Why Aerial Resupply Coffee Supports Service Dogs of Virginia

Written by Mike Klemmer, Founder of Aerial Resupply Coffee—veteran, dog lover, and believer that loyalty doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

Some missions never end—they just change uniforms. For me, that mission is about support, purpose, and loyalty. After 20 years in the U.S. Army, I learned that loyalty doesn’t only come from the people beside you. Sometimes it comes on four legs, with a wet nose, a wagging tail, and a heart that refuses to quit. That’s why Aerial Resupply Coffee proudly supports Service Dogs of Virginia (SDOV). Their mission—to train and place service dogs that help veterans and others with disabilities—represents everything I believe in: service, trust, and healing through companionship.

Serving Beside Working Dogs in Uniform

I’ll never forget the first time I deployed with a working dog team. Our K-9s were more than tools—they were teammates. I saw them do things that defied instinct. I saw them sprint into danger because their handler needed them to. I saw them detect IEDs that would have otherwise changed lives forever. These weren’t just dogs—they were Soldiers in fur, heroes with hearts beating in sync with ours.

Military working dogs were a constant reminder of what loyalty and purpose really look like. No politics. No hesitation. Just complete, unwavering trust. And for the handlers, that bond ran deep. They would risk their lives to protect their dogs—and the dogs would do the same. That’s something you don’t just see—you feel it. It’s burned into your memory forever.

So when I came home and started building Aerial Resupply Coffee, I knew I wanted the company to support something that reflected that same loyalty. It didn’t take long to find it—just down the road in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Meeting Service Dogs of Virginia

Service Dogs of Virginia is a nonprofit based right here in Charlottesville. They train and place service dogs for veterans, first responders, and civilians with disabilities—everything from PTSD to autism to mobility challenges. Their dogs don’t just provide comfort—they save lives. They interrupt panic attacks, wake veterans from night terrors, retrieve items during medical episodes, and create emotional stability for people who have fought internal wars long after coming home.

I remember visiting their facility for the first time. The air smelled of fur, training treats, and that warm, steady energy that only a dog can bring. The trainers moved quietly, reinforcing commands, encouraging consistency. Every dog there had a purpose—and every veteran who walked through those doors had a story. You could see the transformation happening in real time: confidence returning, posture straightening, laughter breaking through the weight of silence.

When I learned that SDOV had already placed dozens of dogs with Virginia veterans, I knew ARC needed to be part of their mission. Supporting them isn’t charity—it’s alignment. It’s continuing a mission of service, just in a different theater.

Why Service Dogs Are So Critical for Veterans

For many veterans, the battle doesn’t end when we take off the uniform. It just changes shape. According to VA research, over 30% of post-9/11 veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For those who served in high-stress environments, hypervigilance, nightmares, and anxiety become a kind of background noise you can’t shut off. The world keeps spinning, but your nervous system doesn’t get the memo.

Service dogs help bridge that gap between constant alert and calm reality. They’re trained to recognize distress before it peaks—to interrupt anxiety, create physical space, and remind veterans that they’re safe. A National Institutes of Health study found that veterans partnered with service dogs experienced lower symptoms of PTSD, reduced medication use, and improved social interactions compared to those receiving standard care alone. Those aren’t small numbers. Those are lives improved—and in some cases, saved.

That’s why Aerial Resupply Coffee donates a portion of proceeds from every bag sold to organizations like SDOV. Because just like good logistics keeps missions running, these dogs keep people standing. They give veterans structure, companionship, and unconditional love—something that even the strongest among us sometimes forget how to receive.

From the Roastery to the Kennel: Our Role in the Mission

When I founded ARC, I wanted every bag of coffee to represent something bigger than caffeine. Coffee is a ritual—a moment of calm before the storm. It’s also a bridge, connecting people across distance, culture, and time. For veterans, that ritual often becomes grounding—a daily mission that brings back structure and control.

That’s why we built a partnership that makes sense. We roast in small batches at 705 Dale Ave, Unit E, Charlottesville, VA, and a portion of our profits helps SDOV continue its training programs. We also sponsor awareness events, coffee fundraisers, and volunteer hours with local trainers. Whether it’s through donations or boots-on-ground support, ARC is all in.

Our community of supporters plays a huge role in this too. Every bag of Firewatch, Lifeline, or 15W40 you buy fuels more than your day—it fuels purpose. It helps a veteran find balance again. It helps a dog find their forever mission.

The Power of Loyalty: What Dogs Teach Us About Healing

I’ll be honest—when I first came home from active duty, I didn’t realize how much I missed the presence of those working dogs. Their steadiness. Their awareness. Their ability to exist fully in the moment, without judgment. Over time, I found that same sense of loyalty again—but this time, in civilian life, through my own dogs and through the mission of SDOV.

There’s something profoundly healing about a dog’s presence. They don’t need you to explain yourself. They don’t ask about your deployment or your stress—they just stay by your side. And that’s enough to start healing. When I watch SDOV dogs work, I see echoes of the partners I once knew overseas: calm focus, unspoken trust, shared mission.

That’s what makes our support so personal. It’s not about marketing. It’s about honoring those relationships and extending their impact to veterans who need it most.

Building a Future of Support, One Cup at a Time

We don’t just want to be known as a coffee company—we want to be known as a community company. Every time someone chooses Aerial Resupply Coffee, they’re choosing to be part of that community. We’ll keep roasting, keep supporting, and keep telling these stories until every veteran who needs help has a loyal companion by their side.

If you want to help, it’s simple:

• Buy your coffee from companies that give back. (We’ll always be one of them.)
• Visit Service Dogs of Virginia to learn about donating, volunteering, or sponsoring a dog.
• Share stories about service dogs and mental health. Breaking the silence helps others heal.

The way I see it, supporting SDOV is another kind of logistics—it’s making sure help gets where it’s needed most. And if I can do that through coffee, I’ll keep the roaster hot until the mission’s complete.

For the Love of Coffee. For the Loyalty of Dogs. For Those Who Serve.

From my heart and from all of us at Aerial Resupply Coffee: thank you for helping us make a difference. Whether you’re drinking Lifeline to start your morning or 15W40 to power through the night, know that your cup supports more than caffeine. It supports courage. It supports healing. It supports man’s best friend—and the veterans they now serve.