A new hub supporting Forces veterans with PTSD by partnering them with rescue dogs is set to open in Morecambe in memory of two fallen soldiers.
Ubique K-9 Frontline CIC has been founded by Afghanistan veteran Christopher Soden from Morecambe, a former Gunner of 5th Regiment Royal Artillery.
He is launching the unique canine crisis hub to honour his comrades Cpl Andrew Roberts and Pte Ratu Silibaravi.
On May 4 2012, at Forward Operating Base Ouellette in Afghanistan, the position of the two 23 Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) Pioneer Advanced Searchers - known affectionately as ‘Ginge’ and 'Sili' - came under indirect enemy fire.
Shortly after the deployment, both soldiers were tragically killed.
Corporal Andrew 'Ginge' Roberts and Private Ratu Silibaravi
Their deaths left Chris battling severe, deep-seated survivor's guilt for more than a decade.
"I carried the crushing weight that we didn't get to finish our job out there that day," he said.
"This CIC (Community Interest Company) is me finishing that job.
"We have completely adopted their 'Pioneer spirit' of cooperation. On the battlefield, you survive by working together and bridging the gaps. We bring that exact frontline mentality to mental health trauma in Morecambe.
"We don't care about business rivalry; we are partnering with local groomers, vets, trainers, and services because our only mission is saving lives."
The CIC aims to support frontline veterans battling mental health trauma and PTSD.
Chris said they will do this by using high-drive rescue dogs (Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds) as teachers and partners, taking veterans through an intensive 28-day course focusing on auxiliary aids and medical assistance tasks, while providing a safe sanctuary for the rescue dogs to decompress and a vocational pathway for their futures.
He said Ubique uses cutting-edge canine metabolic nutrition and real-time biometric tracking to train elite auxiliary aid dogs, alongside building a 1.5 acre DEFRA compliant off-leash exercise facility for large, exempted and high-drive canines, with specialist grooming and vocational training facilities.
Operating as a true family enterprise, Chris and the board of directors work alongside his homeschooled children, who are gaining accredited animal welfare and safety qualifications to run the frontline operations.
The CIC will soon open a local thrift and drop in hub in Morecambe - at a location to be confirmed - to completely self-fund its infrastructure, ensuring 100 per cent of incoming funds go directly toward frontline veteran care and emergency animal boarding.
By providing a dedicated boarding facility, the project aims to eliminate the heartbreaking choice vulnerable veterans face between seeking vital hospital healthcare or keeping their beloved pets.
Chris said the high-profile initiative has already secured local backing from military figures, including Lt Col B Dilkes MBE, alongside formal blessings from the families of the fallen soldiers to carry forward their sons' names and legacy.
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