Horschel Family Foundation Welcomes Service Dog in training Nola at THE PLAYERS Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Mar. 12, 2025) – Eight-time PGA Tour winner and Ponte Vedra resident Billy Horschel is once again teaming up with K9s For Warriors to sponsor the training of a Service Dog to save a Veteran’s life. Through this ongoing partnership, Horschel and the Horschel Family Foundation will help K9s For Warriors raise awareness of Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. On average, 20 Veterans a day take their own lives. K9s For Warriors is determined to end Veteran suicide by providing highly trained Service Dogs at no financial cost to the Warrior.
At THE PLAYERS Championship Military Appreciation Day, Horschel announced his commitment to supporting another Veteran in need. He invited Nola, the newly sponsored Service Dog in training, to join him on the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course during his practice round. Nola’s name is sentimental to Horschel; a nod to the city of New Orleans, where Horschel claimed his first tournament victory. Check out Horschel and Nola in action on the course here!
“I am honored to help make a difference in the life of a Veteran in need. The military means a lot to me, and I am doing my part to support our nation’s heroes,” said Billy Horschel. “The Horschel Family Foundation is looking forward to Nola’s journey in healing a future Warrior.”
Today, Horschel also surprised Air Force Veteran Joey and his rescued Service Dog, Roscoe, at THE PLAYERS Championship. The Horschel Family Foundation sponsored Roscoe’s Service Dog training in 2024, and the pair graduated from K9s For Warriors in November. Joey and Roscoe have been paired for nearly five months, and their bond is getting stronger every day. Joey believes Roscoe was meant to end up with him, since Roscoe is from a shelter, where he was at risk of being put down if not adopted. Watch the heartwarming moment Horschel surprises Joey here.
“To think that this dog could have been euthanized, with everything he has to offer… his love and companionship… it would have been such a waste of life. This is the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. I got the best friend I could get,” Joey said. “I’d like to give a very special thank you to the Horschel Family Foundation for supporting Veterans and giving me this opportunity.”
“K9s For Warriors is incredibly grateful for Billy Horschel and the Horschel Family Foundation for the continued support of our mission to end Veteran suicide,” said Lindsay Grayson, Chief Revenue Officer at K9s For Warriors. “We can’t wait to see Nola change a Veteran’s life. Horschel Family Foundation’s generosity allows us to save even more lives at both ends of the leash.”
Horschel and his foundation were recently recognized for their work with various organizations, including K9s For Warriors. The Golf Writers Association of America named Horschel the winner of the 2025 Charlie Bartlett Award for his “unselfish contributions for the betterment of society.” He and his wife, Brittany, also earned the Deane Beman Award for their service to the local area through golf.
At K9s For Warriors, a majority of the dogs are rescues, meaning K9s saves two lives – a dog and a Veteran. Since 2011, K9s For Warriors has graduated more than 1,000 Warriors and rescued more than 2,000 dogs.
About K9s For Warriors
Determined to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With most dogs being rescues, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. This treatment method is backed by scientific research (from University of Arizona’s OHAIRE Lab) demonstrating Service Dogs’ ability to help mitigate their Veteran’s symptoms of PTSD while simultaneously restoring their confidence and independence. Founded in 2011 as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, K9s For Warriors remains committed to bringing widespread awareness to Veterans’ mental health and contributing to policy-level reform.
The organization’s operation facilities include: K9s For Warriors National Headquarters (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) Davis Family Mega Kennel (Ponte Vedra, Fla.) Petco Love K9 Center (San Antonio, Texas) and Warrior Ranch (outside San Antionio, Texas).
Find more information at www.k9sforwarriors.org | Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)
About Horschel Family Foundation
The mission of the Horschel Family Foundation is to passionately invest in communities by partnering with organizations that inspire hope, provide healing, promote health and honor our soldiers. We believe that changing one life alters the footprint left on our earth forever and hope to help steer the world towards a more healthy, positive, and loving place for future generations to come.
Find more information at www.horschelfamilyfoundation.org
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Media Contact:
Carly Kramer, K9s For Warriors
