RED SKELTON Rescue & Service Dog Society
“You can retire from a job, but do not ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.” - by Stephen Covey
The “RED SKELTON Rescue & Service Dog Society” (www.REDSkeltonRescue.org) was founded in 2020 as a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization, dedicated to helping autistic children, wounded warriors and emergency personnel in need of love, comfort and support from their best friends. www.RedSkeltonRescue.org.
People Behind the Cause
Steve and Dr. Nataliya Whitaker developed one of America’s premier German Shepherd breeding programs in Temecula, California, - www.TopShepherd.com. The Service side of this program has grown beyond what one family can do.
The Whitaker’s work tirelessly each day to develop and transform their Gifting Program into the “RED SKELTON Rescue & Service Dog Society”. What started as a local, two-person organization turned into one of the Country’s leading service & companion dog organizations. Nataliya came to this country twenty years ago from Eastern Europe, as a medical doctor who from a very young age had a passion for training german shepherds. She met and fell in love with Steve in Lake Elsinore, CA in 2004. Steve has been breeding and training dogs his whole life. He raised his 1st german shepherd on Catalina Island while teaching scuba diving with Argo Diving Services. Together, The Whitaker’s built Top Shepherd Kennels into a successful breeding program, with quality German genetics, healthy puppies and ethical breeding focused on genuine love for these incredible dogs.
Every year the Steve and Nataliya donate a puppy or trained dog to Our wounded warrior’s and autistic families in need of a service or companion dog. It has been their dream to create a non-profit organization able to provide more people and families in need, the perfect dog that truly fits their life. With the acquisition of the Red Skelton Ranch, in Anza, California, it is finally time to kickstart this program into overdrive and provide help for many people and families. During the biggest pandemic in history and all of our new social distancing requirements, families at home have greater needs for service and companion dogs. There is a great need for the unconditional love, the perfect protection and absolute devotion a German Shepherd can bring. Our team of trainers, with decades of knowledge, experience and education are ready to aid you in the earch for your perfect Friend.
The Plan
The RED SKELTON Rescue & Service Dog Society plan to give forty German Shepherd service or companion dogs to families in need by Christmas in 2021. We need your help! Every moment, of every day a German Shepherd saves a life. Through their fierce devotion to the family they love and protect. Through their keen intelligence to those in need. Through their love, licks and kisses helping an autistic child feel safe, cared for, and expand their world.
Service Dog Program
What is a service dog? Under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability.
Our wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, our veterans from prior wars have a real need for a best friend. One that knows when they need help, love and support as they re-enter civilian life. Our service dogs are trained to take a specific action when needed to assist these heroes.
Companions 4 Families
This need led The RED SKELTON Rescue & Service Dog Society to launch, “Companions 4 Families”, a program that provides emotional support animals and family training to develop a bond of devotion and love for individuals and families in need. www.RedSkeltonRescue.org .
We Need Your Support!
The RED SKELTON Rescue & Service Dog Society needs your support to help real people and real families in need. Please go to www.RedSkeltonRescue.org and give. We need Volunteers to help build new kennels, to clean and support the dogs, to work with and help with obedience training for these amazing dogs. Please go to www.RedSkeltonRescue.org and volunteer.
We also need and welcome monetary donations for food, supplies, and support for those who need help but lack the funds to provide the daily care and support their new best friend requires. Please go to www.RedSkeltonRescue.org and donate now.
“You can retire from a job, but do not ever retire from making extremely meaningful contributions in life.” - by Stephen Covey
Our Mission
Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans is a coalition of non-profit service dog providers for military Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma working to prevent suicide and improve military Veterans’ mental health.
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ENSURE
Ensure that Veterans are provided with the highest quality service dogs.
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ENABLE
Enable Veterans to effortlessly identify and connect with qualified organizations nationally.
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PROMOTE
Promote nonprofit industry standards for member service dog providers.
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ADVOCATE
Advocate for the increased use of service dogs for Veterans with post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma.
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EDUCATE
Educate the public on the medical benefits of service dogs.