Organized by Wileys Wish
Animal Rescue & Veteran Service Dog Training
Wiley, my rescued fur angel dog, inspired me to start the journey of saving animals’ lives full-time.
Hi, my name is Sam. I was in the Army for 15 years.
I found Wiley in the desert in Wickenburg Arizona. She was either dumped or had been swept over by a monsoon. Finding her in the desert honestly broke my heart.
I had just made some major changes in my life and I felt very abandoned and alone. I am sure that she too felt the same way. I could not leave her there alone. It turns out, we needed each other and I didn’t even realize how much I needed her until after I had her.
I posted flyers in case she was lost, but no one claimed her. It was really sad that no one claimed her. She was scared and alone, and no one wanted her, but I wanted her.
After several deployments, I was medically retired by the Army.
I was depressed, suicidal, and experiencing PTSD symptoms.
Wiley saved my life and impacted every part of me. Knowing that she needed me to take care of her gave me a reason to wake up in the morning and to be ok. Having her as a companion/service dog helped me with my PTSD.
She helped me stay alive long enough to meet Angel Kleiner, my business partner. Angle believed in my dream of saving animals and training service dogs for Veterans and 1st Responders. Angel’s dream has always been to save animals and give them a loving forever home, so together, we were able to create Wiley’s Wish Animal Rescue.
If you believe veterans and rescued animals both deserve a second chance, donate what you can. Every little bit helps!
Wiley’s Wish’s mission is to save animals from high-kill shelters and animals that have been abandoned to find loving forever homes.
Our goal and Wiley‘s wish is one life. It’s one dog’s life that we save.
It’s one Veteran that doesn’t commit suicide because of having a rescued service dog.
It’s one incarcerated Veteran's life that we impact and has the chance to start fresh.
We count the one; the one life that was saved because of what we do and we will do it every single day for the rest of our lives for that one animal and that one person.
We rescue dogs, cats, horses, and many other kinds of animals. We rehabilitate and train dogs to be service dogs for our nation’s heroes, Veterans, and 1st Responders.
We also partner with everyday heroes to foster rescued animals. Wiley’s Wish Animal Rescue provides for all needs, including food, shots, medicine, beds, toys, etc., of the dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, horses, and/or other animals being fostered.
Please donate! Every dollar directly impacts rescued animals, Veterans, and saves lives.
We recently purchased land to build a rescued animal shelter and training grounds. We are raising funds to help build kennels, a barn, horse stalls, and purchase necessary ongoing items such as food, medicine, crates, beds, leashes, collars, and other necessities for the rescued animals.
Wiley's Wish Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We rely on the kindness, goodwill, and generosity of individuals and corporations.
Wiley’s Wish Training Service Dogs for Veterans
Many service members, who have suffered physical or psychological harm and have returned to civilian life, may find it incredibly challenging. According to some estimates, up to 20% of returning service members and veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
According to many studies, professionally trained PTS service dogs can ease afflicted veterans' stress and anxiety, lower their sadness, help them reintegrate into society more easily, and provide them comfort and confidence.
Pets can also experience trauma as a result of maltreatment and or being abandoned on the streets. Both are seeking a fresh start, and they discover it in the other.
Service dogs improve the veteran's quality of life and mental health. Many valiant Veterans, who desire to return to their regular life, are able to with the help of a faithful canine companion.
Veteran Inmates training Rescued Service Dogs for Veterans
The University of Denver and Wiley‘s Wish Animal Rescue have partnered to develop a curriculum in canine studies for incarcerated Veterans to train rescued service dogs for other Veterans and First Responders. Veteran and trainer Samantha is working on a curriculum with the University of Denver to make it possible for incarcerated Veterans to be able to obtain an AS degree in canine studies.
The intention is that the program will expand to include a bachelor’s and master's degree program. Soledad prison is one of many that is part of the research and the development of the curriculum along with a prison in Israel and a prison in Uganda.
The intention is that a program in canine studies will be utilized in prisons across the world.
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