http://www.indiancreekkennels.com/, http://www.birdmasters.com/

Indian Creek Kennels, 43 Lasinski Road, Franklin, NJ (2024)

01/14/2024

On April 1, 2023 our team headed up to Argyle, WI for the NBHA Northern Regional Championship. The forecast of ice and snow had us a bit hesitant to make the journey, but based on their previous performances, our canine team was begging us for one more Championship opportunity before the trial season was through.
The course was vast and open with rolling hills making for different vantage points from any portion of the course. The first day’s running was unusually hot and sticky with dogs stopping to bite into what was left of the icy melting snow from the week prior.
In true Midwest fashion a blustering storm blew in for the second day’s running with a 40 degrees temperature drop!!
After being on the road for 9 weeks, both Garry and I needed to dig in to complete this final Championship task…. Pure Confidence gave us that motivation and with the same goal in mind staked his claim on the Championship title. This edge-seeking pointer crusaded through the course giving us a bird saturated performance, ending on a high note with a long but celebratory journey home for team Indian Creek! This was the 14th Championship title for Pure Confidence- Congratulations to owners Black Meadow Kennels!
Thanks to judges Frank and Mike Vicari, as well as Greg Blair, John and Deb Dlobik and the entire Twelve O’Clock field trial club for putting on a great event!

01/01/2024

Looking back on a highlight of 2023 as we welcome in the New Year….

On March 23, 2023 our travels brought us to Whetstone Wildlife management area in Williamsburg, MO for the NBHA Midwestern Championship. With trial chairmen Tim Penn, Kevin Western and judges Danny Draffen and Craig Hiatt in full attention it was destined to be an honorable event!

Star-studded performances graced the field with many multiple Champions and National Champions in the lineup. This galaxy of decorated competitors, deep muddy grounds, impenetrable cornfield cover and sharp frigid conditions did not intimidate Indian Creek Sprout from dusting the field of veterans! Her enthusiastic race matched her five prideful finds and with a twinkle in her eye she captured her first Championship title at just 3 years old!

An upcoming star herself, Sprout had a sparkle that Garry recognized very early in her career. Frequenting Championships (but not many of the companion stakes) we uncharacteristically decided to compete with her as a puppy while on our 2021 National campaign. She took this decision as a compliment ending her 2021 season as NBHA Open Puppy of the Year.
2022 was another shining moment for Sprout as she was crowned NBHA Open Derby of the Year! Topping off the trifecta, she aligned herself with the gold standard becoming a Champion in her first year competing as an Open Shooting Dog, signifying the sky is the limit!

Congratulations to all competitors! Thank you to all who made this a successful event and to all who work so hard throughout the year to make the world of field trials go round. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy 2024!

12/25/2023

Enjoy this fun Christmas read, while you ring in the holiday!

On March 10, 2023 the NBHA held the National Free for All Championship in Booneville, AR. After just coming off of the National Championship the week prior, the circuit tested our strengths with yet another two series event.

The course had to be modified due to flooding and required different demands of the dogs. The new design made extreme handling a requisite due to the overlap of tracks. The composure of many, often double digit finds, needed to be the top skill for all canine competitors if they were going to claim their place in the callbacks with the ultimate goal being the capture of the National crown.
With an encouraging track record, Pure Confidence (Tango) has had his sights set on this title for some time. Climbing the National Free for All ladder, his journey to the top began in 2019 when he made the callbacks but was edged out by fellow kennel mate Nat Ch Indian Creek Bocephus. A cancelled 2020 National Free for All Championship due to the pandemic made him only more eager to show himself in 2021 when he claimed the Runner Up title to Joe Link’s multiple Champion Erin’s Deja Vu in Inola, Oklahoma.

