Project 2 Heal
July 2025 E-Newsletter
From exciting puppy send-offs and life-changing milestones to heartwarming connections, July was a month filled with powerful moments that reflect the heart of our mission.
Because of You, Something Special is Beginning
Recently, Joy and the Piscitelli family spent time with Chance, the dog we are currently evaluating to see if he’s the right fit to become Joy’s future service dog. These early meet-and-greet sessions are a crucial part of our process. Before a match is finalized, we carefully assess the dog’s temperament, training progress, and ability to meet the specific needs of the individual they may serve. Just as importantly, we observe how the child and dog respond to each other. Connection matters.
Watching Joy bond with Chance was a powerful reminder of what this work is all about. In those first few interactions, we often see the beginnings of something extraordinary: trust, comfort, and the kind of unconditional love that can change a child’s world.
This moment was made even more meaningful when the Piscitelli family met the anonymous donor whose generous matching gift helped our Paws for a Child campaign exceed its goal. It was a touching reminder of how community, compassion, and purpose come together to change lives.
Your support made this moment possible. And with continued guidance, training, and care, it could lead to a lifelong partnership between Joy and her future service dog.
Big Send-Offs, Bright Futures
Colby and Beth, from Montana’s Yellowstone litter, are now with our friends at Liberty Dogs, where they’re being evaluated as potential future breeding dogs. If selected, their puppies could one day be part of future Project 2 Heal litters, continuing their legacy and impact. We’re hopeful for great things ahead!
Nicks has joined BluePath Service Dogs, where she’ll begin training to become an autism service dog. BluePath’s mission is to provide children with autism and their families greater safety, independence, and connection—and we’re proud that one of our pups will help carry that mission forward.
Fleet, Goldie, and Rumor are now with Fidos for Freedom in Maryland. These three have officially begun the next phase of their service dog training, and we’re confident they’ll thrive in this new chapter.
Elsie made her way to the North Carolina coast to join Bayside Service Dogs in Wilmington. With her strong drive to work and gentle spirit, we know she’ll rise to every challenge.
Aspen has headed up north to Alaska to join Paws That Serve, where he’ll begin preparing to offer warmth, comfort, and life-changing support to someone in need.
Brie and Tango are now training with Retrieving Independence in Nashville, Tennessee. These two are already showing promise and determination as they begin building the skills they’ll need to change lives.
We are so proud of each and every pup and deeply grateful to our partner organizations for continuing their development with compassion and purpose. Their futures are bright—and their potential, limitless.
The 12th Annual Lucas Kanelos Memorial Tournament: Sponsorships Are Going Fast
If you’ve been dreaming of margaritas, puppies, and one of the most feel-good days you’ll ever have on the golf course, we’ve got you covered. The 12th Annual Lucas Kanelos Memorial Putt 4 Pups Charity Golf Tournament returns Sunday, October 6, and trust us, it’s more than just a round of golf.
This special event honors the life and legacy of Lucas Kanelos while supporting our mission to raise, train, and place service dogs with those who need them most. When you sign on as a sponsor, you’re helping change lives and having a whole lot of fun doing it.
Sponsorship perks include:
- Foursomes and twosomes for your team or clients
- Prime company branding on the course
- Breakfast, lunch, and a margarita stand (yes, really)
- Fun games, prizes, and good vibes
- Puppy meet-and-greets with our training dogs
- Tickets to the After-Tournament Celebration
Foursomes are only available through sponsorship right now. Just a few non-sponsor foursomes remain, and individual spots will only open if space allows after August 31.
Long story short? If you want in, now’s the time.
Sponsorships close August 31. Let’s make this year the best one yet.
From Puppy Foundations to Life-Changing Futures.
This month, we celebrated a meaningful milestone as Granite, Rolo, Diana, Rinzu, and Bram reunited with their puppy raisers for one final hug before heading to Florida. These five incredible dogs have completed our Started 4 Service program and are now continuing their training with our longtime partners at K9s For Warriors.
Started 4 Service is a core part of what we do at Project 2 Heal. Through this program, we provide partner organizations with young dogs who have already received a strong foundation in training and socialization. These pups learn essential skills such as house manners, crate training, confidence building, and obedience. They leave our care well-prepared to take on the next phase of their journey.
For Granite, Rolo, Diana, Rinzu, and Bram, that next phase is with K9s For Warriors, the nation's largest provider of trained service dogs for veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST).
Based in Florida, K9s For Warriors is committed to ending veteran suicide and restoring independence to those who have served. Their work is backed by clinical research and offered to veterans at no cost. We are proud to support their mission by sending dogs who are not only capable, but truly ready to serve.
Watching our dogs say goodbye to the puppy raisers who gave them their first experience of love and structure is always emotional. These volunteers play a critical role in each success story. Their time, patience, and commitment help shape dogs who will go on to change someone’s life.
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