Dan Regester is a third generation Air Force Vet. His deployment time was the Kosovo war where he flew on C-135s doing air refuelings. Originally “looking for adventure”, Dan had a childhood of the Air Force, visiting the air bases with his Dad, a Vietnam Vet, many times. And because many of his Dad’s friends were military, Dan was immersed in the mindset of the military person and that was the main attraction for Dan. Dan’s Grandfather was in the Army Air Corps during World War II before the branch was renamed Air Force. So Dan joined right out of high school, and in fact spent his 18th birthday in basic. He went to 22 different countries during his four years of deployments, starting in Turkey. The international exposure taught him that when you are in uniform, you are an ambassador for your country and everything you do reflects on the US. So he has taken that awareness into working with Vets and dogs, because the Vet and his/her dog are representatives as well. Dan’s transition to civilian life was unfortunately similar to many Vets. He hated the VA, hated society, hated the military and wanted to just be in isolation. He realized that Vets needed some time after separation to reset and acclimatize and to replace the sense of camaraderie they had in the military and caused much of the depression and loss after leaving. But camaraderie comes with discipline and work to build it, and that’s where the idea of matching Vet and dog – or occasionally cat – and going through a two-week training period together to build that camaraderie that was missing. Each dog is checked out to meet each individual Vet’s needs. The program is very military like in its structure, and that also helps the Vet feel more comfortable with the familiarity. And as our host, Cyntia Kao says, it’s too bad you can’t see these gorgeous dogs on this podcast. They are spectacular.

Veteran Founder Podcast with your hosts Josh Carter and Cynthia Kao

We record the Veteran Founder Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music: Artist: Tipsy Track: Kadonka Album: Buzzz Courtesy of Ipecac Records

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

#104 A Vet is a Dog's Best Friend - Dan Regester, K-9 Kalvalry

Veteran Founder Podcast