101725 NavySEAL K9 AmySaville 002 — ** Frank Thiele and Phil Ryan with Ghost, Roxy and Bullet PHOTO BY AMY SAVILLE

The Wheels & Keels Foundation recently hosted Cocktails and K9s at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. Its Trident House Charities Program is one of the longstanding beneficiaries of the annual Wheels & Keels Antique & Exotic Car & Boat Show, held each spring at the Moorings Yacht and Country Club.

The Trident House Charities Program, the charitable arm of the museum, supports active-duty and veteran Special Operations Forces personnel and their families through four main initiatives: the Trident House respite home, scholarships, the K9 Project, and direct family support for unexpected needs.

Guests enjoyed an evening on the grounds of the museum that featured cocktails and a performance by the Vero Beach Choral Society, before the Navy SEAL Museum K9 Dog Team gave an impressive demonstration.

They also learned about the museum’s K9 Project, a Trident House Charities initiative, which matches Special Operations active-duty personnel and veterans with service dogs. Retired Chief Warrant Officer Kevin “Yoda” Whitenect, the museum’s operations officer and K9 Project director, introduced a trio of K9s who are currently in service.

Ghost is a service dog that is aiding veteran Frank Thiele with PTSD and balance issues, Bullet serves as a protection and explosive detection asset, and the newest addition, Roxy, is being imprinted as a combat assault dog.

Whitenect highlighted the extraordinary bond between warrior and dog, noting that the project is foundational to discipline, control and accountability.

The philosophy of the K9 Project is not about creating “cuddle dogs,” he explained, but is rather a program of work and labor. It serves as a “re-sharpening program” to help warriors take “full responsibility for their emotions, their actions, and how they behave.”

As a demonstration of their training, the dogs were placed atop cans, an exercise that induces low-level stress. Whitenect explained that the handler, too, must maintain self-control and calmness so the dog doesn’t react, thereby reinforcing the foundation of discipline, control, and accountability.

Afterward, attendees headed inside for dinner and a tour of the museum.

Sam Gagliano, W&K board president, shared that this past year’s fundraising had enabled them to continue the goal of their nonprofit to improve the lives of children and adults on the Treasure Coast by providing nearly $175,000 in grants to a dozen local charities.

After providing a brief history of the museum, Rick Kaiser, Navy SEAL Museum CEO, thanked members of the Wheels & Keels Foundation for their support and spoke of the vital role the museum fills in preserving the legacy, history and heritage of the SEALs, from the first “Frogmen” of World War II to all those who have served ever since.

Kaiser also announced that he would be stepping down on Nov. 7 and would turn the reins over to Vice Adm. Tim Szymanski, USN (Ret.).

The Navy SEAL Museum will host its 40th annual Muster on Nov. 7-8. The Wheels & Keels Foundation Dinner Auction and Antique & Exotic Car & Boat Show will be held the weekend of April 17-18.

For more information, visit NavySealMuseum.org or WKVero.com.

Photos by Amy Saville