Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Tate.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up in a family that was deeply passionate about giving back to the community and helping those who are less fortunate was something that shaped all of us. That philosophy of service and compassion is really what SGT Canines was built around.
We are three sisters and one lifelong best friend whose bond has grown even stronger since coming together to create this foundation. What started as a passion project has turned into a mission to help dogs who are most overlooked, unseen, and often forgotten.
Our grandfather, Stanley Graham Tate, was a huge advocate for giving back and always helped wherever he could. After he passed, we knew we had big shoes to fill. We started asking ourselves where we could make the biggest impact in our community. As a family that always had dogs—especially large breed dogs that were often stereotyped simply because of how they looked—we quickly realized that the rescue world was where we belonged.
Before officially launching SGT Canines, we spent time volunteering, networking, and working alongside other rescues to help dogs in need. But as we became more involved, we realized there was so much more we could do. So in September 2024, we officially opened our doors and created what is now SGT Canines.
Our name is actually a tribute to our grandfather—Stanley Graham Tate—and serves as a reminder of the values he instilled in us.
At SGT Canines, we focus on dogs that have spent long periods of time in shelters—sometimes months or even years—whose fate may end in euthanasia not because they’re bad dogs, but simply because they’ve been overlooked for too long. We also take on urgent medical cases, another group of dogs that are often left behind due to the high costs of life-saving treatments they desperately need.
One thing that really sets us apart is our philosophy behind our Dog House. Because of the types of dogs we help—many of whom have been through stressful shelter environments—we believe a home-style setting is the best way for them to decompress, adjust, and show their true personalities. This allows us to properly evaluate them, help them heal, and ensure that when they are adopted, it truly is their forever home.
At the end of the day, everything we do is about giving these dogs the second chance they deserve.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely been far from a smooth road. When we first started, things seemed to fall into place quickly. We had just closed on our house, everything felt exciting, and what began with saving one dog quickly turned into saving several. The more dogs we helped, the more we realized how great the need truly was, and seeing dogs that had gone unnoticed finally find their happy endings gave us the momentum to keep going.
But with that growth came a lot of challenges. This year in particular has been difficult. Donations have been at an all-time low, which makes things especially challenging when we focus on some of the most overlooked cases and urgent medical dogs. Many of the dogs we rescue are long-term shelter residents who simply need time, patience, and sometimes training to decompress and adjust after spending months or even years in a stressful environment.
The emotional and financial responsibilities can be heavy. Veterinary care, training, and daily care add up quickly, and building a consistent base of monthly donors is something we are still working toward. At the same time, we are a very small team. It’s really just the founders handling everything—from coordinating rescues and vet care to transporting dogs, managing adoptions, and completing all the paperwork behind the scenes. We do have one employee who lives at our Dog House full time, but everything we do relies entirely on donations.
One thing people often don’t realize is that rescue doesn’t end when a dog leaves the shelter—that’s actually when the real work begins. That is when donations are needed most. Some dogs require months of ongoing treatment, decompression, or time before adoption. Once a dog comes into our care, they become our responsibility, and that commitment continues even after they’re adopted.
Despite the challenges, what keeps us going is seeing these dogs finally feel safe, loved, and understood. Watching a dog who was once overlooked begin to trust again and find a family makes every obstacle worth it.
As we continue to grow, our goal is to expand into a larger facility that will allow us to help more dogs and build a sustainable team. At the end of the day, our vision is to create something that allows us to keep saving dogs, supporting adopters, and strengthening / educating the dog community for many years to come.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
“Rescue doesn’t end when a dog leaves the shelter—that’s when the real work begins.”
At SGT Canines, our mission is to give a second chance to dogs who are often overlooked and forgotten in the shelter system. We focus on long-term shelter residents—dogs who have spent months or even years waiting for a chance—as well as urgent medical cases and moms with litters that many rescues are unable to take on due to the cost and level of care required.
Many of the dogs we rescue aren’t overlooked because they’re bad dogs. In most cases, they’ve simply been passed over for too long or are large-breed dogs that people often stereotype or misunderstand. We believe that with the right environment, patience, and support, these dogs can truly thrive.
One thing that sets us apart is our Dog House philosophy. Instead of a traditional kennel-style environment, we provide a home setting where dogs can decompress after leaving the shelter. Many of the dogs we take in have spent long periods in extremely stressful environments, so giving them the opportunity to adjust in a calm, home-like space allows us to better understand their personalities and set them up for success before adoption.
Because our team is small, we stay very hands-on throughout the entire process—from rescue and rehabilitation to adoption—and we continue supporting our adopters long after a dog goes home. For us, adoption isn’t the end of the story; it’s the beginning of that dog’s new life.
What we’re most proud of is seeing dogs that were once overlooked or at risk of euthanasia finally experience safety, love, and stability. Watching them transform and find their forever families is something that never gets old.
At the end of the day, every dog deserves someone who refuses to give up on them—and that’s exactly what SGT Canines strives to be.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that might surprise people is that before starting SGT Canines and becoming a full-time rescue advocate, I was actually a teacher. I have a degree in Special Education K–12 and worked as a first-grade inclusion teacher. That experience really shaped how I approach a lot of what we do in rescue—especially when it comes to patience, understanding different needs, and helping individuals succeed in their own way.
I’m also a mom to two little boys, ages four and two, so life is definitely busy and full. Balancing motherhood while running a rescue has been a huge learning experience, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
I was born and raised in North Miami, Florida, and the values I grew up with—helping others, showing compassion, and giving back to the community—are a big part of what inspired me to help build SGT Canines in the first place. In many ways, rescue work feels like a continuation of that same purpose: supporting those who just need a little extra help and a chance to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sgtcanines.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sgt_canines
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Bd2Cvcm6L/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.sgtcanines.com/donate
