Anchorage couple’s son’s memory drives new service dog nonprofit

Tonya and Scott Shea have launched a nonprofit called We Walk the Line to raise funds for Blue Star Service Dogs. The organization was created in memory of their son, Connor Shea, an Army Specialist who died by suicide at age 21.

Connor Shea served two years at the National Training Center in the Mojave Desert. Tonya Shea described her son as a quiet individual who found peace fishing alone or with friends while listening to Johnny Cash. She noted that the isolation and lockdowns during his service took a heavy toll on him. Shortly after the family spent the holidays together, Connor died.

Scott Shea said the time following his son’s death felt like a fog. Months later, the family’s bulldog inspired the creation of their nonprofit. Tonya Shea recalled how the dog would curl up next to them and place its head in her lap, offering a sense of comfort and stability. This interaction led the family to focus on the role of service dogs in supporting those with invisible wounds.

Blue Star Service Dogs is based in Michigan and provides trained dogs to veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. Executive Director Trish Barnes stated that many of their clients have tried medication and therapy without success. The dogs are trained to watch their handler’s back, block personal space invasions, and retrieve dropped items. This training allows recipients to manage daily tasks like grocery shopping and attending family events independently.

Blue Star adopts shelter dogs and trains them in prison settings before pairing them with recipients. One trainee, Glenn Dennard, served more than 17 years in prison for second-degree murder. He now teaches dogs skills such as deep pressure therapy and waking handlers from night terrors. Another recipient, Marine veteran Laszlo Szalay, said his service dog gave him a reason to get up in the morning after a head injury triggered a mental health crisis.

The Shea family has sponsored several dogs through We Walk the Line. Scott Shea said the goal is to prevent other families from experiencing the same loss. He believes Connor would be proud of the work they are doing to support those who have served.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that an average of 22 veterans die by suicide every day. Hundreds of first responders also die by suicide annually. The Sheas aim to use their organization to address these statistics by funding the specific needs of veterans and first responders in crisis.