2022 proved to be a year with “National” in front of many titles as Pure Confidence was named NBHA National Champion and NBHA National Free for All Champion which secured his spot as 2022 National Open Shooting Dog of the Year for a second year in a row!
Determined to defend his title, he entered the 2023 National Free for All Championship with conviction. Familiar territory yet reconfigured grounds proved not to be a hindrance for this ultra consistent contender as he stepped into first place on the podium once again!
Congratulations to owners Black Meadow Kennels! Thank you to the judges Joyce Taylor and Steve Messick, NBHA President
Ken Sauer, Glenn Cumbie and the West Ark Field Trial Club for all their hard word and preparation for another class event!

10/11/2023

🎧"The Breakaway Podcast" EPISODE #5🎙️

Leading walking field trial handler, trainer, and breeder Mr. Garry Malzone of Indian Creek Kennels joins The Breakaway Podcast to talk about his start in field trials, the walking circuit, dogs, and looking forward into the future of the field trial game.

You can listen whenever and however on the following podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YNRDL8

Spotify: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/9uk9JrijODb

YouTube: https://youtu.be/lNLphkssYiU

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b04374db-7546-4f93-8203-240cf5919285/episodes/4a0686d7-1165-40b8-9993-544e5d3a15de/episode-5-garry-malzone-and-the-career-of-walking-professional

NBHA Website: https://www.nbhadog.org/index.php

Purina Pro Plan onX Hunt Gun Dog Supply Gundog Central Garmin Park Cities Quail Mule Brand Gear and Apparel

10/03/2023

On March 1, 2023 the Indian Creek team arrived in Danceyville, Tennessee for the NBHA National Championship. With the prestige of the two series event title and history of the field trial grounds, this Championship invokes mixed feelings of excitement, determination and a little bit of motivational pressure, felt by our entire team!

This year, three Indian Creek dogs secured their place in the call backs for a chance at the final crowning hour including Nat. CH Indian Creek Bocephus, Nat. CH Indian Creek Courageous Cat and last year’s winner Nat. CH Pure Confidence as a standby.

Once in the finals, Bocephus dug his heels in showcasing his persistence, power, stamina and bird finding ability affirming himself as National Champion!

This is the 15th Championship title for the pointer male, bred, raised, trained and developed by Garry, for proud owner and field trial supporter Ed Marron.
Bo and Garry have always had a special bond and intense working relationship. They play off of each other’s pride and showmanship, creating a true mastery of the competition.
There’s always a bit of a sarcastic edge to Bo’s performances that supports Garry’s passion and desire for the sport.
It creates that moment when each catches the other with such confidence and intention making it all appear so obvious……..

We would like to congratulate Ed Marron on adding another prestigious National Championship title to Bo’s winning record!!

Thank you to Greg Blair, Bill Currie, Dr. Gene Spiotta and the entire West Tennessee field trial club for hosting this class event.
Also thank you to judges Chad Chadwell and Zach Parsons for their professionalism and undivided attention!

08/19/2023

On February 9, 2023, after a three day journey from our South Carolina training grounds, the Indian Creek Team arrived in Molene, Kansas for the NBHA Western Regional Championship.
Waiting for us was freezing rain with extreme wind to match. Unloading the horses and caring for the dogs in these conditions certainly made us feel like we were met by the Wicked Witch of the West!

Thankfully, the storms lifted for a cold but cloudless event. The course consisted of a long breakaway with a few twists and turns through the jagged rocky terrain before dropping down and then steeply opening up to display the vast Kansas countryside. The uncertainty of the course proved to be a challenge for many.

Coming off of winning NBHA Purina Top Shooting Dog in the USA in 2021 and 2022 and no stranger to the winner’s circle, Pure Confidence put his experience on full display.
He swept up and down the ridged topography, carving out his own path and chiseling his way to his game with eight statuesque finds.
His signature style left an impression on both audience and landscape, his performance artfully etched in the stone of the Flint Hills, undeniably prevailing as the 2023 Western Champion!

Through admiration, Indian Creek Pineapple proved she too had what it takes to navigate unfamiliar territory claiming the first place spot in the Open Derby. She ran a speedy race scoring five perfect finds, some in secret locations. Along with her trusting handler Garry Malzone, she demonstrated there was nothing “rocky” about her composure on game!

