September 2025 E-Newsletter

September 2025 E-Newsletter

From blanket-pile battles to service dog breakthroughs, this month has been packed with puppy love, progress, and purpose. Catch the highlights! Putt for Pups is Almost Here...

The 12th Annual Lucas Kanelos Memorial Putt for Pups Charity Golf Tournament

Margaritas. Puppies. Good vibes on the greens. It’s all happening  Monday, October 6,  and we’re counting down the days! 

Soon we’ll gather to celebrate the life and legacy of Lucas Kanelos, a day filled with laughter, connection, and purpose as we raise support to change lives through service dogs.

We’ll begin the day with heartfelt words from Sharon Kanelos. Then it’s time to grab your clubs and hit the course. Tee off with friends old and new, enjoy fun games and contests along the way, and our pups in training will be there to cheer you on. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet these future service dogs, enjoy delicious food and drinks (yes, including margaritas!), and soak up the sunny, festive atmosphere.

The day will close with a powerful speech from Matt Piscitelli, father to  Joy from our Paws for a Child campaign.  He’ll share what it means to have Chance, a service dog currently in training, being evaluated for his daughter, and how the community of support and funds raised through the campaign made it possible. Dinner and a raffle will round out the evening, creating a memorable finish to a day of celebration, fun, and giving back.

Putt for Pups is almost here and it’s going to be one to remember.

A special thank-you to our sponsors for making this event possible: Stonemont Financial, Sunbelt Rentals, Axle and Kevin Rosen, SPX Technologies, Charlotte Wealth Advisors, MSS Solutions, Precision Walls, Inc., Cameron Carmichael, The Curtis Family, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., Carolina Family Healthcare, Setech, Concert Stuff Group, Brasfield and Gorrie, The Frank Raiti Family Fund, K9s For Warriors, Cary Consulting Group, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Tiffany Crabtree, Commercial Credit Group, Catalyst Surety, Rodgers Builders Inc., BluePath Service Dogs, The Good Brand, Lowry Insurance, The Pressley Family, Club Pilates Waxhaw & Indian Trail, The Baist Family, The McAvoy Family, The Lennon Family, Oncology Specialist of Charlotte, Paws That Serve, Steele Creek Animal Hospital, Rest Assured Animal Cremations, The Carey Family, and The Hallmark Family.

Check out last year's recap!👇

Prince Takes the Next Big Step in His Training!

September is National Service Dog Month, a perfect time to celebrate the incredible work our pups and their future partners are doing. We are thrilled to share that Prince has officially started his formal task training! This milestone brings him one step closer to his future role as a mobility service dog for our 2024 Giving Tuesday recipient, Peter Chryst. Watching Prince grow from a playful pup into a focused working dog has been such a joy, and now he’s ready to take on the specialized skills that will help Peter live with greater independence and confidence every day.

In the months ahead, Prince will be learning tasks that allow him to assist Peter in practical ways, provide comfort during stressful moments, and become a steady companion he can rely on. Each step in his training brings him closer to transforming Peter’s daily life.

We’re so proud of how far Prince has come and can’t wait to cheer him on as he continues this next chapter!

Puppies, Puppies, and More Puppies!

It’s an exciting time at Project 2 Heal because Rosie and Rooster’s litter has just turned 7 weeks old! These sweet all-girl pups are right in the middle of one of the most important stages of their development. At this age, they are starting to build their first social skills, learning how to play together, and figuring out how to communicate through body language, little barks, and playful pounces.

They’re also becoming braver explorers each day. Every new sight, sound, and smell helps them learn about the world and prepare for all the experiences they’ll encounter as future service dogs. Whether it’s tumbling over each other in the blanket pile, testing out who gets the prized toy, or discovering how loud their squeaks can be, every moment is an important step in their growth.

We can’t wait to share more of their adventures with you as they continue to grow and prepare for the next chapter of their journey. Stay tuned to our socials for plenty of adorable updates and to see where these little ones are headed next!

Community Corner: From Baseball Diamonds to Remembrance

It’s been a heartwarming couple of weeks for our Project 2 Heal family, filled with smiles, snuggles, and a little bit of puppy chaos!

We recently joined the Charlotte Knights for Community Corner, and fun was in full swing. From cheering on the Knights to spotting roaming dinosaurs and snuggling with Chance and Billy, the day was packed with laughter, excitement, and maybe a few puppy-induced giggles. We even saw some familiar faces in the crowd, including our friends from Sunbelt Rentals. It was amazing to share the thrill of the game with our supporters and celebrate the sense of community that makes our work possible.

We were also honored to attend the 9/11 Day of Service, Remembrance & Support at Freedom Park, hosted by USAA and Veteran's Bridge Home. Surrounded by veterans, families, and community members, our pups offered comfort, smiles, and plenty of snuggles. Their presence reminded us of the healing power of connection and the importance of coming together to support one another.

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at these events and to the organizations that made them possible. Moments like these remind us why we do what we do — building community, honoring legacies, and changing lives one wagging tail at a time.