Pruggerville, TX (KXAN) — Many veterinarians who leave the service need some help transitioning. A veteran from Pflugerville wanted to make things easier by taking out the trash.
“Having a set schedule every day, or knowing what you’re going to do every day to be more responsible and independent as a civilian, I would say that’s probably one of the more difficult things,” Joshua Shaffer said.
After eight years in the military, Schaefer is now the owner of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling in Pflugerville.
“Remove anything you no longer need in your home,” he explained.
He’s offering jobs to other veterans, like Miguel Zamaron, who recently retired from the military.
“It’s a bit difficult to transition to the civilian world like I did, based on what they do in the military,” Zamaron said.
Veterans teams help remove unwanted items from homes and businesses in the Austin area.
Kyle resident Steve Winter, a Navy veterinarian, hired them to clean his yard.
“If it was veteran-owned, if I had a choice, if all things were equal, I would choose a veteran-owned business because I was one of them,” Winter said.
Trash doesn’t just end up in landfills. JDog found another way to get giant items.
“One of our goals is to have 60 to 80 percent of what we do be donated, recycled or repurposed so that others can use it,” Schaefer said.
Another goal is to get more veteran jobs.
The Texas Workforce Commission said the veterans unemployment rate in May 2021 was close to 6 percent. Schaefer wants less than 1%.
“They work hard and are committed to getting the job done,” Schaeffer said.
As an ex-military, this is what Winter supports.
“A lot of people have PTSD, and no, there are, I don’t think these people have enough resources,” Winter said.
JDog Junk Removal & Hauling will host a grand opening on Saturday at the Lake Pflugerville Pavilion. Events will be highlighted with ribbon cutting, food trucks, petting zoos, pony rides and inflatable attractions.
As Thanksgiving approaches, the brand new business will also have used clothing and non-perishable food.