At Honorguard Coffee, we believe in the power of second chances and the incredible bond between a veteran and a service dog. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce you to Gunner, a nine-month-old Belgian Malinois mix who has quickly become an integral part of our mission. Gunner’s journey is one of resilience, love, and a bright future as a service dog for a Marine veteran.
Gunner’s Journey to Honorguard
Gunner’s story began in May 2024 when we adopted him from the Orange County Animal Shelter. He was found wandering the streets of Santa Ana, likely struggling to survive. With food and water scarce, Gunner developed habits that reflect his past hardships—he’ll eat anything you give him, and he has a tendency to drain a water container in one sitting. Given the extreme heat and dryness of the area when he was found, it’s no wonder he still approaches water with a sense of urgency.
Despite his rough start, Gunner is a loving dog with a heart of gold. He craves affection, often leaning against your legs and melting onto the ground for some well-deserved scratches. And if you happen to be sitting down, don’t be surprised if he places his wide head on your lap, hoping for some attention.
From Chaos to Composure
When Gunner first joined us, he was a whirlwind of energy—wild, untamed, and untrained. It was clear that he hadn’t received any formal training before his adoption. However, in the few months since he’s been with us, Gunner has made incredible strides. He’s now proficient in basic obedience commands like sit, down, stay, and recall. His leash manners have improved tremendously, and we’ve even started working off-leash with him, where he shows great promise.
Gunner’s training journey has been a rewarding challenge. While he can be stubborn at times, his strong desire to please has made all the difference. He’s especially good at paying attention to his handler, a skill that will be crucial as we move into more specialized training. Recently, we’ve begun public access training—teaching Gunner how to behave appropriately in public spaces like parks and Home Depot. These outings are vital in preparing him for the specific tasks he’ll need to perform as a service dog.
Balancing Work with Play
But it’s not all work for Gunner! We make sure he gets plenty of time to just be a puppy. At nine months old, he’s full of youthful energy and enthusiasm. His absolute favorite activity is playing fetch—he would happily chase a ball all day if he could. Beyond fetch, Gunner enjoys hiking and camping, always ready for an adventure.
One of our most memorable experiences with Gunner was finding a river in Washington state where he could swim. Although hesitant at first, it didn’t take long for him to dive in and discover a new love for the water. In fact, getting him out of the river proved to be a challenge—he was having so much fun that I had to swim out and bring him back to shore! Now, whenever we’re near a lake, pond, or river, I love throwing a ball into the water for him to fetch. It’s quite the sight—Gunner barking with excitement as he swims out to retrieve his toy, letting everyone know just how badly he wants that ball.
Looking Ahead
Gunner’s future is bright, and we’re excited to see him continue to grow and develop into the service dog he was meant to be. His journey from the streets of Santa Ana to the training grounds of Honorguard Coffee is a testament to the resilience of rescue dogs and the transformative power of love, care, and purpose.
Stay tuned for more updates on Gunner’s progress as he prepares to change the life of a Marine veteran. We’re proud to have him as part of the Honorguard family and can’t wait to see the incredible impact he will have.