Paws of War hosted a homecoming Tuesday evening for one of their Veterans who adopted a dog now training in Paws of War’s training facility. Staff Sergeant Santiago Mejia was deployed earlier this year to Kuwait and Iraq and returned home Monday, November 6.
After adopting his dog, Tobias, or better known to friends as Tobi, Santiago and his wife, Yuliana attended Tuesday night training classes at Paws of War to help acclimate Tobias to his new family.
“I found out I was going to get deployed almost two years before I left. My priority was to get a dog so she [Yuliana] wouldn’t be alone,” says Mejia. “After we got him, I found a Veteran at Banfield that told me about Paws of War. My biggest concern was if they would allow me to train before I left and let my wife come along with me.”
The couple began training Tobias together, teaching him how to listen to commands and stay focused while in public. In return, he provides Yuliana with companionship and helps Santiago with staying relaxed. “For myself, I suffered from tinnitus and a bit of PTSD and Tobi helps me when I’m out to relax. He keeps me engaged, and I feel normal with his help.”
When Santiago got deployed earlier this year, Tobias’ training had not been completed yet. Yuliana then stepped in to keep Tobi on track and ready for Santiago’s return. Tobi has been training every Tuesday night for over two years. These Tuesday nights became a positive activity for the couple and Tobi.
“It really felt like a family going to class,” explains Mejia. “They welcomed my wife, knowing I was possibly going to get deployed any moment. I left great knowing they were in great hands and that they were treated as if I were present.”
“They were very supportive and helped me through the tough times,” says Yuliana. “Even when I felt I would rather stay at home, I came out to class and it was very helpful for me and Tobi.
Paws of War not only matches rescue dogs with Veterans and first responders, but they also aid in every step after that. In training class, the owners are actually the ones doing the training under the instruction of licensed dog trainers that Paws of War provides. This way, the dogs get used to listening to their owners, and families can have a firm understanding of how their dogs will respond.
Mejia explains how Paws of War has been a huge help in making the whole process and transition seamless.
“They have given us the tools we needed to get him trained,” he says. “Since it’s just us, I tend to do everything as a family. Paws of War had given us the tools we needed to keep the family as one and enjoy wonderful moments. While I was deployed, they kept my wife engaged and helped her on a weekly basis to come out of the house for more than just work. It was amazing getting on the phone and hearing her tell me how proud she was of Tobi with each bit of process they kept making.”
Paws of War is a very personal and encouraging organization for Veterans and first responders. The members share beautiful experiences, and it provides a second home for them, their families and their dogs.
“It’s an amazing organization. I have to give Donna an extra shout out because without her, I don’t know if we could have made it through the program. She was extra patient with us and gave us 110% each class no matter what.”
Mejia’s return home was an exciting and festive one for both his family and his Paws of War family. With his wife’s help, Mejia planned on coming to the scheduled Tuesday night class to surprise his classmates and friends. Instead, they surprised him right back by throwing a party in replace of class that evening. Mejia was welcomed by his whole family including his mother, brother, sister-in-law, and nieces and nephews, as well as members of his training team and their dogs, Paws of War volunteers, founder Rob Misseri, and their class trainer, Donna.
“I thought I was going to surprise them, but my wife was able to pull it off! I was caught off guard on that one,” Mejia admits. “I have never really had a surprise welcome home party, and it was amazing having everyone there. It made me feel very special.”
