That's one of the things I love about Christmastime. It's the season of giving, of looking past yourself and seeing the needs of others. It's about sharing what you've been given with someone who may need it more. Sheri Soltes does this all year round.
Recently I visited Texas Hearing and Service Dogs, a non-profit organization with a fantastic mission. Founder Sheri Soltes rescues dogs from local animal shelters and with the help of a very dedicated staff, teaches the animals to assist people with physical challenges. Not only do the people gain a freedom they would not otherwise have, the dogs get a new lease on life.
In 1995, Sheri let us join in the fun. She contacted Dave Force, our former Vice President of Animal Training then Zoological Operations at SeaWorld San Antonio seeking our philosophy in training animals. The relationship has grown ever since. Steve Aibel, Assistant Curator of Animal Training, and Tricia Dees, Senior Animal Trainer, share their time and knowledge in regular visits to the facility near Austin. I am honored to have been invited myself and look forward to more visits in the future.
The trainers of Texas Hearing and Service Dogs are simply amazing. Their commitment and passion for what they do is inspirational. They literally change lives on a daily basis. I am humbled to have the opportunity to use what I have learned as a whale trainer at SeaWorld to help enrich the lives of animals and ultimately the lives of other people.
Tricia Dees agrees, “It is such a rewarding experience. Not only are we able to help a non-profit organization, but we get to do something completely different from what we do daily at SeaWorld. It's fun to watch training sessions regardless of whether the animal is a dog or parrot or whale. They share the belief that we should treat the animals with respect. What they do is inspirational. Sheri was a lawyer who wanted to give back and now helps both people and animals.”
Stephanie Racier with Excalibur...And this is only the beginning. Sheri and her team are reaching out to more humans and canines alike on a daily basis. They are able to train dogs that assist those who have sacrificed so much to help us by serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, they train Child Advocacy dogs that serve to calm children in difficult courtroom scenarios. Texas Hearing and Service Dogs has also begun the Honor Dogs program where newly adopted dogs will live with and be trained by inmates - another win-win situation.
This Christmas, I am thankful for the gift Sheri Soltes has given me. She has given me the chance to be part of something that is so much bigger than me.
Want to help? Foster homes are needed for the animals on weekends. www.servicedogs.org
