Heartland Canines for Veterans

28/12/2025

Free puppy attention and lovins today! Anyone want to come pet some puppies?
The goal is to get the puppies comfortable around all walks of life....short, tall, big, small, mustaches, beards, glasses, men, women, we want them happy and engaged! 😁

24/12/2025

Merry Christmas from Heartland Canines, our board and team members!

23/12/2025

Caddie made it! She will be out at the farm for a while. Thank you to A Dog’s Dream for watching her while we got everything in place.
Dog number 2 is here! 😁

22/12/2025

🎶🎶🎶T--R--O--U--B--L--E🎶🎶🎶
Just looking at her, that's all I thought! But then, she started to get comfortable...and lovey, and curious and excited. All the neighbors came for the introductions and the only dog she had some hesitation with...Riley! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Un-vested Riley is an absolute hurricane, crazy-eyed, tougued out inferno of Golden craziness!
So happy to have her here though, she's going to love it. ♥️

22/12/2025

Whew. ***kicks feet up for a minute***
Proud to say we finished the inside kennels in the Royden Building (find the post on the Royden Building) today. Friday we finished the runs and earlier last week, I finished the training area. Fully functional to receive the three dogs this week...
I'd like to thank Paul and Jody Loftis for all the help (you've all met Paul, his service dog is MJ). Thank you to Pinnacle Pet for getting the runs out here and thank you to the folks that helped out with some of the stuff we needed, drywall, insulation, trash cans...it was a very successful call to Action!
The dogs we have coming out, are going to be busy!
Caddie, the black lab has been camping at A Dog’s Dream and we are so thankful they hung on to her while we were finishing this.
Tomorrow we are getting a German Shepard that I will be training (sponsored by Elks Lodge Kimberling City ). And she is Bellas little sister!
And lastly, we will be bringing in Tex, a golden retriever from Griffin Kennels, LLC who is sponsored by VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO and the Webb City Elks Lodge #861 .
After the new year, we will have a lot of opportunities for people to come out and visit the kennels and hang out with the dogs in training. We still have a LOT to do out here and plenty of help needed!

21/12/2025

Prayer warriors- one of our team members, Nova, is extremely sick and needs emergency surgery (currentlyin surgery as I write this). Please say a kind word for her, her Veteran, and their family as they navigate the tough road ahead!
Webb City Elks Lodge #861 Jeremy Rosencranz

20/12/2025

We received an update from Bella and Vern in Montana. If you didnt know, Bella and Vern Marchington were sponsored by Petland USA a couple of years ago. We are so thankful for your group and the loving hearts that helped provide the pairing of a team that NEED each other.
They are living that "good life"!
Merry Christmas Bella (and Vern), keep up the good work!

16/12/2025

We love it when two great organizations get together to improve the lives of people and our four-legged counterparts! Heart explosion! If you haven't yet, please head to A Dog’s Dream and give them a like and a follow!

A HUGE thank you to Petland Charities for their generous contribution to support our nonprofit! 💚

This support allows us to continue our mission in helping retired breeding dogs complete the circle by retraining, rehoming, and preparing them for their forever homes. Because of this kindness, we're able to provide medical care, training, socialization, and a fresh start for every dog that walks in our facility.

We couldn't do this work without partners like you! ✨

09/12/2025

Friends, colleagues, and wonderful supporters of Heartland Canines for Veterans —

Just a quick update on our progress as we continue growing and enhancing our service dog training operation.

Many of you know that Misty Burgess and I recently found our “forever home” in the country north of Joplin.
We’re now in the process of moving Heartland’s service dog training operation to this property — a huge step toward serving more Veterans in the years ahead.
I want to take a moment to acknowledge the man who made all of this possible. His name was Royden. After returning from France in WWI, he built the home we now live in. Years later, he constructed the shop building that we are transforming into our office and all-weather service dog lodging facility.
As a tribute to him, we have named this structure “The Royden Building.”
My incredible wife Misty conceived and made the picture you see in this post — a tribute to Royden, whose land and legacy continue to grow new purpose today.
Because of his work long ago, we now have the foundation to expand our kennels, train more service dogs, and create a retreat space for Veterans to heal, rest, and recover. I’ll share more about that project soon.
I never met Royden personally, but everything I’ve learned paints a picture of a humble man of faith — one who helped others quietly, without seeking recognition. His generosity is still at work, and because of him, Veterans will be helped for many years to come.

If you reply to this post, I respectfully ask that you include the words “Thank you, Royden.”

Jimmy Burgess
Executive Director

Pinnacle Pet VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO Webb City Elks Lodge #861 American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO Petland Joplin A Dog’s Dream American Legion Post 322 VFW Post 7630 Bingo Information