Misson
Quite simply, our mission is to give old dogs a new mission. We do this by recruiting seniors who are homeless or facing homelessness into our Camp and bringing attention to the wonderful qualities these senior dogs possess.
Leadership
Joel launched Camp Golden Years back in 2014 after realizing senior dogs deserved a place to hang up their leashes, kick back, and enjoy a well-earned retirement—boot camp style! A Navy Corpsman (combat medic) who served alongside the 2/9 Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, Joel brought home a mission of compassion and discipline, swapping battlefields for backyards full of wagging tails. Today, he leads Camp Golden Years like a cheerful commander of the “Old Dog Army,” making sure every four-legged veteran gets the respect and care they deserve while they await a forever-home. Under his leadership, Camp Golden Years has become a trusted rescue and sanctuary to almost 500 dogs. Joel currently operates Camp from his home in Dewey, AZ where he and his family care for the 6-12 recruits on hospice or awaiting homes. Joel is currently working toward his Masters in Non-Profit Management as well as pre-reqs for Physical Therapy school in hopes that he can keep adding value and keep serving in the Old Dog Army for the years ahead.
Future
Over the next five years, Camp Golden Years is marching toward an even brighter future for senior dogs. Our mission is to expand our facility to house up to 12-16 senior dogs at a time, build a dedicated “Old Dog Boot Camp” training yard, and create more foster and hospice programs for dogs who deserve comfort in their golden years. We’re also developing partnerships with veterans’ groups and local communities to help rehome senior dogs from military families in need. With continued donor support, we’ll keep growing our ranks—more rescues, more adoptions, and more tails wagging proudly in formation. The future of Camp Golden Years is one of compassion, camaraderie, and countless happy retirements.