WHEN ROGER, an Iraq War veteran, celebrated at the edge of a horse show ring this summer — phone in hand, music playing, wearing a big grin — Marty and Jennifer Barr could hardly believe their eyes. Just a month earlier, he had barely made eye contact. Years of silent struggle with post-traumatic stress had left him withdrawn and isolated. However, on that day, with Claire, a 13-month-old German Shepherd standing beside him, Roger had transformed into a stronger, more confident version of himself.
The moment was especially meaningful for Marty and Jennifer, founders of The Phoenix Charity. For years, professional photographers had captured the beauty of horse shows across the South. When the pandemic forced one of those shows to close, the couple saw an opportunity to create something that would change people’s lives.
“Out of the ashes of an old horse show rose The Phoenix Charity,” Jennifer said.
“We wanted to keep helping people, and veterans were always on our hearts. Marty’s a veteran, my family’s full of them — it just made sense.”
The organization’s mission is to provide fully trained service dogs to U.S. veterans and first responders at no cost. No one on their team earns a salary. The charity is funded entirely by an annual horse show and donations. One trained service dog is worth $30,000.
Marty, a military veteran himself, has spent more than 30 years navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That experience — and his frustration with how countless veterans have fallen through the cracks — fuels his mission.
“Our government won’t help, so I will,” Marty expressed.
Through The Phoenix Charity, he channels his innate talent of working with dogs into life-changing partnerships with Veterans. The charity’s four-legged heroes — Belgian Malinois, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, and border collies — come from kennels like psychiatric service dog kennels, or PSD kennels, in Mississippi.
“Training begins at 8 weeks and focuses on much more than obedience. Service dogs learn to navigate crowds, handle noise, and even sense their handler’s heart rate changes before the person does. These dogs are trained to transfer calm and make broken moments whole,” Marty explained.
“When the veteran can’t handle a situation, the dog can. They’re the steady ones.”
The transformations that unfold through The Phoenix Charity are nothing short of miraculous. Sandy, a Vietnam War veteran, finally sleeps better at night — thanks to Phoenix, his 8-month-old German shepherd that gently wakes him when the 40-year-old recurring nightmare haunts him from time to time. Morgan, a nurse living with multiple sclerosis, found newfound independence through Khan, a 100-pound Belgian Malinois who helps her with balance, applying makeup, and getting up when she falls.
When asked how the dogs are matched with the veterans, Marty said, “God is pretty good at picking out veterans. I’m pretty good at picking out dogs.” Marty dedicates nearly all his time to training, while Jennifer supports their home and manages administrative needs.
“A lot of praying keeps us going,” Jennifer said. “Running the charity has been the most challenging and beautiful thing we’ve ever done.”
“We’ve had people just walk up and hand us checks,” Marty said with a soft chuckle. “The right people will hear about it. God will provide.” Every dollar funds food, training, and veterinary care for dogs that provide unconditional love and a bridge back to connection. “They don’t judge,” he added. “They never have a bad day.”
Jennifer has seen the truth firsthand while watching Marty with his own service dog, Doc. “Doc does something for him that no human could,” she said.
The charity runs entirely on faith and community generosity. Their annual horse show funds most of the work, but volunteers are always needed for kennel cleaning, dog walking, and “spa days.” Donations go directly toward dog care, training, and placement.
More than anything, Marty and Jennifer hope for awareness.
“Listen to veterans,” Marty urged. “Stop telling them what they need to do. Just listen.”
As for the name, Phoenix, it couldn’t be more fitting. Out of the ashes of loss and neglect, new life rises.
To Marty and Jennifer, dogs are more than companions. “They don’t judge. They just show up,” Marty said. “These dogs are supernaturally talented. They’re gifts.”
“That’s the kind of love veterans deserve. That’s the kind of love Christ calls us to give.” GN
You can help by volunteering at a “spa day” to walk or bathe the dogs, praying for veterans, dogs, and trainers, and supporting financially at thephoenixcharity.org