Congratulations to our owners Black Meadow Kennels on both the Championship and Open Derby victory! An additional Congratulations to Jim Corpening on his Runner Up Championship. Thank you to the Wichita Bird Dog Club and the Delong Ranch for putting on a challenging and great event. Thank you to judges Josh Palmer and Travis Morgan for their attentiveness throughout the event!

07/04/2023

Our 2023 National Championship campaign was a fast and furious one! A few days in between competitions (which we reserved for training and traveling to the next event) left us little time to report back on our adventures.

What a more perfect time to begin our field trial “newsfeed” than the start of Summer.

On January 28th our National Campaign began with the NBHA Southern Regional Championship held at AG Preserve in Glenwood, Georgia.
The course has much to offer every canine competitor from long field edges to protective bird cover and objectives, all making for a challenging and exciting experience. Demonstrating he was up to the task of fulfilling both, Indian Creek Bocephus charged his way into the Championship spot with an extreme, powerful forward race. He posed pretty for his 3 perfect quail finds along the way, answering to the thickness of the cover. This pointer has captured the hearts of many throughout his career (mine included) and kicking off the season with a Championship win surely added to the pride and happiness already felt by owner Ed Marron and handler Garry Malzone! Congratulations! Thank you to judges George Hickox and Mitch Osborne as well as AG Preserve and the entire Gunby family for putting on another great event with southern hospitality at its core!
Congratulations to all!!

12/25/2022

Santa isn't the only one dashing through the snow this Christmas.... Wishing you a happy, healthy and warm holiday season from our team of National Champions! Introducing 2023 Team Indian Creek!!

10/30/2022

Fall foliage and pumpkin spice aren’t the only orange things on your mind this time of year… TREAT yourself to a bird dog just in time for this upcoming hunting season!
We have a thrilling selection of started English Pointers, English Setters and British Labradors sired by our National Champions sure to add to your Fall fun! For further information please contact Garry at 2013706960

10/28/2022

The 2021-2022 field trial season was one for the history books for Team Indian Creek! There was a lot to celebrate at the NBHA awards banquet held at the Purina Farms Event Center outside St. Louis, Missouri, including our accomplishments, awards, canine athletes, owners, friends, sponsors, and sacred milestones!

Team Indian Creek secured the following National awards through many engaging performances this season:

NBHA Purina National Open Shooting Dog of the Year - Ch Pure Confidence
Owners- Black Meadow Kennels (Ed Marron, David DeVries, John Avanzato, and John Bleeker)
Handler- Garry Malzone
Ed Marron, Patty Hensley, and John and Lori Bleeker were there to accept this commendable honor for Ch Pure Confidence for an astonishing second year in a row! “Tango” put down many exciting performances displaying his signature polish on game and irresistible charm! Congratulations to owners Black Meadow Kennels!

NBHA RU National Open Shooting Dog of the Year- Ch Erin’s Deja Vu
Owner- Joe Link
Handler- Garry Malzone
“Bess” showcased her brilliance this season and always knew when it was time to shine by adding a little sparkle to her performance!
Congratulations to owner Joe Link!

NBHA National Open Derby of the Year- Indian Creek Sprout
Owner- Jillian Stuhr, Handler- Garry Malzone
This is Sprout’s second National NBHA Dog of the Year Award, as she previously won 2020-2021 Open Puppy of the Year. Sprout’s commitment to her craft made her undeniable this year and one with a bright future!

NBHA National Open Derby Handler of the Year- Garry Malzone

NBHA National Open Shooting Dog Handler of the Year- Garry Malzone

NBHA Purina National Open Handler of the Year- Garry Malzone
This is the 11th consecutive year Garry has taken home the Purina award for Top Professional Handler of the Year through a National walking field trial organization. He also earned his 89th Championship title this season!! Congratulations Garry on achieving goals both professionally and personally! This year’s performances have surely added to my field trial nostalgia!

