Phoenix Rising exists to save lives by connecting people with fully trained service dogs, offering hope, healing, and a second chance to those living with PTSD and mental health disabilities.
Our founder’s mission is to positively impact at least 100,000 lives by 2032.
“At Phoenix Rising, we believe in second chances — for hearts, for lives, and for hope itself.”
Shadow, our founder’s faithful service dog, crisis response partner, and loyal companion, has been by her side through the darkest seasons of her life. After the death of her brother and a devastating trauma that left her battling PTSD, it was Shadow’s training, intuition, and love that quite literally saved her life.
He has been her strength when she faltered. He has been a steady presence not only for her, but for countless first responders, victims of tragedy, and those facing their own dark nights of the soul.
Now, as Shadow faces a terminal illness, we hold onto the precious gift of time we have left — and honor his legacy by ensuring others can experience the healing he gave so freely.
Inspired by Shadow’s life and legacy, Phoenix Rising was born to meet a growing, urgent need:
To raise up the next generation of service dogs through comprehensive training programs.
To offer life-saving support for people living with PTSD and mental health challenges.
To extend the love, hope, and second chance that every person facing trauma deserves.
What began as an anthology of incredible true stories has risen, like a phoenix from the ashes, into a foundation dedicated to getting life-saving service dogs into the hands and hearts of those whose lives are at risk.
Training a world-class service dog requires:
“Shadow has terminal cancer now. I’m devastated; he’s only five years old. Yet I was fortunate to adopt his successor on March 25, 2023. We named him Phoenix Rising. Out of the ashes of abandonment, I rose! Out of the trauma of abuse, I rose! Out of the ashes, a Phoenix rose!”
– From “Voices of the 21st Century,” Lee Atherton, Founder
And It’s Just Getting Started.
Proceeds from our books and future projects support our mission to get life-saving dogs into the hands and hearts of people with PTSD and other mental health disabilities!
The heart behind Phoenix Rising belongs to Lee Atherton, an author, pastor, and advocate for those battling invisible wounds. Inspired by mentors like Cheri Merz and Charmain Hammond, and motivated by a deep personal calling, Lee’s journey with Phoenix Rising is just beginning.
Lee Atherton, Founder
Coach, Speaker, International Best Selling Author
The heart behind Phoenix Rising belongs to Lee Atherton, an author, pastor, and advocate for those battling invisible wounds. Inspired by mentors like Cheri Merz and Charmain Hammond, and motivated by a deep personal calling, Lee’s journey with Phoenix Rising is just beginning.
As a coach, speaker, and international best-selling author, Lee brings a unique perspective to the world of service dog advocacy, having experienced firsthand the life-saving power of the human-canine connection.
Lee’s story is one of profound transformation and resilience. After experiencing the death of her brother and devastating trauma that led to PTSD, Lee found herself unable to work for two years, navigating a world of shame, fear, anxiety, night terrors, and depression.
It was during this dark period that Shadow became her PTSD service dog, helping her navigate back to life and purpose. Shadow has not only been her strength when she faltered, but he has also been a steady presence for countless first responders, victims of tragedy, and those facing their own dark nights of the soul.
From her chapter in “Voices of the 21st Century,” Lee writes: “Shadow has terminal cancer now. I’m devastated; he’s only five years old. Yet I was fortunate to adopt his successor on March 25, 2023. We named him Phoenix Rising. Out of the ashes of abandonment, I rose! Out of the trauma of abuse, I rose! Out of the ashes, a Phoenix rises!”
