. And happy first birthday, Billy.      Please consider supporting the organization that’s making a real difference in our community and across the country. It would be a meaningful way to honor Billy and my dad. It means so much, thank you. [Because of Billy...](https://project2heal.donorsupport.co/-/NSYMHBMD?member=SNQBSQXJO&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR5UdSGlAVFo3JsDLFxBB3m1rHyxW02k4Z1sbJ_K2G2YelguKQlk-cpVWPQOOQ_aem_5iuxZ5zDyVvbGEnJpL4nLw)     [Previous Post](https://project2heal.org/blog/reframing-the-future-through-art-therapy-service-dog-partnership) [View All](https://project2heal.org/blog) [Next Post](https://project2heal.org/blog/joys-journey-with-rett-syndrome-1) ### Related Posts [![August 2025 E-Newsletter](https://project2heal.org/hubfs/Newsletters/rosie-pups-august.png)](https://project2heal.org/blog/august-2025-e-newsletter) 9 min read [Labrador Puppy](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/labrador-puppy) [purpose-bred labrador retrievers](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/purpose-bred-labrador-retrievers) [Service Dog](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/service-dog) [service dogs save lives](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/service-dogs-save-lives) [project 2 heal](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/project-2-heal) [Charlotte](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/charlotte) ##### [August 2025 E-Newsletter](https://project2heal.org/blog/august-2025-e-newsletter) By [Project 2 Heal](https://project2heal.org/blog/author/project-2-heal) on August 27, 2025 [Continue Reading](https://project2heal.org/blog/august-2025-e-newsletter) [![WRANGLING CHICKENS Instead of TRAINING DOGS?](https://project2heal.org/hubfs/sasha-learning.jpg)](https://project2heal.org/blog/wrangling-chickens-instead-of-training-dogs) 1 min read [Day in the life](https://project2heal.org/blog/tag/day-in-the-life) ##### [WRANGLING CHICKENS Instead of TRAINING DOGS?](https://project2heal.org/blog/wrangling-chickens-instead-of-training-dogs) By [Project 2 Heal](https://project2heal.org/blog/author/project-2-heal) on December 8, 2021 We may specialize in training lab puppies to become service dogs, but we sure know how to wrangle a chicken! 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