We would like to thank the NBHA officers, state directors, trial chairs & hosts, along with our sponsors: Purina, Garmin, Gun Dog Supply, Gun Dog Central, Mule Gear & OnX Hunt for your dedication in making the NBHA an elite organization- that certainly did ring true at this event!

Congratulations to our owners on all National awards and Championship titles! Thank you for your continued support and love for the game- we look forward to our upcoming 2022-2023 National campaign!

08/31/2022

Here’s a fun read to close out the summer season!

On April 2, 2022, the last stop on our National tour landed us in friendly Madill, Oklahoma for the NBHA Fair Play Field Trial. This is a newer club that has gained popularity since last year. They have quickly become known for their hospitality, fun atmosphere and their delicious, elaborate home cooked meals.
When we visit here, we are always among good company and friends! The course speaks to the adventurous spirit in all of us, navigating cattle and new terrain, riding and running in the sunny, windy Oklahoma prairie you can’t help but smile… and that smile only gets bigger with great dog performances!

Making it clear she wasn’t quite ready to head back to NJ, Indian Creek Courageous Cat showed us the way through the Oklahoma landscape as if to say “there’s no place like home…. just wait until after this trial!” With her head held high, she proudly claimed the blue ribbon topping off our 2022 field trial season with a “fairytail” like ending for dogs, handler and scout!

08/20/2022

Enjoy the summer rays with this hot read!

On March 25, 2022 a seasoned and strong Team Indian Creek traveled to Booneville, AR for what would be our last Championship showing for the season- The NBHA National Free for All Championship!

The details were all taken care of by NBHA President Ken Sauer and First Lady Melissa Sauer. From birds to meals to entertainment there wasn’t a stone left unturned in the preparation to make this a first class event!!

This was a two series event with 1 initial qualifying hour and a 1 hour callback. With an impressive field our 4 canine athletes showed they were determined to end the season just as strong as they started!
Indian Creek Courageous Cat flew through the course handling her multiple finds with picturesque composure, honoring her talented brace mate twice within the hour.
Indian Creek Bocephus had a methodical race and masterful display on game with 5 (what appeared to him) obvious finds in some thick cover.
Erin’s Deja Vu paved the way by pointing on the outer edges and feed lots. She searched every field showing us there’s always places to run, but no where for a bird to hide, scoring 6 finds.
Pure Confidence had a performance full of punch and pizazz. As his name suggests, he stood up high and proud on both ends for all 7 of his perfect finds, creating a memorable walking shooting dog performance, which I will say was my favorite of all this season!

The Callbacks:

1. Pure Confidence - Owners Black Meadow Kennels
2. Indian Creek Bocephus- Owner Ed Marron
3. Erin’s Deja Vu- Owner Joe Link
4. Indian Creek Courageous Cat- Owner Ed Marron

We were honored, blessed and appreciative that all 4 of our dogs not only made the callback but were the only 4 dogs invited to run in the second series- an amazing and unique opportunity and accomplishment!

As we finished the derby and puppy stakes Saturday morning, the hot and oppressive 80 degree weather for the afternoon callbacks forecasted a tall challenge for our team!

On fire, for his second performance of the weekend was Pure Confidence. Determined to hold the top spot, he went toe to toe with his previous run matching his forward exciting race of the first day. Tango proved that uncharted territory is overrated and once again swept through the course with precision and power keeping everyone’s attention with 9 statuesque bird contacts. His last was at the 59 minute mark adding a cherry on top of his performance leading him to be crowned National Free For All Champion!

Erin’s Deja Vu fancied herself into the winners circle with her classic lady-like style and bird finding ability. Garry’s showmanship with Bess raised her prior performance just enough to make her undeniably the National Free for All Runner Up Champion!

A triumphant ending to our Championship season! Congratulations to owners Black Meadow Kennels and Joseph Link!

