She came from a rescue with an uncertain future and a heart full of potential. Now, she’s beginning a new chapter as Nova. She is a service dog in training, preparing to support a veteran living with invisible wounds like PTSD, TBI, or MST. Her journey has just begun, but the impact she’ll make will last a lifetime.

Through our partnership with Shelter to Soldier, the Frontwave Foundation is proud to help make that transformation possible. Giving her a name was a meaningful first step in a mission rooted in healing, purpose, and connection.

This effort reflects our military roots and commitment to building stronger, more supportive communities. It also supports Shelter to Soldier’s mission of Saving Lives, Two at a Time. 

Follow Nova on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/p/DKPQ1k9xicC/

   

A Cause Close to Home

The Frontwave Foundation, established in 2020, was created to carry forward a legacy of service and giving. One of its core pillars is to support veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.

Shelter to Soldier shares that mission. This non-profit rescues dogs from local shelters and trains them as psychiatric service animals for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, or Military Sexual Trauma. Each pairing offers emotional stability, renewed purpose, and a life-changing bond.

Nova’s Story

We met Nova at Shelter to Soldier’s sixth annual Saving Lives One Swing at a Time Golf Tournament on April 25. The event raised over $66,000 to support this life-changing mission. Rescued by local nonprofit Labs and More, Nova is now training to become a psychiatric service dog, thanks to your continued support.

Over the next 12 to 18 months, she’ll learn specialized tasks like easing anxiety, applying calming pressure during moments of stress, and creating a sense of safety in crowded spaces. Her training will grant her public access rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so she can support her veteran wherever life takes them.

Once Nova reaches key training milestones, Shelter to Soldier will begin the careful matching process. Veterans on the waitlist are introduced to potential service dogs after meeting specific criteria and completing an initial training program. Each match is made thoughtfully and at the right pace, giving the veteran time to connect and assess the bond. There’s no pressure to accept a pairing that doesn’t feel right.

Once matched, the veteran and dog begin working together at the Shelter to Soldier facility, typically for an additional six to nine months. These training sessions focus on building trust and deepening the connection, so the dog isn’t just a helper but a true partner.

When Nova graduates, it will be more than a milestone. It will mark the beginning of a life-changing partnership founded on courage, connection, and care.

Why It Matters

This partnership is rooted in the same values that built our Credit Union: service, commitment, and showing up when it counts.

The Frontwave Foundation carries those values forward by turning purpose into action. By supporting a service dog in training through Shelter to Soldier, we are helping rewrite two stories. Rescuing a life, restoring another, and building a bond grounded in trust, healing, and hope.

Because service doesn’t stop with deployment. And support doesn’t stop at the uniform. Through the Foundation, we stand by that promise. One veteran. One dog. One mission at a time.

How You Can Help

The Frontwave Foundation is proud to fund this mission, but we can’t do it alone. Real change takes a community ready to stand up, step in, and make a difference. Your support helps train service dogs, uplift veterans, and strengthen the bonds that hold our communities together. This isn’t just a donation. It’s an investment in courage, connection, and second chances.

Be part of something bigger. Visit www.frontwavefoundation.com to learn more or make a gift today.