# Walking by Faith Through the Fire

# Walking by Faith Through the Fire

### A Personal Update From Jennifer O’Neil & OSS — Our Shepherds Shepherds

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First, I want to say thank you to everyone who has continued to support, pray for, and stand beside me, my family, and OSS during one of the hardest seasons of my life. Your encouragement, loyalty, and friendship have meant more than words can express.

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## My Faith & Why I Will Never Hide It

Recently, I was criticized publicly for my faith and beliefs. Someone referred to me as a “fake Sunday Christian” — a statement that revealed they know very little about me or my walk with my Messiah, Yeshua.

In 2020, I stepped away from traditional Sunday church attendance after committing myself to deeper personal study of the Scriptures and Torah. My relationship with Yah is personal, intentional, and built on obedience, prayer, study, and fellowship — not performance or appearances.

That walk has led me to make some meaningful changes within my operations and business schedule.

### OSS Schedule Moving Forward

Effective immediately, OSS will be **fully closed every Saturday** in observance of Shabbat — the Sabbath — as commanded in Scripture. I understand that Saturdays and Sundays are when many people are off work and often reach out, and I want to be transparent about why I am unavailable during that time.

During Shabbat, I dedicate myself fully to fellowship, rest, worship, and honoring the Sabbath. I will not be answering calls, messages, or business communications.

My weekly schedule will generally look like this:

|Day |Focus |

|----------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

|**Saturday** |Closed — Shabbat observance |

|**Sunday & Monday** |Emails, applications, messages, and scheduling |

|**Tuesday – Thursday**|Training sessions, calls, evaluations, and client updates |

|**Friday** |Sabbath preparation — errands, dog food runs, meal prep, and homestead responsibilities|

To clarify a common misconception: I did not “become Jewish.” I have simply chosen to study the Scriptures for myself and follow what I believe Yah commands. Those are two very different things.

### “We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight”

I was also told that my website is “full of weird religious stuff.” My website reflects my faith, my values, and the foundation OSS was built on — and I make no apologies for that.

I proudly stand by our slogan: *We walk by faith and not by sight.*

I welcome every visitor with the word *Shalom* — which simply means peace. I will never apologize for representing my faith openly, and criticism for following Yeshua is nothing new to me.

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## Setting the Record Straight: What OSS Actually Produces

A false claim has been circulating that OSS only produces pet-quality dogs. That statement is simply not true, and it was made with the clear intent to mislead.

Yes — I absolutely produce excellent family companions and pet-quality FCI Dutch Shepherds. That has always been part of what I do, and I am proud of every dog placed in a loving home.

But OSS dogs have also gone on to serve in demanding professional and working environments, including:

- Police K-9 units

- Church security teams

- Military environments

- Protection and apprehension work

- Search and Rescue

- FEMA and emergency management support

- Narcotics detection

- PSA, IGP, IPO, and French Ring sports

- Dock diving and working sport homes

- PTSD service dog work

- Family and home protection

I am currently preparing to add testimonials, handler updates, and working progress from many of these teams directly onto the OSS website, so that anyone with genuine questions can see the track record for themselves.

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## My Breeding Program & Ethics

I want to directly address the accusation that I am an unethical breeder or a “backyard breeder.” That accusation is false.

OSS is not a large-scale commercial breeding operation. I do not mass produce puppies. I do not breed every female repeatedly for profit.

Every pairing I make is intentional — based on genetics, drives, temperament, structure, working ability, and the specific needs of future handlers and homes. Every puppy is individually evaluated and aptitude-tested before placement. I do not allow buyers to simply select a puppy based on color or appearance.

That process has worked successfully for years, and I will not compromise it — not for convenience, not for profit, and not because of public pressure.

I have also moved clients to different litters when I determined that a dog was not the right fit for their needs, even when doing so cost me financially. Matching the right dog to the right home has always mattered more to me than making a sale.

### Regarding One Specific Situation

A specific individual has publicly accused me of fraud in connection with a puppy I had been raising and individually training. I want to address this directly and clearly.

