Welcome
Building on Compassion, Love, Understanding, Integrity and Acceptance!
Helping you and your furry partner take care of each other!
meet our team!
Debbie Kalmus - Founder and President
Adolfo Aguilar - Co-Founder and CEO/Lead Trainer
Adolfo Aguilar - Co-Founder and CEO/Lead Trainer
I grew up with a love of animals, especially dogs! My grandmother raised everything from German Shepherds to canaries. My protector, growing up, was a Silver and Black Saddle Shepherd, named Lady, who was the Granddaughter to Rin Tin Tin. Mom Mom, as I called her, taught me a love and respect for all animals, but her dogs were extra spe
I grew up with a love of animals, especially dogs! My grandmother raised everything from German Shepherds to canaries. My protector, growing up, was a Silver and Black Saddle Shepherd, named Lady, who was the Granddaughter to Rin Tin Tin. Mom Mom, as I called her, taught me a love and respect for all animals, but her dogs were extra special to her. They have always had a special place in my heart because their love is pure and unconditional.
My husband, a retired Lieutenant with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and native New Yorker, also had a love for animals but never owned a dog till we were married. Now, in our 33 years, we have had numerous dogs, ferrets, birds and even snakes in our menagerie, but it’s our dogs that have become a part of our family.
Upon retiring from the department after 37 years, we both began volunteering at Big Dog Ranch Rescue and got involved with their Veteran Service Dog Program. We began by “dog walking”, but quickly became involved in the training aspect of the program. Big Dog was training rescue dogs to become Service Dogs for Veterans in need, and at no cost to the Veteran. We began to learn how to teach our new protégé’s basic obedience and participated in many outings where we helped the dogs learn how to help their perspective partner to be able to function in the local grocery and/or department stores. We were educated of the plight of our Veterans with PTSD and how difficult it was for them just to go pick up groceries and participate in the day-to-day activities Dave and I take for granted. We witnessed how the Service Dogs, that we were able to help train, were able to aid Veterans to return to a normal life. Big Dog Ranch Rescue is where we adopted our Service Dog, Cielo, who now is a loyal companion to my husband.
After leaving the Big Dog Ranch, we became involved in launching Semper Fi Service Dogs. Carrying on the same mission from Big Dog Ranch, both my husband and I continued to help with the Service Dogs in Training and have always believed our Veterans deserve everything we can do to assist them, so what better way to help both our passions….help a deserving shelter dog find a purpose and a good home and a Veteran regain his or hers independence! With the support of some great friends, 2gether Furever, Inc. was born. We have the goal of expanding our program to include First Responders, like my husband, who have seen tragedies on their own battlefield. If it’s a Service Dog, an Emotional Support Dog or just someone to listen, 2gether Furever, Inc. is here for you.
Approved AKC CGC Evaluator
Member of Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Adolfo Aguilar - Co-Founder and CEO/Lead Trainer
Adolfo Aguilar - Co-Founder and CEO/Lead Trainer
Adolfo Aguilar - Co-Founder and CEO/Lead Trainer
Adolfo is a 10-year US Marine Veteran that brings his first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be a Veteran suffering with PTSD. His Service Dog, Henney, started out with training at Big Dog Ranch and Adolfo has continued training with her since her adoption. Their bond is so strong, that Henney knows what is happening even before Adol
Adolfo is a 10-year US Marine Veteran that brings his first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be a Veteran suffering with PTSD. His Service Dog, Henney, started out with training at Big Dog Ranch and Adolfo has continued training with her since her adoption. Their bond is so strong, that Henney knows what is happening even before Adolfo feels like anything is wrong. As the non-Veteran of the group, Adolfo's insight and guidance has been invaluable to me and to our organization. Also filling the role of our Veteran Liaison, he immediately places the Veterans who reach out to us at ease as the Veteran understands they are speaking with someone who has "been where they have been." He loves every dog he meets, and the dogs love him right back. He willingly lends his knowledge to everyone and if he doesn't know the answer, he'll find someone who does. He and Henney are what 2gether Furever stands for...caring and lending a "helping paw."
Approved AKC CGC Evaluator
Member of Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Sandra Aguilar - Vice President
Adolfo Aguilar - Co-Founder and CEO/Lead Trainer
Sandra Aguilar - Vice President
Being a Marine is not only a privilege, but also an honor. I should know, I have the privilege of knowing one. He is my loyal best friend, husband, and father. My best friend of 36 years, in those 36 years he has been my husband for 15 years. We have 3 kids and 3 fur babies. One of those fur babies being my husband’s service dog, Henney
Being a Marine is not only a privilege, but also an honor. I should know, I have the privilege of knowing one. He is my loyal best friend, husband, and father. My best friend of 36 years, in those 36 years he has been my husband for 15 years. We have 3 kids and 3 fur babies. One of those fur babies being my husband’s service dog, Henney. Henney is a 3 ½ year old German Shepherd mix and to me she is God sent. You see, what I haven’t mentioned about my husband Adolfo is that he is a 10-year US Marine Corp Veteran, and he suffers from PTSD and other injuries due to his years in the service. For the past 15 years I have been there by his side through what I like to call “moments”. I have been his caretaker when he needs help getting up or picking something up for him because he can’t bend or stretch far enough. I hold his hand tight or squeeze him in a hug to help him when he is in stressful or crowded situations or places. I’ve looked up places for getting him a service dog, which I know would benefit him, but they weren’t local. So, we were lucky to have found Henney.
