The Working Lead

Hope Lives Here
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What happens when the mission doesn't end after military service? On The Working Lead Podcast, we share authentic conversations with Veterans, service dog handlers, trainers, and community leaders whose lives have been transformed through purpose, resilience, and the incredible bond between humans and service dogs. Hosted by Veterans and featuring real, unscripted conversations, each episode explores military service, life after the uniform, PTSD, recovery, personal growth, and the life-changing impact of professionally trained service dogs. Whether you're a Veteran, first responder, service dog enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys powerful stories of perseverance, you'll find honest conversations that educate, inspire, and remind us that no one has to walk their journey alone. New episodes feature Veteran success stories, service dog education, behind-the-scenes looks at Hope Lives Here, and conversations with people making a difference in their communities. Subscribe and join us as we continue Healing Heroes Two at a Time.

Episodes

  1. Sep 9

    Episode 2 - James M.

    In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, we sit down with James McGavoc and his Service Dog, Stanley, to talk about their journey through Hope Lives Here and the changes that came along the way. James and Stanley are both 2025 graduates of Hope Lives Here, but James says the program taught him much more than how to work with a Service Dog. It taught him a lot about himself — something he describes as one of the most important parts of his experience. James shares how he first came to consider getting a Service Dog after a recommendation from his primary care provider and counselor. He talks about going through the application process, meeting Stanley, and the importance of having time to build their relationship before formal training began. One of the biggest turning points came during a training outing when Stanley began alerting James to his anxiety. Brooke recognized what was happening before James did and told him to breathe. That moment helped James begin recognizing patterns he hadn't previously noticed and showed him that Stanley was doing exactly what he had been trained to do. James talks openly about learning to trust — trusting Stanley, trusting the people at Hope Lives Here, and eventually learning to trust himself enough to take action when something wasn't right. He explains how Stanley can recognize the early signs of anxiety and help bring him back to a calmer place through contact and deep pressure therapy. The conversation also explores isolation, confidence, and what it means to start reconnecting with the world. James talks about going into public places, interacting with children, speaking to groups, and slowly becoming more comfortable around people again. James shares an important lesson he learned through the program: it's okay not to be okay. What matters is continuing to move in a positive direction and being willing to do the work. He also talks about the unique relationship between a Veteran and their Service Dog, the trust that develops through training, and why he believes the bond between the two is one of the most important parts of the Hope Lives Here program. Even after graduation, James has chosen to stay involved with Hope Lives Here. He talks about giving back, continuing to learn, helping other Veterans, and why being involved has become an important part of his life. This is a conversation about trust, growth, isolation, confidence, anxiety, Service Dogs, and finding your way back into life — one step at a time. Welcome to The Working Lead Podcast.

  2. Sep 9

    Episode 3

    In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, we sit down with Carl, one of the trainers at Hope Lives Here, to hear his story and learn more about what happens behind the scenes at the organization. Carl talks about his time in the Army, his overseas deployment, his medical retirement, and the unexpected path that eventually brought him to Hope Lives Here. After leaving the mortuary business, Carl originally came to Hope Lives Here to help sell gala sponsorships and tickets. What was supposed to be a short-term job quickly became something much more. Carl shares what made him keep coming back — seeing the transformation in the Veterans going through the program. He describes watching Veterans who initially seemed closed off and uncomfortable slowly begin talking, joking, connecting, and getting some of their life back. For Carl, seeing that transformation firsthand changed the way he looked at the work and made him realize this was where he wanted to be. The conversation also takes a closer look at the Hope Lives Here program, including how Veterans enter the program, the meet-and-greet process, temperament testing, dog selection, and the differences between Veterans who bring their own dogs and those who are paired with a shelter dog. Carl explains how training is tailored to each Veteran and their individual challenges, and why the relationship between the Veteran and Service Dog is about much more than simply teaching a dog commands. He also talks about his own experience as a Veteran in the program and how far he has come personally. From once being uncomfortable sitting in front of a camera to now having a conversation about his experiences, Carl reflects on the importance of continuing to challenge yourself and stepping outside of your comfort zone. The episode also explores what it takes to be a good trainer, the lessons Carl learned from Brooke, the importance of watching and learning, and the responsibility that comes with working alongside Veterans and their Service Dogs. Carl discusses what happens after graduation, why graduates remain part of the Hope Lives Here family, and how seeing successful graduates return can give current Veterans something powerful — the ability to see that change is possible. Looking toward the future, Carl talks about his hopes for Hope Lives Here, the importance of growing the organization so more Veterans can be helped, and why his personal legacy matters less to him than making sure the mission continues. This is a conversation about military service, finding purpose, personal growth, Service Dogs, Veterans, and the work happening every day at Hope Lives Here. Welcome to The Working Lead Podcast.