What was deliberately left out of that public accusation was this:

Over the course of working with this dog, it became clear that the animal’s drives and temperament were developing into a significantly higher-level working prospect than originally anticipated at the time of placement. The dog was no longer a suitable match for the lower-drive family environment that had originally been requested.

I communicated this to the client repeatedly and professionally. Despite my concerns, I was consistently pressured to continue pursuing the original training goal. I continued working with this dog at my own expense for months, without additional compensation, because I genuinely wanted to find a resolution.

Ultimately — after consulting with another trainer and conducting an honest evaluation — I made the professional decision to transition this client to a future litter that would be a more appropriate and successful match for their needs. I also offered complimentary basic obedience training as part of that transition.

That decision was not fraud. It was responsible, ethical dog placement — the same standard I apply to every dog that leaves OSS.

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## Giving Back & The OSS Valor Buddies Nonprofit

Over the years, I have donated countless hours of free training, rehabilitation work, and service dog placements to deserving individuals. Some of those dogs completely changed — and saved — lives, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

I am now working toward formally launching **OSS Valor Buddies**, named in honor and memory of Corey N. Hart. This program has been on my heart for a long time. It is being built specifically to help deserving veterans and first responders access purpose-bred, properly trained service dogs — with the structure, accountability, and long-term sustainability required for a program like this to genuinely succeed.

I want to be fully transparent about how this program will work, because I believe honesty matters from the beginning.

**OSS Valor Buddies will not be a free dog giveaway.** I say that without apology, because the people criticizing that decision do not understand — or choose not to understand — what goes into producing and training these animals correctly. The genetics, health testing, breeding costs, raising, socialization, veterinary care, nutrition, training, and daily investment required to produce a properly developed working or service dog is significant. Every OSS Dutch Shepherd is intentionally paired and produced for a specific purpose. These are not random litters bred for volume.

Once fully operational, the nonprofit will be funded through donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, matching assistance programs, and community support — all of which will help offset costs for qualifying individuals. However, every accepted applicant will still be expected to contribute a portion of the overall cost based on their individual financial situation and eligibility.

Applications will be reviewed by myself and a small committee. Applicants will be required to submit supporting documentation — including physician or mental health provider letters, military or leadership recommendations, proof of need, and financial information — to determine eligibility and the appropriate level of assistance.

Approved candidates will be placed on a waiting list for a specifically planned pairing designed to produce the temperament, drives, and characteristics suited to their individual needs and lifestyle. These are not pets. They are purpose-bred working and service animals, evaluated and developed for a specific job.

Applications, updated training schedules, package options, pricing information, and program details will be available on the OSS website soon.

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## Looking Ahead

One day, when the legal matters behind the scenes have concluded, I may share my full testimony — everything my children and I have survived over these past several years.

Not for sympathy. But because I believe our story may genuinely help other women find the courage to leave dangerous situations and begin rebuilding their lives.

Behind the scenes, several women within the OSSOPPS team are already working toward programs designed to help women safely transition out of abusive environments and rebuild stability. I believe Yah can take even the darkest seasons and use them for something meaningful.

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## Final Thoughts

I did not want to have to write this post. But truth matters. My faith matters. My family matters. My reputation matters. And the work I have poured my life into through OSS matters.

To everyone who has stood beside us, defended us, prayed for us, trained with us, or simply believed in what we are building — **thank you.**

We have a great deal coming soon for OSS and the OSS community, including:

- Livestreams and podcasts

- Handler testimonials and working dog updates

- Fundraising events

- Downloadable resources and educational content

- K9 TCCC courses

- Stop the Bleed classes

- Tactical defense training

- Working dog education and handler programs

Stay connected through our website, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, the OSS Community App, and the Members Signal App. There is a lot ahead, and I am honored to be building it alongside this community.

The truth always prevails.

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*Have a blessed day,*

**Jennifer O’Neil**

OSS — Our Shepherds Shepherds

*“We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight”*