Weigel’s joined Smoky Mountain Service Dogs to honor Chief Shawn during a recent Passing of the Leash Ceremony, recognizing the veteran’s 20-plus year of service in the United States Coast Guard.
The Passing of the Leash Ceremony is a “formal placement of a specially trained service dog with a veteran or first responder. During the ceremony, the leash is symbolically passed from the puppy raisers and trainers to the recipient, signifying trust, partnership and the beginning of a working bond.”
“Chief Shawn served over 24 years on active duty, building a career defined by leadership, technical expertise and a steadfast commitment to protecting others,” Weigel’s said. “As Chief Shawn begins this next chapter with his service dog, Weigel’s expresses its gratitude for his lifelong dedication to protecting others and its appreciation to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs for the life-changing work they provide to veterans and first responders in our community.”
Based in East Tennessee, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization that trains and provides mobility and psychiatric service dogs to veterans and first responders living with service-related disabilities.
Weigel’s said its participation reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to honoring those who serve and supporting organizations that provide long-term assistance after active duty ends.
In November 2025, the retailer made a $40,000 donation to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, “continuing its annual commitment to support local charities that make a lasting difference in East Tennessee,” Weigel’s said.
In 2021, NACS Ideas 2 Go visited Weigel’s to learn more about how the retailer supports Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. See more about how Weigel’s is changing lives in this NACS Ideas 2 Go video.