The transition from military service to civilian life isn’t always easy. For many veterans returning home to Albuquerque, the challenge isn’t just about finding a job or adjusting to a new routine; it’s about rediscovering purpose, rebuilding confidence, and finding a path forward when invisible wounds make every day feel like a battle.
But here in Albuquerque, a remarkable network of community programs is helping our veterans write their next chapter, one opportunity and one four-legged companion at a time.
Albuquerque nonprofits connect heroes with careers. This past spring, American Legion Carlisle Bennett Post 13 hosted its 10th annual Heroes Hiring Heroes event, and the results speak volumes about what’s possible when a community rallies around those who served. Sixty-seven veterans walked through the doors at the post on Legion Road, and they found themselves face-to-face with 63 employers and a dozen community resource organizations—all there specifically to help them find meaningful work.
The event, a partnership among the American Legion, New Mexico Workforce Connection, and Workforce Connection of Central New Mexico, extends beyond simply distributing job applications. It’s about matching veterans’ unique skills and experiences with employers who value what they bring to the table. Many of these veterans have leadership experience, technical training, and a work ethic that can’t be taught in any classroom.
The challenge has always been translating military experience into civilian opportunities, and Heroes Hiring Heroes creates that crucial bridge. What makes this program special is that it’s open to everyone—veterans and non-veterans alike—recognizing that when we lift our veteran community, we strengthen the entire workforce. Past National Vice Commander Paul Espinoza noted that the event also signed up 15 new American Legion members, creating lasting connections that extend well beyond employment.
For some veterans, the path to healing requires more than a career change. Healing through the human-animal bond and finding a best friend. Post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma can leave veterans feeling isolated, struggling with symptoms that make even simple daily activities feel overwhelming. That’s where Paws and Stripes steps in with a program that’s changing—and saving—lives.
Founded in 2010 by Lindsey Kay after witnessing the transformative impact a therapy dog had on a family member dealing with PTSD and TBI, this Albuquerque-based nonprofit pairs veterans with rescue dogs from local shelters and trains them together to become service dog teams. The beauty of this program is that it saves two lives at once—giving shelter dogs a second chance while providing veterans with a constant companion trained to recognize their specific triggers and symptoms.
The program isn’t easy. It’s a rigorous nine- to twelve-month curriculum requiring at least 15 hours per week of classwork, community service, homework, and mental health counseling. However, graduates report remarkable results—reduced medication needs, decreased alcohol consumption, improved sleep, fewer nightmares, and, most importantly, the confidence to re-engage with their family and community. Many return to school or work and report spending quality time with their families again.
Veterans never pay a penny for the program. Everything—from the rescue dog to the professional training to the mental health support—is funded through donations and grants. Paws and Stripes also offers a shorter six-week companion animal program for veterans who don’t require a full-service dog but would still benefit from a trained companion, along with individual therapy options.
How can you help? Both of these programs depend on community support to continue their mission. The American Legion welcomes volunteers to assist with events such as Heroes Hiring Heroes and other veteran support initiatives. You can connect with Post 13 at 1201 Legion Road NE or reach out through the American Legion Department of New Mexico.
Paws and Stripes is seeking volunteers for various roles that support their training programs and operations. Operating Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 6 PM, with frequent weekend events and fundraisers, they welcome anyone interested in donating their time and skills. You can fill out a volunteer application on their website at pawsandstripes.org or call them at 505-999-1201. Even if you can’t volunteer, financial donations directly fund the life-changing work of training service dog teams at no cost to veterans.
The reality is sobering—roughly 20 veterans die by suicide every day in America. The Albuquerque community cares, offering programs like Heroes Hiring Heroes and Paws and Stripes, which represent a source of hope. They demonstrate that when a community comes together to support those who have sacrificed our freedom, real healing occurs. Veterans find not just jobs and service dogs, but renewed purpose, restored independence, and the sense that their service continues to matter.
These aren’t just feel-good stories; they’re lifelines. And they only exist because people in our community choose to get involved, whether through volunteering, donating, hiring veterans, or simply spreading the word about these programs.
Albuquerque is a city that honors those who serve, with neighborhoods full of neighbors who care.
Are you looking for a community that values and supports veterans? Whether you’re a veteran looking to put down roots or want to live where community matters, the Sandi Pressley Team can help you find your perfect home in this remarkable city.
Contact the Sandi Pressley Team:
Phone: (505) 263 – 2173
Website: https://www.sandisells.com/
Let’s work together to support our veterans and build a stronger Albuquerque—one home, one life, one purpose at a time.
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