The bond that Adolfo and Henney have is too hard to explain but better to be seen with your own eyes. From the first day Henney just connected with all of us, but especially with Adolfo. Adolfo and I walked into Big Dog Ranch looking to adopt a pet to add to our family. As we walked around in search of a dog, we came across Henney and noticed she was part of a Veterans’ Program that Big Dog Ranch had just started. We got more information about this program, and we already knew that Henney would be the one for Adolfo. Henney continued her basic obedience training at the Ranch. After a couple of months Adolfo and Henney became part of another program outside the ranch to continue her training. Henney has now been part of our family for 3 years and their bond is stronger than ever. Adolfo has been continuing training Henney on his own and has slowly started to train her to do task work.
Hi, my name is Sandra Aguilar, and I am not only Vice President of 2Gether Furever, but I am also a mom of 3, a mom of 3 fur babies, but most importantly I am a wife of a US Marine Corp Veteran and my goal is to try my absolute best to find and help other Veterans and First Responders with their very own fur babies. Semper Fi
Dave Kalmus - Treasurer
Kaylee Amaya - Director of Outreach and Marketing, Event Coordinator and Planner
Sandra Aguilar - Vice President
As a retired Lieutenant of 37 years with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, I have seen both tragedy and triumph. I have been fortunate to be able to have a wife that I could come home to talk to, but there are things I can never tell her about, so I carry them with me, buried deep inside. We were blessed during our time with Big D
As a retired Lieutenant of 37 years with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, I have seen both tragedy and triumph. I have been fortunate to be able to have a wife that I could come home to talk to, but there are things I can never tell her about, so I carry them with me, buried deep inside. We were blessed during our time with Big Dog Ranch Rescue to adopt Cielo, an American Bulldog we were training as a Service Dog. She is now my best friend. She is there to provide companionship and comfort when I need it. She helps keep me calm now in many situations. I don’t know what I’d do without her or any of our dogs in our lives. Service Dogs Save Lives!
Kaylee Amaya - Director of Outreach and Marketing, Event Coordinator and Planner
Kaylee Amaya - Director of Outreach and Marketing, Event Coordinator and Planner
Kaylee Amaya - Director of Outreach and Marketing, Event Coordinator and Planner
After serving in the military, returning to civilian life wasn't an easy transition. I felt as it I didn't know what to do when I returned home and felt scared. Many counseling sessions and discussions later, I have been paired with my life-save, Tenacity and I don't know where I would be without her. She has helped me overcome fears th
After serving in the military, returning to civilian life wasn't an easy transition. I felt as it I didn't know what to do when I returned home and felt scared. Many counseling sessions and discussions later, I have been paired with my life-save, Tenacity and I don't know where I would be without her. She has helped me overcome fears that I didn't think were possible to overcome and she's there when my PTSD rears it's ugly head. We still have a long ways to go, but I'm able to accomplish more than I thought I would be able to now that I have her by my side.
meet our team!
Alex Guerra - Assistant Director
Joyce Pessel-Yaskoski - Training and Education Advisor
Joyce Pessel-Yaskoski - Training and Education Advisor
When my time in the military came to an end, I was filled with many different emotions, but anger and frustration were the main ones. I wasn't the same person I was before the military and I knew I needed help. Not having anyone to turn to that understood what I went through, besides my wife who served with me, it began to take a toll o
When my time in the military came to an end, I was filled with many different emotions, but anger and frustration were the main ones. I wasn't the same person I was before the military and I knew I needed help. Not having anyone to turn to that understood what I went through, besides my wife who served with me, it began to take a toll on my relationships. After I sought help, Petey came into my life and has completely turned my life around. He knows when I'm having a bad day and comes to my rescue when I'm feeling down and out. Without a doubt, he has improved my quality of life and I will forever be grateful to have him by my side.
Joyce Pessel-Yaskoski - Training and Education Advisor
Joyce Pessel-Yaskoski - Training and Education Advisor
Joyce Pessel-Yaskoski - Training and Education Advisor
Joyce was introduced at a young age in Detroit, Michigan to nursing homes and assisted living facilities through her family's ownership, and involvement with them.
She brings to the organization more than 40 years of experience in the dog fancy in the way of: Obedience training, Therapy Dog training, Dog show confirmation, and breeding
Joyce was introduced at a young age in Detroit, Michigan to nursing homes and assisted living facilities through her family's ownership, and involvement with them.
She brings to the organization more than 40 years of experience in the dog fancy in the way of: Obedience training, Therapy Dog training, Dog show confirmation, and breeding champions, some of which have competed in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club at Madison Square Garden.
Approved AKC Evaluator
Member of Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Founder of Bonafide Therapy Dogs, Inc.
Photo Gallery
Dusty - Ready for a new adventure! He is a 3 year old German Shepherd Rescue from Texas and recently passed all three of his Canine Good Citizenship tests to become a Service/Therapy Dog in Training!
Our beautiful Henney is fully devoted to her dad. She currently serves as a Service Dog for our Director of Veteran Affairs, a Marine Corp Veteran. She loves learning and is always ready for a good belly rub.
Cielo is a Service Dog for our Treasurer, a retired Lieutenant of 37 years with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. She loves to go shopping with mom at Publix, where it's her pleasure since all her friends keep treats on hand when she comes by!
Hiya pals! My name is Tenacity, but most people call me TT. I'm a 6 year old Staffordshire Terrier mix. My purpose in life is helping my hooman Kaylee
Hey guys! Petey here! I'm a 5 year old Boxer/Pit mix and I'm full of energy! I was rescued Georgia. That's when came to Florida and met my human, Alex
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