Ben & Jerry’s Northeast Florida celebrated National Rescue Dog Day by presenting a $20,000 donation to K9s For Warriors during a community event that honored veterans, rescue dogs, and the legacy of late veteran advocate and Ben & Jerry’s owner Steve Chubbuck.
The event took place May 20 at the Ben & Jerry’s Ponte Vedra/Nocatee location, where community members, veterans, service dogs and supporters gathered to recognize the success of the company’s “Scoops & Service: A Sweet Mission for Veterans and Dogs” fundraising campaign. The campaign raised enough money to help sponsor a veteran and service dog pairing through K9s For Warriors.
Representatives from Ben & Jerry’s locations in Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Daytona and Melbourne joined members of K9s For Warriors to celebrate the milestone and highlight the powerful connection between rescue dogs and veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma.
Founded in Ponte Vedra in 2011, K9s For Warriors built its mission around rescuing shelter dogs and training them to become service animals for military veterans struggling with invisible wounds of war. The organization paired veterans with specially trained dogs that helped interrupt anxiety, provide emotional stability and restore confidence in daily life. Over the years, K9s For Warriors grew into one of the nation’s largest providers of service dogs for veterans and continued placing dogs with former service members across the country at no cost to the veteran.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees met veterans and service dogs while learning more about how K9s For Warriors transformed lives through its nationally recognized programs. The Ponte Vedra-based nonprofit rescued many of its service dogs from shelters before training them to support veterans in need, giving both veterans and dogs a second chance.
Organizers dedicated the fundraiser to the memory of Steve Chubbuck, a veteran and former co-owner of the Northeast Florida Ben & Jerry’s franchise locations. Chubbuck spent years supporting veterans causes and promoting animal rescue efforts throughout the community. His family and colleagues said he strongly believed in the healing bond between dogs and veterans. Current ownership of the Northeast Florida Ben & Jerry’s locations continued to honor Chubbuck’s legacy by supporting causes he cared deeply about, including veteran mental health and rescue dog advocacy. Organizers said the fundraiser reflected his lifelong commitment to service, compassion and community involvement.
The event also highlighted National Rescue Dog Day, which encouraged pet adoption and celebrated the positive impact rescue animals made in people’s lives. Community members brought their dogs to the event, where Ben & Jerry’s offered two free scoops with sprinkles for guests accompanied by pets. The shop also served special dog-friendly desserts for pups attending the celebration.
Attendees interacted directly with service dogs and members of the K9s For Warriors team while hearing stories about how the organization changed the lives of veterans across the country. Organizers used the event to raise awareness about the emotional support and stability service dogs provided to former military members struggling with invisible wounds of war.
Throughout the event, supporters emphasized the importance of local partnerships in helping nonprofit organizations continue their missions. Organizers credited community involvement and fundraising campaigns like “Scoops & Service” with helping K9s For Warriors expand its reach and continue pairing veterans with trained service animals.
The event also brought attention to the growing role local businesses played in supporting veteran-focused initiatives across Northeast Florida. By partnering with K9s For Warriors, Ben & Jerry’s Northeast Florida created an opportunity for the community to come together around a shared cause while honoring rescue dogs and the veterans they served.
For many attendees, the afternoon represented more than a fundraiser. The event celebrated compassion, healing and the lasting impact rescue dogs continued to make in the lives of veterans and their families.
