For Therese Aguilar training and boarding dogs is a labor of love. Working with dogs is something she has always had a passion to do, and eight years ago she turned that passion into a reality when she became a certified dog trainer.

"I have always worked with dogs in some way, shape or form," Aguilar said. "I finally decided it was something I should do professionally, so I got certified."

Aguilar operates K9 Heeler, a dog training and boarding facility, on four acres of land at 30109 Elm Lane in Magnolia. She has been training and boarding dogs for the better part of eight years and has been at the Magnolia property for three years.

"I started by boarding dogs at my home," she said. "But boarding 17 dogs got to be too many, and I needed new property."

K9 Heeler is also a family endeavor for Aguilar. She runs the business with her sister Cathy Reagan, who lives on site and works as the business manager. The facility has the ability to board more than 30 dogs at any given time.

Dog training services are also offered at K9 Heeler, and the property has its own private dog park used for training and socialization activities. Aguilar offers private training with owners and dogs, and she uses strictly positive reinforcement training, she said.

In addition to having individual clients who use her to board and train dogs, Aguilar also has a partnership with many local shelters and rescues where she will perform behavioral and socialization training to rescue dogs.

Aguilar's work with dogs extends beyond just boarding and training. Through a nonprofit program based in San Antonio called Train a Dog - Save a Warrior, Aguilar trains service dogs for soldiers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Soldiers suffering from the disease go through an extensive application process through the nonprofit and are then matched with a trainer. Aguilar is currently the only TADSAW trainer in the Houston area, she said. She works with 18 soldiers and their service dogs.

"Working with these warriors, I did not think training dogs would bring me another level of joy," she said. "It has been a very humbling experience to work with these warriors."

The service dog is more than just a companion to these soldiers. Many of these soldiers struggle with anxiety, stress, nightmares, flashbacks and suicidal thoughts, she said. Once they are paired with a service dog, it helps them deal with their PTSD, she said.

Duane Perez, a former marine and veteran of the Persian Gulf War, is a testament to how a service dog can help a soldier. Perez was referred to Aguilar through TADSAW and she paired him with Brenin, a Rhodesian ridgeback.

Perez struggled after his time in the military. He exhausted medication and physical and mental therapy options. But none helped him like Brenin does, he said.

"Having a service dog liberates me from being trapped," he said. "[Brenin] is teaching me patience and understanding and to have compassion for my fellow man."

Working with the soldiers and service dogs is more than just training a dog, Aguilar said. Her work goes beyond being a dog trainer and extends to being a mentor, friend and someone to talk to.

"I think to some of these guys, I have become more than just a dog trainer," she said. "I hesitate to say I have become a counselor to them, but I think I am seen as someone who will listen to them."

Train a Dog–Save a Warrior

• TADSAW Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in San Antonio. Its mission is to provide for the training of a service dog for any wounded warrior, active duty or veteran, who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
• Soldiers are paired with service dogs to help restore and improve their quality of life.
• Soldiers are typically united with homeless, rescue shelter dogs that have been evaluated and trained. Family pets can be used if they meet certain requirements.
• TADSAW is funded through both private donations and available grants. The cost to sponsor one TADSAW team is about $2,500, covering training, veterinary care, food and equipment.

K9 Heeler

30109 Elm Lane, Magnolia 281-259-8382

www.k9heeler.com, Hours: Mon.–Fri. 7:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.