June 2025 E-Newsletter
June was anything but boring. Puppies hit the road, babies hit new milestones, and our crew brought the calm (and the chaos) to offices and schools across Charlotte. Let’s catch you up.
When we launched our Paws for a Child campaign two weeks ago, we set out to raise $30,000 to help five-year-old Joy, who lives with Rett syndrome, receive a life-changing service dog.
Thanks to your incredible support, we didn’t just meet that goal—we surpassed it in just 72 hours. And by the end of the campaign, we raised a total of $54,576!
Because of you, Joy is one step closer to gaining a loyal companion who will provide comfort, safety, and greater independence. The additional funds raised will help the Piscitelli family prepare for the arrival of their service dog and allow Project 2 Heal to reach more children with special needs, veterans, and adults with disabilities still waiting for a healing pawtnership.
From all of us at Project 2 Heal, thank you for showing up, sharing, giving, and believing in the power of service dogs. We can’t wait to share more of Joy’s journey with you in the weeks to come.
Montana’s Yellowstone litter has officially left the nest. And while the house may feel a little quieter without them, we’re still in full puppy mode with three litters currently on-site. Let’s just say our team is fueled by coffee, dog hair, and puppy kisses.
We’re excited to share where these future service dogs are now continuing their journeys:
Franklin and Libby, previously known as Rip and Teeter, are now with Paws and Affection in Pennsylvania. These two are settling in and already acting like they run the place. We’re not saying they’re bossy, but let’s just say the staff is already well-trained.
Wheeler and Kayce are off to Fidos for Freedom in Maryland. These two hit the road with zero hesitation and a whole lot of Labrador confidence. We wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already the stars of the staff group chat.
Rosie, previously known as Kota, has joined K9s For Warriors and is being puppy raised by a student at Texas A&M University. She’s trading tennis balls for textbooks as she learns how to become a life-changing partner for a veteran.
Colby and Beth are now with Liberty Dogs USA, where they’re being evaluated as potential future breeding dogs. If selected, we’ll welcome one of their puppies back into our program to carry on their legacy. We’re hopeful, excited, and yes—already brainstorming names.
Bridger and Dutton are still with their incredible puppy raiser, Michele A., as they prepare to transition into chaperone homes. Fun fact: Michele is also the chaperone for their mom, Montana, which makes her the unofficial grandma in this family tree!
We’re currently looking for chaperones for Bridger and Dutton. If you or someone you know wants to play a direct role in helping raise a future service dog, apply today.
It’s been a busy (and very adorable) few weeks in our nursery. Our mama dogs Stevie, Cypress, and Sky are hard at work raising the next generation of life-changing service dogs, and their little ones are growing fast.
Here’s a look at how each litter is doing:
Stevie’s puppies are now 8 weeks old and officially ready to take on the world, or at least their first puppy field trips. They’ve begun foundational training like crate time, short car rides, and early name recognition. It’s the start of learning how to be confident, curious, and calm in new environments.They’ll soon be leaving the nest and heading off to our incredible partner organizations to continue their journey. Stay tuned to see where these future service dogs are headed next.
Cypress’ litter is 6 weeks old and in full-on puppy preschool mode. They’re learning to interact with people, explore different textures and surfaces, and begin gentle handling exercises. At this stage, every sound and smell is a learning opportunity and we’re here to guide them through it.
Sky’s pups are 5 weeks old and beginning to come out of their sleepy stage. They’re starting to play with each other, interact with new objects, and build confidence through short, supervised adventures. Socialization has officially begun.
While it may look like simple play now, these early milestones are an essential part of preparing each puppy for a future of service. With the right foundation, they will go on to bring comfort, support, and independence to those who need it most.
Help us give them the best head start possible! Our Amazon Wishlist is full of items that support healthy development—from toys and treats to training tools and essentials. Every item you send helps us raise confident, well-socialized pups ready for the next step in their journey.
We’ve been busy bringing some much-needed calm to workplaces and schools around Charlotte through one of our most loved programs, Stress Down Days. With a few wagging tails and lots of puppy kisses, our pups-in-training have been delivering joy one cuddle at a time.
A huge thank you to the incredible teams and schools that recently hosted us: Wells Fargo, Force Management, Women Leading Ed Conference, Lockton Companies, Robinson & Bradshaw PA, Marvin Ridge High School, Central Academy of Technology & Arts School, National Energy Affordability Coalition’s Annual Conference, Fisher P.A., and Cousin’s Properties.
From high-rise conference rooms to high school hallways, these Stress Down Days not only gave students and employees a well-deserved break, they also played a crucial role in our mission.
For those unfamiliar, Stress Down Days are interactive visits where our adorable puppies provide playtime, cuddles, and instant mood boosts. But there’s more to it. These events help socialize our pups in real-world environments, an essential part of preparing them to become confident, dependable service dogs.
And thanks to the generous support from each host, these visits also help fund the care and training that makes our work possible. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
We’re so grateful to each organization that opened their doors and hearts to our pups, and we can’t wait to bring more puppy-powered stress relief across the Queen City.