On a beautiful day in Florida, Rocket and Orbit, a pair of joyful pups, are out for a stroll. Just the touch of their harnesses sends them into a frenzy of excitement—they’re thrilled to be with their human, Kelsey Smith. For Kelsey, these walks are more than just a routine; they are part of a life driven by her love for animals and her dedication to making a difference.“I have been a foster for a couple of years now. I’ve got my own two rescues,” she says, radiating the warmth of someone who truly loves her role as a caregiver. But Kelsey’s passion for paws extends beyond just fostering. She is on a mission to continue her work with canines, and her recent academic journey is a key part of that mission. “What I’m really most interested in is trying to work with a foundation that provides service dogs to veterans,” Kelsey explains. As a military spouse and caregiver, she deeply understands the unique needs of veterans and the incredible impact service dogs can have on their lives.
Her desire to combine her love for rescue dogs with her commitment to veterans led her to search for scholarships, which is how she discovered Hope For The Warriors. “It was something that caught my eye pretty quickly when I was going through a list of different organizations,” Kelsey recalls. “Just the work that [HOPE] does with veterans, not only just the scholarship but the additional support that’s offered by HOPE was something that I found extremely attractive.”
Kelsey was overwhelmed with emotion when she learned she was one of the Jerry Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund recipients. “I was absolutely stunned—blown away that I would be receiving this award every semester for the rest of my schooling. It was such a relief, to be honest. When I found out, I was ecstatic.”
Her husband, Corey, was equally thrilled, though not entirely surprised. “It was just the way that he looked at me and said, ‘Well, yeah, I knew you were going to get it.’ It was very sweet the way he responded, but he was very happy for me.”
Currently, Kelsey is enrolled in a two-year accelerated program for graphic design. “This has been something that I have wanted for so many years,” she shares. “Throughout my husband’s service, and then him getting out and dealing with his medical and other treatments, and then him recovering and going and getting his own education, it’s been something that I haven’t been able to achieve until now.”
With her fur family by her side and the support of
Hope For The Warriors, Kelsey is taking steps toward her future, one project at a time. The scholarship funding has been a significant help, but Kelsey emphasizes that it’s the additional support from HOPE that has made all the difference.
“That has absolutely been exactly what HOPE has felt like—just the all-around support. You know, reaching out, making sure that I have everything that I need even outside of the scholarship. Honestly, it feels like even outside of things that HOPE offers on paper, there’s just so much support. It’s been such an amazing opportunity to work with HOPE.”
With her husband, her beloved dogs, and the unwavering support of Hope For The Warriors, Kelsey is moving forward, confident and inspired. She is not just furthering her education—she is pursuing her passion with the determination to make a lasting impact on the lives of veterans and rescue dogs alike.
Since the program’s inception, Hope For The Warriors has granted 249 Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships totaling $641,607.
To receive an application to apply for the spring 2025 semester, visit hopeforthewarriors.org and connect to services.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors, visit hopeforthewarriors.org, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube or LinkedIn.
