Stefan Walter
Founder / Executive Director / Chaplain-in-Training
Raised in a Romanian orphanage, Stefan is a chaplain-in-training, storyteller, and Honey's handler. He leads the mission with lived experience of trauma and healing.
About Honey On Duty
From shelter dog to national healer — discover the story behind the traveling service dog bringing hope, dignity, and second chances across America.
Our Mission
The Honey On Duty Project exists to bring healing, hope, and dignity to people in pain through the quiet strength of a trained service dog, trauma-informed human support, and community education — so no one has to face crisis, illness, or grief alone.
Our Vision
We imagine a world where every person walking through illness, trauma, or loss can access a safe human, a steady dog, and a path forward — where dogs get second chances, compassion is accessible, and healing of mind, body, and spirit is something we build together in every city Honey visits.
Honey's Story: From Shelter Dog to Healer
The Beginning: Twice Surrendered
Honey wasn't always a healer. She was surrendered twice before finding her forever home — once as a puppy, and again as a young dog. Most people saw a pitbull and walked away. But one person saw potential.
On March 27th, Honey was adopted from the Stafford County Animal Shelter in Virginia. What started as a rescue became a partnership that would change thousands of lives.
The Transformation: Becoming a Service Dog
Honey's handler, Stefan Walter, is a survivor himself — raised in a Romanian orphanage, he understands trauma, loss, and the power of second chances. Together, they began a journey of training, healing, and purpose.
With the help of Amanda Cubbage, Honey's professional service dog trainer, Honey learned to provide calm, steady support during panic attacks, PTSD episodes, and moments of overwhelming grief. She became more than a pet — she became a lifeline.
The Mission: Traveling Coast to Coast
Today, Honey has flown nearly 35 times, visited 15+ states, and brought comfort to thousands of people in hospitals, burn units, hospice care, and crisis scenes.
She's walked in front of caskets at funerals, sat bedside with dying patients, deployed to crisis scenes with first responders, and brought peace to children facing unimaginable pain. She's living proof that every dog — and every person — deserves a second chance.
Honey's Journey
Before March 27th
Surrendered twice, overlooked by many, waiting in a shelter for a second chance.
March 27th – Adoption Day
Adopted from Stafford County Animal Shelter. A new life begins.
Year 1 – Training & First Flights
Training starts immediately with service dog trainer Amanda Cubbage. Within the first three months, Honey is on her first commercial flight and first small airplane. That first year together she flies to Vermont, Las Vegas, and Oklahoma, learning to work calmly through airports, hotels, and new environments.
Year 2 – National Tour & Exposure
Hospice visits are still ahead, but Honey spends a full year on the road as part of Stefan's national mental health tour—attending conferences, meeting communities, and traveling through 15 states in 12 months. She becomes the steady, grounding presence at events while the long-term hospice and therapy vision is being built.
Year 3 – Certification & Therapy Work
Year three is all about credentials and readiness: Honey earns her AKC CGC, becomes certified through Alliance of Therapy Dogs, and Stefan, Honey & Lacy complete CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) training. Together, they begin the early stages of hospice, hospital, and crisis-response work.
Today – National Ambassador
Nearly 35 flights, 15+ states, and thousands of lives touched. Honey is stepping into regular hospice and crisis-response deployments while continuing to travel, deliver Honeygrams, and serve as a national ambassador for redemption, resilience, and service dogs.
Our Core Values
Everything we do is guided by these principles. They shape how we show up, how we serve, and how we build trust with the people and communities we support.
Compassionate Presence
We show up, we stay, we listen. No one is just "a case." Every person we meet deserves to be seen, heard, and valued.
Dignity in Hard Moments
Hospital beds, burn units, funerals, jails, and crisis scenes are sacred ground. We move with respect, humility, and care.
Redemption & Second Chances
For people and for dogs. Surrendered dog to healer; orphanage kid to chaplain-in-training. Everyone deserves a path forward.
Mind-Body-Spirit Healing
We honor mental health, physical pain, and spiritual needs as one story. No forced religion — only invited support.
Dog & Shelter Advocacy
We actively show what a well-trained service dog can be: safe, steady, family, healer. We fight stigma and champion rescue dogs.
Collaboration Over Competition
We partner with hospitals, shelters, trainers, nonprofits, and community resources. If we can't provide something, we connect people to those who can.
Integrity & Stewardship
Money, time, and trust are handled carefully. Donations fund real visits, real impact — not fluff.
Meet the Team
The Honey On Duty Project is powered by a small, dedicated team of humans and one very special dog — all committed to bringing healing, hope, and second chances wherever they're needed most.
Lacy Jones
Co-Founder / Operations Director
Lacy handles logistics, planning, and operations. She's Honey's second anchor human and ensures every trip runs smoothly. CISM-trained for crisis response work.
Jason "Yoda" Hofmann
Co-Founder / Canine Training Expert
Founder of 203 Pet Service, Jason leads our future dog training pipeline and advises on liability, behavior, and standards.
Amanda Cubbage
Board Member / Service Dog Trainer
Honey's original trainer and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Amanda sets the standards for service dog behavior, public access readiness, and future dog selection.
Dr. Brianna Horrocks, DVM
Board Member / Veterinary Advisor
Honey's veterinarian. Dr. Horrocks provides medical credibility, health documentation, and on-site support for specialized trips.
What Makes Us Different
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We Travel Nationwide
Honey doesn't wait for people to come to her — she goes to them. Nearly 35 flights, 15+ states, and growing. We bring healing where it's needed most through all six core programs.
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We Work in the Hardest Places
Burn units, hospice care, crisis scenes, funerals, and first responder support. We show up when things are at their worst through Program 1: Healing Visits and Program 2: Crisis & Community Response.
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Trauma-Informed & CISM-Trained
Stefan, Lacy, and Honey are trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and trauma-informed care. This isn't just "dog therapy" — it's professional crisis support through Program 2 and Program 3: Mental Health & Education.
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We Advocate for Shelter Dogs
Honey's story proves that "problem dogs" can become healers. We actively fight breed stigma and show what rescue dogs can achieve with training and love through Program 5: Canine Advocacy & Training.
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Faith-Honoring, Never Forced
Stefan serves as a chaplain-in-training, offering prayer and spiritual support when requested — but always respecting all backgrounds and beliefs through Program 4: Faith & Chaplaincy.
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Always Free to Those in Need
Crisis response, hospice visits, and healing visits are always free. Donations and sponsorships fund travel and growth — not gatekeeping. 100% of core healing visits are always free.
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We Tell the Story
Through strategic media partnerships, we document Honey's journey with video, photography, and storytelling that inspires and educates as part of Program 6: Storytelling & Outreach.
Be Part of Honey's Mission
Whether you want to request a visit, support our work, or partner with us — there's a place for you in this story.