02/05/2025
☆☆☆☆PLEASE TAKE TIME TO READ☆☆☆It was suggested, buy some friends for me to share my story here on FB for the raising of Funds for ENOCH my future Servie Dog.
**Service K9 for Chaplain Mario C. Samaniego**
This campaign aims to raise funds for purchasing and training a Multi-Purpose Service K9, specifically for Psychiatry, mobility, and Facility Assistance in a Hospital and Law Enforcement.
**Who is Chaplain Mario Cesar Samaniego?**
Chaplain Mario is the Volunteer Chaplain for the Premont Police Department and one of two Pediatric Chaplains at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Edinburg, TX. Until recently, K9 Hondo accompanied Chaplain Mario everywhere he went. Hondo was a German Shepherd who was donated to Chaplain Mario after he was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies stemming from his service as the former Chaplain for the Texas State Troopers in the aftermath of the Uvalde active shooter incident.
Activated by the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS), Chaplain Mario witnessed this incident's devastating and life-changing events. He faced the painful task of viewing the deceased children in the hallway as he and two other chaplains administered the last rites to all the deceased children and two teachers. He also experienced violent reactions from some family members during death notifications. He received active death threats for wearing the Texas DPS logo during the chaotic post-analysis in the community. Unfortunately, Chaplain Mario was never debriefed about the Uvalde incident.
During his two weeks of service in Uvalde, Chaplain Mario worked incredibly long hours as the lead Chaplain, ranging from 15 to 18 hours daily. He coordinated with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Chaplain and Crisis K9 team to comfort law enforcement agencies, local, state, and federal entities, first responders, 911 dispatchers, EMS, and Firefighters.
When Chaplain Mario sought mental health support after a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) training in San Antonio—reaching out to the Mental Health Director of the State of Texas while he was working as a Crisis Mental Health Counselor for the SAPD—he was unexpectedly fired from his position as Chaplain as part TX DPS ESS (Employee Support Services). He received no explanation for his termination, and Chaplain Mario was left without mental health assistance.
Chaplain Mario contacted FrontLine Strong, a non-profit that helps veterans, law enforcement, and first responders with mental health issues. He received counseling and was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
In February 2021, Chaplain Mario received Hondo, a trained Service K9, as a gift. Since that time, Hondo has been by his side. Chaplain Mario viewed Hondo as a blessing from God and wanted to share him with the World. As a result, Chaplain Mario was appointed as the lead Chaplain for the Premont Police Department, and Hondo was officially sworn in as a Police K9 for Crisis Intervention.
Hondo also accompanied Chaplain Mario to his new full-time ministry as a pediatric Chaplain at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Edinburg, Texas, after completing a month-long training program in Corpus Christi, Texas. From day one at the hospital, Hondo began impacting the lives of pediatric patients, their families, and staff members who needed his comforting presence. He was particularly attuned to the triggers of the staff seeking his help.
Additionally, Hondo assisted Tesla, Driscoll Children's Facility dog, by visiting pediatric oncology patients and providing therapy, calmness, and comfort. Whether he ran the halls as patients threw the ball during "Fetching Fridays," lying still during pediatric procedures, or while patients received chemotherapy, Hondo was there to help. He also visited schools, offering empathy, compassion, and love without prejudice, serving his primary role alongside Chaplain Mario and everyone he met.
Sadly, Hondo passed away on January 13, 2025, at 8:51 AM after six rounds of life-saving measures at Mission Valley Veterinary Hospital. Hondo was loved by countless adults, children, and families, especially his "papa," Chaplain Mario. Hondo accompanied Chaplain Mario everywhere, providing support during his PTSD episodes, anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Hondo saved Chaplain Mario's life on two occasions when he was contemplating su***de.
Hondo can never be replaced, but his legacy will be honored and carried on through the next German Shepherd God provides service for Chaplain Mario. Therefore, your partnership and financial support are needed in two parts, as the purchase and training of the Service K9 are quite expensive.
**Part 1:** The purchase of a German Shepherd to be trained as a Service K9. The German Shepherd also comes with a lifetime guarantee if it cannot continue to provide the service it is trained to provide due to any genetic disease or elbow or hip dyspepsia.
**Part 2:** After acquiring the K9, the training process will be lengthy and rigorous. The K9 is to be trained in psychiatric disabilities and mobility training. This training will enable the K9 to assist Chaplain Mario going up a ramp or to brace for support during arthritic flare-ups due to my chronic condition called ankylosing spondylitis (which causes the spine to fuse, affecting the entire body and sometimes resulting in iritis/uveitis in the eyes; Chaplain Mario has recently been informed the complete sight of his left eye).
Additionally, the K9 will undergo facility training to assist in volunteer work at Driscoll Children's Hospital. This training will also enable the K9 to engage with law enforcement when needed for mental health support. The Facility K9 will provide goal-oriented interventions such as preparation and support for medical procedures, physical and occupational therapy assistance, help meeting ambulation goals, socio-emotional support, and bereavement support. Furthermore, the K9 will offer a calm presence alongside Chaplain Mario's ministry, exhibiting love, calmness, and gentleness while providing individual support to people in crisis, decreasing anxiety, and improving social skills.
With your assistance, the purchase of the K9 training will be conducted locally in two parts. Chaplain Mario, a Master K9 Trainer in the police and narcotics fields, emphasizes the importance of consistency in obedience, socialization, and continuous training. The service, mobility, and facility training will be paired with the K9 trainer who owns Mission Pawssible. Their primary focus is training service-oriented K9s who will pass the necessary certification to become certified service dogs.
The training can take 12 to 15 months, so continuous fundraising will be needed even after the K9 is acquired. Rest assured that your donations will be transparent, and you can inquire at any time about how the funds are transacted. By contributing, you will be a partner in the purchase and training of the service K9, which will positively impact the mental health of Chaplain Mario, as well as provide support to pediatric patients, their families, staff, community events, and outreach efforts at Driscoll Children's Hospital alongside law enforcement officers, schools in the Premont Police Department, and everyday life wherever Chaplain Mario and his Service K9 visit.
You are truly appreciated in reading Chaplain Mario's testimony and understanding his need for a Service K9. As he grieves the loss of K9 Hondo, we pray you will partner with us in this worthy campaign that will assist him in managing my Mental Health, as PTSD is an ongoing battle.
Blessings to You and Yours!
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Thank you.
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Maximus & Hondo are Crisis Response Canine's and provide support to the RGV to Community as a whole.
