Our Story
Why We Exist.
For years, our giving happened quietly through our companies and personal relationships — helping when we saw a need, supporting charities we trusted, stepping in when a veteran or a working animal program needed resources.
Over time, it became clear that doing it informally limited our impact.
WWAF was created to make that support official, repeatable, and scalable. We focus on combat veterans because the need is real, the stakes are high, and the right animal can change a veteran’s daily life in a way few other interventions can.We back each placement with a commitment to cover food, insurance, and medically necessary veterinary care— for the life of the dog.
First Placement
Meet Cairo. The First.
Cairo is the first service dog placed through the Warrior and Working Animals Foundation. He is a Belgian Malinois trained to support combat veterans living with PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and he will be placed with Chris Reder, Founder of DTOM 22/0.
Cairo was bred and trained in partnership with Colina Canine of Medellín, Colombia—an experienced working-dog program focused on working-line Belgian Malinois, breeding, and training.
To ensure the strongest possible handler–dog bond, Warrior funded two trips to Colombia over the past six months so Chris could spend time with Cairo, train alongside him, and build familiarity with his new partner before placement.
This placement is the first step in a broader commitment: 12 service dogs per year, matched to qualified combat veterans and supported with a responsible screening and placement process designed to set both the veteran and the dog up for long-term success. Just as important, Warrior commits to covering the dog’s care for life—including insurance, food, and medically necessary veterinary expenses—so the veteran never has to worry about affording the care their service dog needs.
Why Chris named him “Cairo”
Chris named his dog Cairo in honor of Cairo, the military working dog famously associated with the 2011 U.S. Navy SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. After the raid, the name “Cairo” became widely known, and the story was later popularized through public programs and the account of Cairo’s handler, Will Chesney, in No Ordinary Dog.
For Chris, the name is a reminder of what these dogs represent: calm under pressure, loyalty, and a steady presence when it matters most.
Founder · CEO, Summit Animal Health
Dorian Farmer
Dorian Farmer is the founder of Summit Animal Health and a co-founder of the Warrior and Working Animals Foundation. Based outside Orlando, Florida and originally from North Carolina, Dorian launched Summit Animal Health in 2018 with a single equine joint product and grew it into a nationwide animal health company with a full line of performance and wellness products.
Built through Summit’s growth was a consistent tradition of giving—supporting charitable organizations and individuals who care for working animals and the veterans who rely on them. That work became the foundation for the Warrior and Working Animals Foundation: a mission created to directly support combat veterans and the working animals that improve their lives.
A pivotal moment came through Dorian’s friendship with Chris Reder, founder of DTOM220 (a 501(c)(3) supporting veterans). After seeing how profoundly a trained companion and service dog can impact daily life for veterans managing PTSD and traumatic brain injuries, Dorian committed to expanding access to properly bred, trained, and matched service animals. In January 2026, the Foundation will deliver its first trained service dog to a veteran through this partnership, with additional placements to follow.
Dorian is a father of two amazing children and husband to Dr. Heather Farmer, he believes impact is measured by service—what you build, who you help, and the standards you set for the next generation. Through the Foundation, he and Summit Animal Health have committed to placing 12 service dogs per year with qualified combat veterans across the United States, while also supporting organizations focused on the rehoming, care, and long-term wellbeing of retired military and working canines.
Co-Founder · Veteran · DTOM 22/0
Chris Reder
Through DTOM 22/0, Chris saw firsthand how profoundly a trained companion can impact veterans managing serious injuries. That insight became the backbone of everything WWAF was built to do.
Board Member · Filmmaker · ROI Creative
Steve Scearcy
Steve Scearcy is the owner of ROI Creative, a creative services company specializing in storytelling and brand development. With more than 35 years of experience, Steve has produced hundreds of short form documentaries and multiple feature length films, working alongside Academy Award winning actors and collaborators. He is also the author of several books and has written numerous newspaper articles.
While his professional work has taken him to prominent stages including the Kennedy Center and introduced him to well known figures, Steve considers his greatest honor to be the recognition he received from his small hometown for his work and accomplishments. For him, impact has always mattered more than visibility.
Steve’s commitment to serving veterans comes from a deeply held belief that, both as a nation and as individuals, we have not lived up to the promise we owe those who risk everything on our behalf. He believes that caring for veterans, especially those who carry mental, psychological, or physical injuries, is not an act of charity but a responsibility. Providing dignity, opportunity, and continued purpose is, in his view, a moral obligation.
Although new to formal board service, Steve brings what he believes is the most essential qualification, compassion. Much of his volunteer work throughout life has centered on children, particularly those who have material needs met but lack consistent love, guidance, and meaningful human connection. These experiences have shaped his understanding of vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of being seen.
Steve is the father of three boys and believes that being a father is the best job in the world. His home is shared with three dogs and one cat, most rescues or strays, except for Mugs, a Chihuahua with a big personality who came from a federal penitentiary. In his own way, Mugs is a service dog. Trained by inmates, he helped restore moments of humanity, patience, and connection through daily interaction, offering quiet proof of the powerful bond between people and animals.
Steve is also an avid gardener and believes in the importance of basic, grounding skills such as gardening and canning. These practices reconnect people to purpose, responsibility, and care. Looking ahead, Steve sees his greatest contribution to the organization in the area of story. He believes stories have the power to restore dignity, create understanding, and change the way people see those who serve, both human and animal. Through storytelling, he hopes to help ensure that veterans and working dogs are not only supported, but truly valued.