  3. Sep 9

    Episode 4- Founder & President

    In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, we sit down with Brooke Melton, the founder of Hope Lives Here, to hear the story behind the organization and the journey that brought her to where she is today. Brooke grew up in Canyon, Texas, played basketball at West Texas A&M, and spent 15 years as an elementary school teacher. But years before Hope Lives Here existed, Brooke found herself on a very different path — one that began with her own experience with post-traumatic stress and a dog named Harley. Brooke shares the story of how Harley came into her life, how their relationship changed her, and how what started with one rescue dog eventually became the foundation for Hope Lives Here. She talks about following what she believes was God's plan, learning how to train dogs, researching Service Dog programs, and discovering that there was a need for a program specifically focused on Veterans in this area. She also explains why Hope Lives Here chose to work with rescue and shelter dogs. Harley was a rescue, and Brooke believes those dogs deserve the opportunity to have an important purpose while giving Veterans an opportunity to build a new partnership and way forward. Throughout the conversation, Brooke talks openly about the realities of running a nonprofit, leaving her teaching career, learning through experience, working with Veterans, training Service Dogs, and the incredible things she has witnessed these teams accomplish. The conversation also turns personal as Brooke talks about James E. Miller, one of the Veterans who became a close friend and an important part of Hope Lives Here. She shares what James meant to her, the impact of losing him, and why his legacy continues through the James E. Miller Memorial Award presented each year at the Hope for Our Heroes Gala. Brooke also looks toward the future of Hope Lives Here — her hopes for serving more Veterans, growing the organization, building a stronger team, and continuing to make a difference without losing sight of what brought the organization here in the first place. And perhaps most importantly, Brooke shares a message for anyone who may be struggling: you may feel alone, but you are not. There are people, resources, and organizations willing to help. This is a conversation about faith, purpose, Service Dogs, Veterans, loss, hope, and the story behind Hope Lives Here. Welcome to The Working Lead Podcast.

  4. Sep 9

    Episode 5- Carol Orr

    In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, we sit down with Carol, the mother of James E. Miller and a member of the Hope Lives Here family. Carol shares the story of James — or Jimmy, as she called him — from growing up in Amarillo to joining the Army and becoming a tanker. She talks about what it was like watching her son deploy to Iraq during Thunder Run and the unique experience of following the war through embedded news coverage, never knowing what the next report might bring. She also shares the stories and memories that have stayed with her over the years: the friendships James built with the men he served alongside, the stories she heard from his fellow soldiers, and the pride she felt learning that he had been a good soldier and a good man. The conversation takes a deeper turn as Carol talks about losing James and the difficult emotions that followed. She shares how she came to understand that some things were simply beyond her control, and how she continues to carry his memory forward. Carol also talks about what Hope Lives Here means to her and her family, why she became involved with the organization, and why helping even one Veteran matters to her. She reflects on the changes she has witnessed in Veterans throughout the program and what it means to see people move from isolation toward living their lives again. At the heart of the conversation is James's legacy. Carol talks about the James E. Miller Memorial Award and why keeping James's name and story alive matters. She shares the values she worked to instill in her son — integrity, service, respect for the flag, and love of country — and recalls a powerful story of James protecting a family's American flag during a grass fire. Most importantly, Carol shares what she would say to Jimmy if he could hear her today. This is a deeply personal conversation about motherhood, military service, loss, forgiveness, legacy, and the importance of remembering the people who came before us. Welcome to The Working Lead Podcast.