Thank you to the judges Harold Woodward and Shawn Rowan who rode in extremely hot oppressive weather during the callbacks which caused them to break a sweat but not their concentration! Also thank you to hosts Ken and Melissa Sauer, Glenn Cumbie and the crew of the West Ark Field Trial Club. Great people make great field trials and that sure is true about this bunch!

07/02/2022

On March 24, 2022 our travels took us “back in time,” to Whetstone WMA in Williamsburg, MO for the NBHA Midwest Championship.
These grounds hosted one of the first set of NBHA events that Garry and I attended back when they held The Futurity, Jerry Kilgore Puppy Classic and National Invitational Championship.

Time flies when your having fun and that’s certainly true when we talk about running dogs that are now retired and even passed and friends and competitors that have come and gone but still have a place in our hearts.

It was nice being back on old stomping grounds to relive memories that trigger glimpses of the last blissful 60 seconds of a Championship performance that we always strive to repeat.

For me, scouting at Whetstone always posed a bit of a challenge, with its muddy fields and tough thick terrain. It always seemed that one of our dogs would slip into an abyss at the most inopportune time in his performance. Most often when I found him, he had a locust thorn stuck in his foot and Garry and our old friend Larry Carpenter would run down the road to the country store for epsom salt to “fix” the problem.

After fondly looking back on our early days, we set out with focus and determination to only repeat the desirable parts of of our history.
Leading our pack was Indian Creek Courageous Cat with her trademark on point sense of style that the judges couldn’t deny!
Erin’s Deja Vu laid out a forward driving performance gliding over the muddy fields and attacking the bird cover with her precision and power!
Both dogs topped off their performances with gorgeous covey finds- adding to our repertoire of “blissful endings!”

Whetstone was a place that was so prominent in the early days of Garry and I traveling the NBHA circuit, and it felt so fulfilling to make it a part of our current days!

2022 NBHA Midwest Championship Results:
Champion…Indian Creek Courageous Cat
Runner Up Champion… Erin’s Deja Vu

As the placements were called, I thought about how far we have come from where we started. The irony of the word “Courageous” being called (thanks to Cat’s talented performance) brought a smile to my face because that’s sure how I felt at that moment!

Congratulations to Cat’s owner Ed Marron and Deja Vu’s owner Joseph Link!!!

We would like to thank judges, Dan Draffen and Wayne Nierman. We would also like to thank NBHA secretary and trial chairman Tim Penn for hosting the event along with Kevin Western, Randy Zimmer, Jack Glover and the entire Missouri crew for their hospitality!

05/30/2022

Happy Memorial Day! Hoping this and future posts become part of your summer reading list. Here’s something to keep you cool during the dog days of summer ahead!

On March 10, 2022 the NBHA National circuit brought us to Booneville, Arkansas for the Eastern Regional Championship. Inconsistent weather allowed us and the dogs to experience all 4 seasons in just one weekend.
Ch Pure Confidence ran the first day under moderately windy conditions and sunny skies. He had 3 perfectly even spaced finds all with long impressive steady stands setting the bar for the Championship.
Indian Creek Courageous Cat surely lived up to her name. Arkansas’s unpredictable weather made for snowy, cold, blustery, blizzard- like conditions with extremely low visibility making it tough on dogs, handlers and judges. With the wet clumping snow collecting on everyone’s eyelashes, Garry and I quickly formed a plan of tracking Courageous Cat as to not loose her.
I found myself dashing through the snow looking for her footprints. She was found multiple times under the evergreen trees standing statuesque in frigid pools of water as the Arkansas snowfall blanketed the fields and collected on her back, mirroring her serene demeanor.
These performances left a lasting impression in the judges minds, and they reciprocated by sharing a few comments that left a lasting impression in ours including, “It was one of the best performances under the worst conditions that I have witnessed.” Followed by, “When these dogs were cut loose they ran with a purpose.”

No matter the weather, claiming their titles with the grit and determination was:

Champion- Pure Confidence
Runner Up Champion- Indian Creek Courageous Cat

Congratulations to owners Black Meadow Kennels and Edward Marron on this double win!

