S2S News: May 2024

GREETINGS FROM SHELTER2SERVICE!

We are so PROUD to be providing our FIRST newsletter and even more excited that YOU are a part of our special mission!

Since our inception in February 2024, we have much to update you on. FIRST, I want to thank our team, Carm, Dua, Barbara, and Mike, all who volunteer their time to make our mission, meaning 100% of all donations go to sourcing and training service dogs.

Updates:

In February, we FINALLY were able to secure a registration for our non-profit as well as a business bank account. For those NOT in Austria, this process is extremely complicated and moves at the speed of Winter Canadian Molasses. But, it’s done! And we are official!

In April, Shelter2Service (S2S) began the registration process for SAM.gov to prepare for all USG programs that may surface. In fact, the USG has already solicited a request for information regarding organizations that can assist with the health and wellness of Ukrainian disabled veterans. S2S has responded to the RFI and are awaiting further engagement.

The S2S website is up and running! Carm has done a great job and we encourage you to check it out, provide recommendations, and share it with friends! www.shelter2service.org

S2S completed all paperwork to be registered internationally in the NCAGE system. For those who get lost in acronyms, let me explain. CAGE, or the Commercial and Government Entity database, is a registry of all legitimate entities. The ‘N’ in front of CAGE allows for NATO and NATO partner nations (like Austria!) the ability to register their businesses. We have been approved and our NCAGE number is 8194N!

At Aviano Air Base, the Ruff Ryders added S2S as a sponsor to their local event, handing out pamphlets and fliers for our mission! (see the poster below)

Because of an unforeseen issue in pairing a service dog with one of Kynotec’s other clients, S2S was offered a trained service dog for disabilities. We are currently vetting a U.S. disabled veteran in Italy who’s a bilateral tibial amputee and if all goes well, we will pair the two within the next few months!

In May, our founder, Retired Colonel Jeffrey Fischer, was invited to speak at and take part in the GPEC2024 (German Police Equipment Conference). The event was in Leipzig, Germany, and Zoe was NOT impressed with the drive. (see photo below)  This event was HUGE, with a floor of over 400 vendors representing 33 countries (to include South Korea). Along with Kynotec, our partner, Jeff and Andi represented our two organizations spectacularly, generating buzz and making contacts across Europe.

One of our long-term goals is to convince European Ministries (Defense, Interior, and Health) that funding service dogs for disabled military, police, and fire veterans has benefit. Such funding, along with the donations we received from private individuals, will only assist rescue dogs and help the disabled, providing both with a brighter second chance at life. (See photo below)

Below are some key talking points we often use when discussing our mission. We are delighted to share them with you.

Background:

Shelter2Service was founded and is relentlessly dedicated to address key problem sets in Europe:

• The EU estimates ~100.000.000 abandoned companion animals in Europe.
• Europe is home to over 1,000,000 U.S., ally and partner veterans. That number is growing rapidly given the Ukraine war.
• A recent UK reports states 55% of their combat veterans have disabilities.
• Compared to the U.S. and Canada, Europe’s assistance dog programs are nearly non-existent.

Mission Statement:

• Identify and train viable shelter dogs as EU (Messerli Institute) qualified service dogs and pair them with disabled veterans / first responders.

About Us:

• S2S is a legally registered Austrian non-profit organization with NCAGE and SAM accounts.
• In 2023, S2S sourced and trained a proof-of-concept service dog, originally from Belarus. Today, she’s a professionally trained and a Messerli Institute certified service dog.
• In 2024, S2S plans to triple that number with a scalable plan to five dogs in 2025. These numbers are resource constrained and could double with adequate funding.

Why:

Service animals offer first, second and third-order effects:

• Numerous studies prove the benefits of assistance dogs for disabled war veterans, both physical and mental.
• There are few more valuable public displays available than a service dog caring for those who rushed into danger for a grateful nation.
• For $20k-$50k per dog, the cost over the animal’s service life (~10 years), is manageable.
• Advocacy and support could jumpstart Europe governments to mirror USG efforts in funding service animal training and care.
• Perceptions of canines across Europe vary significantly. Nations exhibiting poor canine treatment could experience positive strategic impacts from introducing service animals.
• Leveraging Messerli Institute standards can encourage nations to adopt commensurate ‘Canine Rule of Law’ constructs.

Who:

• Founded by Air Force Colonel (Ret.) Jeffrey H. Fischer, a 30-year combat veteran who also served as a diplomat in partnership with USAID.
• Today, Jeff is a fiction thriller author in Austria and is often in European media (print and television) as a national security expert. With three assignments in Europe, Jeff has firsthand knowledge of the problem set, and with a service dog of his own, is soberly aware of the challenges.

On behalf of all at S2S!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

Respectfully,
Jeff

Jeffrey H. Fischer
Founder & CEO Shelter2Service
www.shelter2service.org
AUT Non-Profit: 1678341677