SHELTER DOGS FOR VETERANS
Welcome to Shelter Dogs for Veterans, where we transform the lives of shelter dogs and those who have served our country. Our mission is to train these deserving dogs as service companions for veterans and first responders, providing them with support, comfort, and companionship. Through our dedicated training programs, we aim enhance the well-being of both the dogs and the heroes they serve. Join us in making a difference, one paw at a time!
TRAINING SHELTER DOGS AS SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS SUFFERING FROM PTSD, TBI AND MST
PHILOSOPHY
Sharon believes that all dogs should be trained using no harm emotionally or physically. Training of dogs should be fun and painless for both the dog and owner. Sharon also believes that diet and nutrition play a very important role in a dog's behavior and actively promotes a holistic approach for your pet. Keeping your dog happy, healthy and well trained keeps the owner happy and healthy as well.
SHARON CALLAN
​President
Sharon Callan is a Certified Dog Trainer. Sharon is actively working with Gilmer County Animal Shelter in Ellijay, Ellijay Paws in Need and Pickens Rescue Ranch.
She has also worked with Our Pals Place, Humane Society of Blue Ridge, and Homeward Bound. Sharon graduated from Animal Behavior College.
She trained with one of Atlanta, Georgia's leading trainers, Susan Giordano M.Ed.,CPDT of K9U. She continues to study new techniques and regularly attends seminars, workshops provided by leading instructors.
Sharon's work has included training of many household pets, shelter dogs, a pot belly pig, two Senegal Parrots and a Frizzle chicken all through positive reward based training. She works with dogs with behavior issues as well.
Sharon's goal is to save as many dogs lives through rescue from High Kill Shelters as possible and match with veterans in need.
​Sharon is now:
1. Certified Postiive Reward Based Dog Trainer
2. AKC Instructor/Trainer/Evaluator (CGC, CCGC, UCGC)
3. Certified Therapy Dog Trainer
4. Certified Service Dog Trainer
5. Service Dog Trainer for PTSD/TBI/MST
6. AKC Instructor/Evaluator Star Puppy
7. Pets for Vets Trainer
8. TADSAW Trainer
9. Trained for Operation Battle Buddies
10. Member Wounded Warrior Program
11. Professional Member American Professional Dog Trainers
12. Mentor Trainer for Animal Behavior College
​​​
​
​
​
​
​
PETER CALLAN
Vice President/Treasurer
Peter grew up in a small town in Southern Ontario, Canada.
He earned a BA in Economics and So​ciology at the University of Western Ontario at London, Ontario. He further earned an Intermediate Accounting Certificate at Conestoga College of Arts and Technology at Kitchener, Ontario.
He has been employed in accounting fields in both Canada and the United States, in the Public and Private sectors.
Since moving to North Georgia in 1998, he and his wife Sharon have been deeply involved in the rescue and adoption of all breeds of dogs.
They have several of their own “Canine Children” at home with them.
​He has worked as a volunteer for the Blue Ridge Humane Society, Homeward Bound and the Pickens County Animal Shelter.
He has participated with Rescue Groups including the transportation of adopted dogs to their new “Forever” owners.
In 2012 he teamed with his rescued and adopted pet Andy to earn the Canine Good Citizen Award.
Peter has been trained and certified in Dog and Cat First Aid through Cold Nose College.​.
Samuel Melendez, is a Certified Dog Trainer and Kennel Master who has been training with one of Georgia's leading trainers, Sharon Callan. He is a twenty-year Retired Army Ranger, and his deployments include: one deployment to New Orleans in support of Hurricane Katrina Relief, one deployment to Iraq and two deployments to Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division, and one deployment to Kuwait with the 18th Airborne Corps. Sam wants to give back to the Veteran, Law Enforcement, and First Responder community after witnessing firsthand, that members of the community are expected to deal with traumas(physically and mentally) alone or with minimal help once leaving their chosen professions. This leads to waiting years on a waitlist, having to pay thousands of dollars, or just being denied for a service dog.
Samuel Melendez graduated from Custom Canine Unlimited Full Service K9 Course and Kennel Master Course. He has a strong connection and bond with dogs and continues to study new techniques and methods of training that cause no harm emotionally or physically to the dogs and make training fun and painless for both the dog and owner. His training skills and area of focus give a second chance at life to as many dogs through rescue from high-kill shelters as possible.
His wife Niki (Retired Army Veteran) and their Service Dogs Joker (former stray) and Harley Quinn (former shelter dog) were trained by Sharon through Shelter Dogs for Veterans and they focus on teaching communication with Positive Reward Based Training, while helping other Veterans understand that they can live their life once again by building a strong relationship, bond, and having complete trust with their dogs. His Service Dog Harley Quinn has helped him cope with his PTSD, TBI, and other medical issues.