Thank you to judges Harold Woodward and Jeff Martin for their attentiveness in difficult weather. Thank you to trial chairman Glenn Cumbie and the entire Westark field trial club for their hard work and dedication to put on this event under both sunny and snowy skies!

04/17/2022

On March 2, 2022, our travels brought us just outside of Memphis to Dancyville, TN for the NBHA National Championship where we found ourselves “Dancing” on the big stage!
There is always a lot of anticipation for team Indian Creek upon entering this event. Naturally, there is a bit of stage fright that is provoked from the word National. However, all is eased with the good company of friends and the gracious hosts of the West Tennessee Field Trial Club.

This was a two series event with a one hour qualifier and a one hour call back to crown a National Champion. In the initial series, with a strong field of 31 dogs, both Ch Indian Creek Courageous Cat and Ch Pure Confidence strutted their stuff demonstrating they were set out to do more than just show up. Both performances securing them a spot in the callback.

Notable in both the initial series and call back performance, Pure Confidence “Tango” got his steps in in all the right places. Swinging from ten to two, choreographed by Garry, gliding through the country and line dancing the edges on a mission to find birds. Together dog and handler worked in sync telling time like it was standing still. The performance was topped off with an awe-inspired covey find, spotlighting his ability to rise to the occasion- making it a momentous win for team Indian Creek and claiming another National title for Pure Confidence and owners Black Meadow Kennels!

03/20/2022

Finishing out the month of February, Team Indian Creek made a showing for a two week back to back adventure in Berea, Kentucky. Mud, rain, freezing and sloppy conditions proved for a challenging course!
Nonetheless, stealing first in the Open Shooting Dog stake was Indian Creek Bocephus with 5 gorgeous finds!
Indian Creek Sprout showed off winning both blue ribbons in the Open Derby stakes in the Elkhorn trial and the Central Regional Championship!
Indian Creek Alibi captured Runner Up in the Central Championship with a mature performance, two super crisp clean finds, and an exciting finish dancing over the muddy course! Congratulations to owners Black Meadow Kennels on a newly crowned Champion!

03/15/2022

On February 11, 2022 the next stop on our National campaign brought us to Grovespring, MO for the NBHA National Breeder’s Invitational Championship. They say “the third time is a charm,” and that’s proven true for the hosting of this event. Two years in a row the NBHA was scheduled to hold an Open Championship on these exciting grounds, only for them have to cancel due to the unpredictable Missouri weather and treacherous road conditions getting in and out. This left us to only ever be graced with the presence of hearing about these sacred grounds in descriptive detail. Many listing the groomed edges, open fields, abundant feed lots, with dogs having finds just beyond the cemetery, some pros even teased us by commenting it was their favorite place to run. After hearing about it in all its wonder and it being just ever so slightly out of reach- both Garry and I placed it on our bucket list!

So we were thrilled that finally this year we had the opportunity to run on these grounds and run we did!
Emerging as Champion in a field of 35 dogs was our National Champion Erin’s Deja Vu! She was broke away from the back of the course having 3 evenly spaced finds. The first just before Sycamore bottom, swapping ends and causing judges and gallery to gasp almost as quickly as she spun to point!
Staking his claim on the Runner Up title was National Ch Indian Creek Bocephus who broke away at the front of the course, showing that he was just as excited as we were about running here with an extreme, powerful forward race gliding on the edges of the field and outlining his turf.
Both performances showcased the ask of a bird dog and demands of the course.
Congratulations to Deja Vu's owner Joe Link and Bo's owner Ed Marron on their National titles!
Thank you to the judges Jeremy Gulick and Jay Lewis for their undivided attention and professionalism. As always, thank you to trial chairman, Jim Ogle, the entire Ogle family and the Missouri crew who work so hard to make this a first class event and for their persistence on holding this event on these grounds. We are grateful we had the opportunity to compete here and put a check mark on our bucket list!