  5. Sep 9

    Episode 6

    In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, we sit down with Augustine and his Service Dog, Harley, to hear the story of how they found each other and how Hope Lives Here became part of Augustine’s journey. Augustine served 20 years in the Army, followed by another 20 years working at the Clements Unit. After retiring, memories and experiences from his military service began coming back, and he found himself struggling to regain the sense of purpose and direction he once had. His path to Hope Lives Here started when he saw James Miller sharing his own story on television. Augustine recognized someone he knew from his time at the prison and decided to reach out. That decision eventually led him to the program and to Harley. Throughout the conversation, Augustine talks openly about his transition from military and corrections work into civilian life, the challenges of reconnecting with family, and the difficulty of feeling like himself again. He also shares how Harley has become more than a Service Dog — from alerting him to changes in his blood sugar to becoming a constant source of companionship and connection. Augustine also reflects on his relationship with James Miller, the impact James had on his life, and what it meant to lose someone he considered a brother. He explains why continuing to talk about James matters and why remembering the people we've lost is so important. Most importantly, Augustine shares what Hope Lives Here has meant to him. He talks about finding trust, purpose, connection, and a way forward — and why he chose to continue giving back to the organization after graduating from the program. This is a conversation about service, friendship, loss, purpose, and the powerful relationship between a Veteran and their Service Dog. Welcome to The Working Lead Podcast.

  6. Sep 9

    Episode 8/ Mini Ep. 2

    In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, we sit down with Montea and Kona to talk about their journey as a Veteran and Service Dog team. Montea shares what it’s been like building a relationship with Kona, from his constant need to stay close to her to the ways he is already learning to recognize when she needs support. James also shares his own experiences with Stanlee and how the connection between a Veteran and their Service Dog can become an important part of everyday life. The conversation gets into the reality of learning to work as a team, recognizing what our Service Dogs are communicating, and the role that deep pressure therapy can play in helping bring things back down when life starts to feel overwhelming. This episode is about more than training. It’s about trust, connection, growth, and the relationship that develops between a Veteran and their Service Dog along the way. Welcome to The Working Lead Podcast.

  7. Aug 3

    Episode 7

    What happens when the right service dog comes into your life? In this episode of The Working Lead Podcast, Marine Veteran Matt Dara shares his journey from military service to nonprofit leadership and how being paired with his service dog, Max, changed his life in ways he never expected. Matt opens up about his transition after the Marines, receiving a PTSD diagnosis, finding Hope Lives Here, and the incredible bond he shares with Max. He also discusses the work of the Panhandle Orphan Care Network, the importance of giving back, and how one Veteran's healing can positively impact an entire family and community. Whether you're a Veteran, service dog handler, or simply someone who enjoys authentic stories of resilience and purpose, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. In this episode you'll hear about: Matt's service in the United States Marine CorpsTransitioning to civilian lifeReceiving a PTSD diagnosisFinding Hope Lives HereMeeting and training with MaxHow service dogs recognize stress and anxietyThe impact service dogs have on Veterans and their familiesThe mission of the Panhandle Orphan Care NetworkIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share to help us continue sharing Veteran stories and educating others about the life-changing impact of service dogs. Learn more about Hope Lives Here: https://www.hlhtexas.org Follow Hope Lives Here Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HLHTexas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hlhtexas #Veterans #ServiceDogs #HopeLivesHere #PTSD #MarineCorps #Military #VeteranStories #TheWorkingLeadPodcast #Nonprofit #DogTraining

  • 7 Episodes

About

What happens when the mission doesn't end after military service? On The Working Lead Podcast, we share authentic conversations with Veterans, service dog handlers, trainers, and community leaders whose lives have been transformed through purpose, resilience, and the incredible bond between humans and service dogs. Hosted by Veterans and featuring real, unscripted conversations, each episode explores military service, life after the uniform, PTSD, recovery, personal growth, and the life-changing impact of professionally trained service dogs. Whether you're a Veteran, first responder, service dog enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys powerful stories of perseverance, you'll find honest conversations that educate, inspire, and remind us that no one has to walk their journey alone. New episodes feature Veteran success stories, service dog education, behind-the-scenes looks at Hope Lives Here, and conversations with people making a difference in their communities. Subscribe and join us as we continue Healing Heroes Two at a Time.

Information

  • Creator
    Hope Lives Here
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hope Lives Here
  • Show Website
    The Working Lead