SOUTHAMPTON ANIMAL
SHELTER FOUNDATION

The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is a nonprofit, open admission, no kill shelter that relies on the generosity of their donors and volunteers to care to for the homeless animals in its community, and to place them in loving “forever homes.” Whether caring for strays found wandering the streets, rescuing neglected and abandoned animals, or saving dogs from the horrors of the puppy mill industry, the shelter is a safe haven for all animals and for some, a last resort. The shelter provides a steppingstone for animals to find a loving home.

Operation Warrior Shield is a charitable organization, whose primary mission is to provide comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans and first responders, with a focus on “Healing Their Hidden Wounds” through no-cost holistic wellness services.

Chaired by Jean Shafiroff, the event honored William Bratton, former Police Commissioner of New York City, and Jonathan McCann, founding President of SASF. The Honorary Chair was Georgina Bloomberg. The annual event has been the most important fundraiser for the shelter for over a decade, featuring a reception, seated dinner and dancing. A live and silent auction helped raise much-needed funds for SASF’s animal residents and programs, as well as garnering enthusiastic support specifically for Operation Canine Companion.  

LOVING SUPPORT
Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Chris Quirin was in attendance with his new canine companion, Layla, a yellow Labrador retriever mix. Quirin is the first veteran through this partnership to be honored and presented with what he calls, “a precious gift to myself and my family. The love Layla adds to our family is immeasurable. We are in love with her,” the veteran said. “There is no denying the comfort, acceptance and genuine friendship a sweet pup like Layla shares with me, my wife Patrice, and everyone around her. We are truly appreciative for the opportunity to bring Layla into our lives,” Quirin continued.

LOVING COMPANION
“We are excited to work with Chris as we grow this program,” said Chief Master Sgt. Ed Schloeman, Founder and CEO of Operation Warrior Shield. “We thank Chris for his service and sacrifices, and we are honored to be able to provide such a beautiful and loving companion to him through our collaboration with Pat Deshong and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. Our goal is to provide specially trained, loving and supportive canine companions to veterans and first responders and their families who live with physical and emotional injuries incurred during their time in service,” added Schloeman. 

Deshong described the pet selection process. “Not every dog qualifies to be a trained companion dog. Our trainers spend many hours evaluating each dog for their temperament in different environments, and how they might accept corrections and commands.” Each dog will receive approximately three to five months of training. Deshong continued, “Our program is unique in that we place the dog in the veteran’s home during most of that period, and we provide training instructions to the veteran/handler, so they are active participants in training the dog as well. Because accepting a pet is a long-term commitment, we focus on setting the stage for the vet and their pet to develop compatibility and a partnership for the rest of their lives together.”

According to the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention report, an average of seventeen veterans commit suicide daily. Carbone explained, “It is in response to this tragedy that Operation Warrior Shield reaches out to assist military and first responders and their families who are fighting a daily battle for improved quality of life, to help them find a path to inner and outer health and well-being.” 

According to the 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention report, an average of seventeen veterans commit suicide daily. Carbone explained, “It is in response to this tragedy that Operation Warrior Shield reaches out to assist military and first responders and their families who are fighting a daily battle for improved quality of life, to help them find a path to inner and outer health and well-being.”