Charlie's Call to Duty is built on a simple belief: a shelter dog's story doesn't have to end at adoption. It can be the beginning of a new purpose.
It began with one dog. In 2015, our founder, Adam Smith, was attacked by a stranger while walking home from the train in Chicago. He survived with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, and it took more than two years of therapy before he could begin living independently again. He was having several seizures a day.
Then Charlie came into his life. Charlie was trained to sense a seizure coming, keep Adam safe and get help. The first time he saved Adam's life, he alerted him, pressed an emergency call button, and lay under Adam's head until the seizure stopped. The paramedics who arrived were stunned by how quickly he had called for help.
Charlie was by Adam's side for 11 years. After he passed away of old age, Adam set out to honor him by giving others the same companionship and security Charlie had given him. That mission became Charlie's Call to Duty.
Charlie was Adam's seizure alert service dog, his constant companion and his lifeline. Even in his final years, when Adam felt he had more than earned his retirement, Charlie refused to stop working, and he took care of Adam until the very end.
He had a gift for finding family, too. On a visit to KC Pet Project, Charlie lay down in front of one kennel and refused to move. Inside was Suki, who became his sister and is still part of Adam's family today.
The charity carries his name so his work can continue: giving shelter dogs with the potential to serve a second chance, and giving people with disabilities a partner like Charlie, at no cost.
“He saved my life many times over the 11 years he was with me.”
Charlie and London, when she was about five months old
Carrying on his work
London joined Adam's family about a year before Charlie passed away. She was still finishing her service dog training when she stepped into Charlie's role beside Adam, and she's by his side today.
The people behind the mission
Adam Smith
Founder & Executive Director
Adam grew up in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and built a career in luxury retail with brands including Coach, Sephora and the LVMH Group before returning to Kansas City in 2018. Today he works with shelters across the country to find adopters and fosters for dogs in need, and recently helped save several dogs from euthanasia at Dallas Animal Services. At home, he shares life with London and two rescue dogs, Suki and JoJo.
Photo: Tracy Spisak, Gallery Portraiture
Shelee Brim
Board Member
Shelee's love for dog rescue began when she was eight years old and started bringing rescue dogs home, making sure they had a safe place to land. Today she and her family share their home with three rescues: Buddy, Happy and Sadie. She has volunteered with Always & Furever in Spring Hill and helped Imagine Furever Ranch in Shawnee from day one as its Intake Coordinator. As a Realtor with Keller Williams Diamond Partners and the KC Homes & Hounds Group, she donates to a local dog rescue every time she helps someone buy or sell a home. In her words: “Every sale saves a tail.”
Answer the call
Be part of Charlie's story.
Foster, volunteer, partner with us, or just ask a question. We'd love to hear from you.
