AKC Humane Fund ACE Award Winner – Exemplary Companion Dog: Winston

AKC Humane Fund ACE Award Winner – Exemplary Companion Dog: Winston

Interview with the Handler: Jeff Wells

1. Winston was discovered living in a ditch in the aftermath of the Great Texas Freeze of 2021. With a backstory such as this, what does the term “rescue” mean to you?

Jeff Wells: To me, the word “rescue” simply means giving these sweet animals a chance at life. Whatever happened to Winston before we found him has clearly left deep scars, but through love, all can be overcome. I would encourage EVERYONE out there to never just keep driving… you never know when your life will be changed forever by giving one of these guys a chance.

2. Can you describe the physical and mental impact caused by his circumstances and how did they reflect your own life at the time?

Jeff Wells: Winston and I are both deeply flawed characters. He was clearly abused and mistreated during his time on the street, and with me having served in combat, both of us sort of had pieces of our souls torn apart. But that said, just like a battle buddy in the military, two flawed characters can come together and form a perfect team… that’s what I believe we are. A strong team is always greater than the sum of its parts. I mean, Winston has been through all that he’s faced… abuse, starvation, wondering how he was going survive to see the next day. And many times, in combat, I wondered if I would survive the next mission. Fast forward to today, when we go to the start line at the National Agility Championships or some other “important” competition, the pressure just doesn’t quite measure up to what we’ve faced in the past, and I think that gives us a huge advantage. We put our heads together. I smile, he smiles, and off we go.

3. How did you discover the sport of Agility and when did you decide to compete in AKC events?

Jeff Wells: I saw AKC Agility on ESPN one day, and at that point Winston was recovering from his time on the street. I could see he was extremely athletic and had a lot of energy, and before we knew it we had jumped in head first. At first, we called some training places and nobody called us back, so we more or less just trained ourselves. Once we finally went to our first competition, we met Catherine Laria (owner of K9 Country Club & Training Academy in San Antonio) who probably thought we were a little crazy (she wasn’t wrong :)), but she believed in us, and well, she’s still training us today.

4. Have you connected with other veterans who compete with their dogs in the sport?

Jeff Wells: Yes, Winston and I started a division of K9 Service with a Twist (Catherine’s 501c3) called “Winston’s Warriors” and we cover the cost for Veterans in South/Central Texas who desire to learn Agility. We either train them with their current dog or, if they don’t have a dog, we pair them with a rescue. Costs are covered for training and two years of competition (entry fees, etc.) as part of the program. I’m very proud that Winston’s story and legacy have made a true difference in the lives of other Veterans.

5. Are there ways in which competition has been beneficial as a way of healing from the past and becoming stronger for the future?

Jeff Wells: Oh, absolutely. As a military Veteran, competition is a HUGE part of your DNA. When you leave the military, a piece of you can sort of fade away. Competing alongside Winston not only fills that void and keeps that first burning, it’s also so satisfying because it’s the ultimate team event. Winston truly is my battle buddy, and that is something I haven’t had since I left the military.