SNU to Recognize Ruger at Upcoming K9 Veterans Day Celebration
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bethany, OK – Southern Nazarene University (SNU) will be recognizing Ruger at its upcoming K9 Veterans Day celebration. Ruger, a service dog who has provided invaluable assistance to his handler, Cryptologist Technician Petty Officer Third Class (CTR3) Carrie Moore, will be recognized for his dedication to serving veterans and their families.
Carrie Moore, who served in the U.S. Navy from January 1996 to January 2001, was stationed at the National Security Agency in Ft. Meade, Maryland, where she worked in the intelligence field. She served on a 24-hour watch floor before being selected as a mission management supervisor. During her service, she was awarded the Joint Service Medal for her outstanding contributions.
Carrie credits her father, William Andrus, a Vietnam veteran who served in both the Navy and the Army, as her inspiration for joining the military. She is also a volunteer with the American Red Cross and an accredited Veteran Service Officer (VSO), helping veterans with claims and compensation. Through her years of service to veterans, Carrie has made a lasting impact on her community, receiving recognition including the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2022.
As part of her advocacy work, Carrie competes in the Ms. Veteran America competition to raise awareness for women veterans and their needs. In 2023, she reached the top 10 in the national competition, raising over $8,000 to benefit homeless women veterans and their children. She is also competing for the title of Ms. Achievement World in July 2025, advocating for the use of service dogs for veterans.
Carrie and her husband, Matthew, recognized the need for a comprehensive service dog program for veterans, leading to the creation of Got Your Six Service Dogs, a nonprofit dedicated to providing service dogs to veterans in need. The Moores use rescue dogs from local shelters or dogs already in veterans' homes to pair with those in need, offering vital support through the use of service dogs. To date, over 100 veterans have reached out to the program for assistance.
One of the stars of their service dog program is Ruger, a 6-year-old German Shepherd mix. Ruger was found running along I-40 in Yukon in January 2021 and was placed in a shelter before being rescued by the Moores. After a series of foster homes, Ruger found his forever home with Carrie and Matt, and his training as a service dog began in 2023.
Ruger has since become an integral part of Carrie’s life, alerting to her heart rate changes due to her heart condition, Wolfe-Parkinson-White syndrome. He provides deep pressure therapy (DPT) during these episodes, helping her manage her health condition. Ruger has also traveled to over 20 states and participated in numerous events, including Carrie’s Ms. Veteran America competition.
"Ruger has had a huge impact on me, but also on the veteran community," said Carrie Moore. "More people know Ruger than know my name, and I’m totally okay with that. He’s truly a hero in his own right."
The K9 Veterans Day celebration at SNU will honor Ruger and other service dogs who have supported their handlers through the years. The event will take place on March 29th, 2025, at the Ron Clark Dog Park in Bethany, OK from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with the official honor presentation happening at 12:00 noon. The event will highlight the importance of service dogs in the lives of veterans and recognize their contributions to the veteran community.
About Southern Nazarene University
Southern Nazarene University is a Christian institution dedicated to providing quality higher education while promoting the values of Christlike discipleship, refinement of character, and service to others.
For more information about the K9 Veterans Day celebration or to learn more about the Got Your Six Service Dogs program, please visit https://www.snu.edu/national-