02/18/2022

On January 28, 2022 we made our first stop on our 2022 National Campaign at the NBHA Southern Regional Championship hosted by AG Preserve in Glenwood, Georgia. Emerging as Champion was 2021 Open Shooting Dog of the Year Pure Confidence for proud owners Black Meadow Kennels!!! We would like to thank the judges George Hickox and Debbie Ozner for their undivided attention. We would also like to thank AG Preserve and the entire Gunby family for the use of their beautiful grounds and their gracious hospitality!!

12/16/2021

Complete your holiday cheer with an English Pointer or English Setter puppy available now from our team of 2021 National- Award winning bird dogs!!! Wishing you a warm and fuzzy holiday season!

11/24/2021

We have a few select started British Labradors, German Shorthaired Pointers, English Pointers, and English Setters-Available now! All sired by our Indian Creek Team of Champions! We will be showing them in action here on our shooting preserve! For further information or to schedule an appointment please call or text Garry at 2013706960.

11/01/2021

On October 28th 2021, Hope for Heroes partnered with Purple Heart Adventures to put on an upland bird hunt for our service members. Indian Creek Shooting Preserve was honored to host this event and be a part of such a wonderful cause! Thank you to Mitch of Hope for Heroes, John and Tom of Purple Heart Adventures, our guides Peter and Jason and to all who donated their time to make this event a success!

10/02/2021

"FALL" in love with our British Labrador puppies sired by our International FTCH Camgart Tommo! We have a few puppies available ready to go to their new homes October 9th!

09/11/2021

Mitch Serlin, founder of Hope for Heroes, visited Indian Creek Kennels to pick out his International FTCh Camgart Tommo puppies! Last year, Mitch took home a Tommo puppy named "Monte." We would like to share this inspiring excerpt from Navy Veteran Lawrence Smira now owner of Monte. Thank you to all of our service members and their families as well as Hope for Heroes for inviting our puppies to help out our much-deserving Veterans!

Headline: Monte, A Veteran’s Best Friend
Sub-head: Giving Hope to Lawrence Smira
Everyone knows a dog is a man’s best friend, but a service dog is so much more. And for Lawrence Smira, Monte is his canine companion and daily source of emotional support.
The Navy Veteran survived two tours of duty in Afghanistan with no serious physical injuries, except for lingering emotional distress. The stress of being constantly on guard of stepping on an IED or being shot at – takes a toll and wears on a person.
This is where Monte comes in – to be there for Lawrence.
“It’s life-changing. I feel a sense of security now,” Lawrence says. “There were certain places I wouldn’t go. With Monte, I feel more confident to go to those places. Doors have truly opened up and I now do things I wasn’t comfortable doing before.”
Monte can sense when Lawrence gets anxious and will lick his face to let him know that everything will be okay. The yellow Lab can sense a room for stressful situations and lead Lawrence to a safer space. He picks up on Lawrence’s cues and lowers his anxiety level.
Once at a busy Home Depot, a pallet was dropped, and Lawrence went down for cover – Monte calmed him down. “Monte encourages me to focus on him and tells me ‘We don’t need to be here,’” says Lawrence, who aspires to be a lawyer and is currently studying political science and pre-law at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Monte is there when Lawrence has nightmares. He’s there when Lawrence has migraines – blocking the door so it can’t be opened.
Lawrence received Monte as a gift from Hope for Heroes. Mitch Serlin, the organization’s founder, trained Monte for five months. Lawrence then spent two weeks with Mitch learning how to interact with Monte.
Training dogs is a natural progression of how Hope for Heroes helps veterans and first responders. “I know what it [having a dog] did for me when I was in the New York City police force. My dog was with me 24/7 and she just completed the circle for me and helped me when I was stressed,” says Mitch.
It’s extra special that Monte was gifted to Hope for Heroes and named after Drill Sergeant Jose Montano for his dedication and devotion to helping the donor’s son with special needs.