We welcomed Valor to SDF in late 2019, from the San Clemente Dana Point Animal Shelter, but when routine medical screening revealed an elbow condition, he was released from SDF’s training program and made available for career change or adoption to a loving home through our Canine Placement Program.
Valor tried his paw at invasive mussel detection with Mussel Dogs, but that wasn’t quite the right fit, and he returned to SDF. He was then adopted by a family, and though they loved him, he was a bit too much dog for them, and he returned to SDF once more. Then, in August 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Valor finally found his “paw-fect” match in Iwonka! More than four years later, the pair is as happy as ever, and we were touched to receive this heartfelt letter recently from Iwonka detailing her journey with Valor thus far:
Valor, a Malinois/German Shepherd cross, was 2.5 years old when I adopted him from the Search Dog Foundation (SDF) in August 2020 at the height of COVID. Since then, Valor connected me with my community, and my love for Valor inspired me to help shelter animals.
Though Valor isn’t with SDF anymore, he always searches for items on our walks and maintains his breed’s prey drive. Over the years, he found hundreds of balls, children’s toys, dog toys, and his favorite item, pacifiers resulting in his nickname Big Baby Valor! Valor’s instincts have rubbed off, and sometimes I spot treasures before he does!
With Valor as my personal trainer during COVID, I walked up to 8 miles a day while I worked remotely. I shed my COVID weight gain caused by constant sitting and inactivity. Valor also instilled good computer habits by ensuring I took computer breaks when he needed potty breaks!
Valor connects me with neighbors I would have never met without having a pet. Though the town was isolating during COVID, it was wonderful to see people walking their dogs. We would wave from a distance, and over time, we learned owner and pet names. I continue meeting new friends as more people adopt dogs and walk them. My town now feels even friendlier because of the canine community.
Once COVID was behind us, the number of animals in shelters or being rehomed on social apps was heartbreaking. When I looked at Valor, I imagined how scared and lonely he felt being abandoned at a shelter before SDF gave him a second chance. I wanted to make a difference for shelter animals and the rescue organizations helping them find new homes.
In April 2023, I organized a pet supplies, blanket, and food drive at my church called Critter Comfort. Valor was the flyer “poster-dog” featured under a blanket. Parishioners’ generosity was astounding as my 2-car garage overflowed with donations. They were distributed to 10 shelters and rescues. The spark for something bigger was ignited.
In May 2023, I started the St. Francis Animal Ministry to raise awareness of the plight of shelter animals, encourage compassion toward animals, and provide a platform to make a difference. Our members range from elementary students to retirees. We hold Spring and Fall “Critter Comfort” drives, sponsor underserved families with pets by donating pet Christmas gifts along with pet store gift cards offsetting ownership costs, and coordinate parish-wide blanket making events supporting shelters/rescues. The crowning achievement so far was-organizing four dog adoption events featuring local rescues where 17 dogs found their “furever” homes.
Energized by our community impact, Valor and I will continue working to make the world better for pets in need of their own love story.
Our hearts are full knowing Valor is happy, healthy, and cherished—our greatest hope for every dog who comes through SDF’s gates—and we absolutely love that Valor has inspired Iwonka to continue making a difference in the lives of shelter animals through her volunteerism and the founding of the St. Francis Animal Ministry!
Click here to learn more about our Canine Placement Program!