Quarterly Issue 4 - December 2023

In November, Liberty Dogs welcomed Canine Manager Stephen "Steve" LaVallee (pronounced la-valley) to the team. Steve’s role is to develop and design the guidelines and protocols for multiple programs at Liberty Dogs, such as:



1.    The Liberty Dogs Apprentice Program – Developing the next generation of Service Dog professionals.

2.    The Liberty Dogs Puppy Raising Program - Providing novice and experienced individuals and families the guidance on how to prepare a puppy or young dog through the basics before the dog begins advanced Service Dog training. 

3.    The Liberty Dogs Prison Program - Allows inmates, like community puppy raisers, to work with the puppies until the approximate age of 14 months while providing basic training that will prepare the young dogs for their next training stage to become Liberty Service Dogs.

The Early Years – Very few people know at a young age what they want to be when they grow up. Usually, children aspire to become doctors, astronauts, or first responders for fires and emergencies. At the very young age of 5, Steve vividly remembers telling himself, “When I grow up, I am going to be a dog trainer and handler!” He had a positive encounter with a couple community police officers who had working police dogs and, even as a little boy, he knew that was the job for him.

Destiny Realized - At 17, Steve joined the US Marine Corps with the strong intention of entering the Military Working Dog Handler Program. Steve’s first duty station was in Okinawa, Japan at Camp Kisner and during his first day on base, he told his Commanding Officer that he wanted to join the Canine Unit. He quickly learned that he needed to be part of the Military Police (MP) unit to have a chance at being a part of the MP dog handler training program. Because it was a popular and very competitive unit, he didn’t get the position at first, but after 6 months, Steve entered the program and began working with his first dog, Delany, a floppy-eared Collie-German Shepard mix who turned out to be a very smart and successful police dog.

At that time, Military Dogs had the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS refers to the job type in the military) as Patrol Dogs and all were trained as such. After Patrol Dog training, dogs were selected to additionally become either a Narcotics Detection Dog, which teaches scratching at the detection spot, or an Explosive Detection Dog, which teaches sitting at the detection spot so as to not disturb the identified explosive. Military dogs were never trained for both narcotics and explosive detection work due to the difference between how to detect. Steve loved his job in the military and because he was determined, stayed on course, and did the work needed to be selected for the Canine Unit, his childhood dream was realized.

Steve with dog "Cay" competing in Hawaii at an all island Military Canine Competition. Steve and Cay won this competition in 1985.

Private Sector Service Dog Training - In 1992, after 12 years in the Marine Corps, Steve left the military and began looking for private sector dog training schools. There were only a handful of Service Dog Training Schools in existence and only 10 Seeing Eye Dog Training Schools around the nation. From 1992 through 1996, Steve worked with Pilot Dogs in Ohio and while at a conference, Steve was introduced to the world of Service Dogs for the visually impaired. He moved his family to New Jersey and worked until 2002 for The Seeing Eye, the Guide Dog Foundation, and America’s Vet Dogs Training Schools.

In 2000, Steve and a Guide Dog-in-training were crossing an intersection when a bus driver was distracted and hit him and the Service Dog. Steve’s hip was broken. The painful experience and 3-month hospital stay allowed Steve to give first-hand advice to Visually Impaired people in Service Dog training that they must always listen to the many clues, especially when crossing busy intersections. When asked what happened to his Service Dog during the incident, Steve shared the dog suffered a broken toe. The universal response was always, “Aww!” Steve still laughs today about the reaction to the dog’s broken toe versus his broken hip. More importantly to him, it meant that people love and deeply respect Service Dogs. For Steve, that will always be a public relations “win!”

Industry Experience - In 2002, Steve began a successful dog training business in the private sector working with a multitude of dogs with behavioral problems. Years of working with hundreds of dogs, dog owners, and training organizations has given him broad experience making his knowledge key to effective Service Dog program development.

“There are many different ways to train dogs,” shares Steve. “Some trainers tend to be too rigid in how they train. The true trick is to pay attention to the dog. With a patient and experienced Dog Handler, trust can be developed and with trust, even a dog with some insecurities can rise to greatness as an effective and competent Service Dog.”

In April 2023, Steve enjoyed another momentous achievement when he and his 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, Mako, competed in the demanding sport of IGP at the Schutzhund (IGP) World Championship in Romania. He and Mako placed 50 out of 100 of the world’s best Schutzhund-trained dogs. For a first time American to place in the world’s top 50 is phenomenal!

Steve with his Belgian Malinois, Mako, after competing in the FMBB World Championship in Romania and placing 50 out of the top 100 Schutzhund Belgian Malinois' in the world. (April 2023)

Steve has five adult children, four sons and a daughter, and next Spring he is marrying his fiancé, Cherié.

