Team Foster

Team Foster 100 from Frances Schwabenland on Vimeo.

Bike Race from Philadelphia to Cape May to raise money to provide service dogs to veterans.

We are so fortunate when life brings people into our path who accompany us and who inspire us. Yesterday, I had the good fortune to be with people who inspired me. I am working on a video for Team Foster. This organization honors the spirit and sacrifice of Captain Erick Foster who was killed while engaging enemy forces in 2007 in Iraq. Erick was a warrior, a leader, and an inspiration. He pushed himself and those around him to be better—to go a little farther, to give a little more. And that’s what Team Foster does.The U.S. military nor the VA nor the government provide funding or support for service dogs for veterans. While service dogs are vital tools in rehabilitation and recovery, they are also expensive and resource intensive. One service dog can take two years and more than $25,000 to properly prepare to partner. Team Foster raises money to provide trained service dogs at no cost to local veterans with their motto being “No Hero Left Behind”.

Juno learning life skills.

Yesterday, I met a true hero Sonny and his lovely wife Roxanne. They are people who once you meet them, you want them to be your new best friends! Married over 40 years, they definitely have the secret of how to create a long and happy marriage! Sonny went off to Vietnam before he even turned 20 and was severely injured there and a wheelchair provides the needed mobility for him. Over the past few years, he was diagnosed with MS and the couple lost a daughter only 6 years ago to an pulmonary embolism right after she found out she was pregnant. All of these things together would overwhelm most. Not this couple! They are meeting life head on, reaching out to enjoy moments and experiences, participating in many wheel chair sporting events and taking on speaking engagements to uplift others sharing what is possible. Through it all, Sonny and Roxanne have Juno, their service dog, right by their side! Juno has been trained to find Sonny’s phone when lost and bring it to him. This amazing service dog is able to push the handicap button to open doors and it recognizes the EXIT signs as a way out of a building. It can shut doors and follows more commands than I could count. Juno sleeps next to Sonny each night and they are constant companions by day. Sonny and Roxanne reach out to help so many and it was wonderful seeing how Team Foster was able to reach out to them and bring Juno into their family. A win win all the way around! A protector of life for a protector of life!

Juno right by Sonny’s Side