Steve's vast experience, talent, and skill will help the development of numerous future Liberty Dogs' Programs. After all these years, what does Steve say about this new Liberty Dogs opportunity? He laughs and exclaims, “I would do this job for free; I love it that much!”

We hope you enjoy our Photo Gallery where we have displayed photos of our progress on campus construction, additional career photos from new Canine Manager Steve LaVallee, and event photos from throughout 2023.

This Liberty Dogs schematic shows the 27-acre property and location of its 8 buildings. Below are current photos of four of the eight buildings as of December 2023.

Main Kennel

Main Kennel - The Main Kennel is well underway with walls up and the roof soon to be installed. This building will house 96 indoor/outdoor dog runs for dogs to reside during professional training and advancement until being matched with their Veteran. Additionallly, this building will have 8 large training rooms, 4 simulation rooms (which mirror real world living spaces), and multiple dog care/grooming rooms. (December 2023)

Facility Warehouse

Facility Warehouse - With most of the exterior siding installed, the Facility Warehouse will be home to our Maintenance and Security Teams who will provide the support to keep our state-of-the-art campus operating and beautiful. The Warehouse will also receive all packages and supplies for the campus in order to reduce traffic within the Liberty Dogs campus and to promote a safe and stress-free environment for Veterans, dogs, and staff. (December 2023)

Veterinary Clinic

Veterinary Clinic - The masonry exterior walls are going up! The Veterinary Clinic will house the world class medical care for our Service-Dogs-in-Training. Beyond the routine and preventative medicine, we will also utilize this space to expose our young dogs to enrichment that will better prepare them for their future service work. From here, young dogs will be placed with Volunteer Puppy Raisers who will work with closely with Liberty Dog staff to expose the young dogs to many experiences in the real world. When the dogs return after approximately 14 months of age, each dog will pass the strict medical requirements prior to moving to the Main Kennel for advance training and ultimately being placed with their Veteran. (December 2023)

Veteran Central

Veteran Central - Framing of the walls are installed! Veteran Central is all about making sure Veterans have a comfortable and world class experience during their stay while being placed with a Liberty Service Dog. The Veteran Central building includes 20 gorgeous residential suites, a workout facility, spectacular gathering spaces to facilitate comradery, kitchen and dining rooms, and a large multipurpose room to host graduations, presentations, and resource fairs. (December 2023)

Steve LaVallee - Additional Photos

Steve & his Belgian Malinois, Nitro, competing throughout the US in Schutzhund competitions.

Steve and his fiancé, Cherié, in Romania during the FMBB World Championship where Steve and his dog, Mako, placed in the top 50 Schutzhund dogs in the world. Steve and Cherié plan to marry in the Spring of 2024. (April 2023)

Steve with 4 of his 5 children and the family dog, Paris the Puggle.

Steve has 4 boys and 1 daughter. He is very proud of all his children who live throughout the East Coast and in Hawaii.

Veterans & Military Day at the Legislature

VAMDAL - Held bi-annually at the Nevada State Legislature in Carson City, NV, the Liberty Dogs team spoke with hundreds of Veterans from every corner of the State of Nevada. This forum is a great opportunity for Veterans to speak with their state representatives to discuss important Veteran policies. (March 2023)

Nevada Military Support Alliance Gala

NMSA Gala - Liberty Dogs CEO Kyle Cory-Yaeggi shown with Perry Di Loreto, President of The Di Loreto Companies. Cory-Yaeggi was honored to present the program that will provide Liberty Service Dogs to Veterans with disabilities. (March 2023)

Liberty Dogs Goes To NASCAR

NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 Race in Bristol, Tennessee - K9Grass by ForeverLawn, a partner of Liberty Dogs, sponsored the NASCAR Chevy Camaro Team #45 and its driver, Jeffrey Lynn Earnhardt, grandson of legacy NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Liberty Dogs is shown on the car above the driver-side rear window. (September 2023)

NGAUS National Conference

NGAUS National Conference - The Liberty Dogs Team was invited to present to the National Guard Association of the United States 2023 Conference. It was an honor to present this exciting project to The Adjutant Generals (TAGs) from all across the country. (September 2023)

Liberty Dogs Campus Veteran Sign Tribute

Liberty Dogs Campus Veterans Sign - Along with Di Loreto Companies, Liberty Dogs, a program of the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation, unveiled a special sign during Veterans Day weekend that pays tribute to the over 20 military Veterans who are contributing to this special project.

(November 2023)

US Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Reno

SECVA Visit - The Honorable US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough visited Reno, Nevada. Liberty Dogs CEO Kyle Cory-Yaeggi had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Secretary McDonough and local VA leadership about the exciting new Liberty Dogs project that will serve Veterans with disabilities by providing them with Liberty Service Dogs. (December 2023)