Billy Horschel and the Horschel Family Foundation continue to give back to their local community in a variety of ways, including thanks to a strong partnership with K9s For Warriors, which allowed him to surprise Joey, an Air Force veteran, who the foundation helped sponsor the training of his service dog Roscoe.
Joey is not a huge fan of golf, but he roots hard for Horschel and has followed his career ever since finding out that the Horschel Family Foundation helped him, and Roscoe find each other.
The Panama City resident was invited to THE PLAYERS by K9s For Warriors and he thought it was a neat experience, but he never thought he would get the chance to meet Horschel until he surprised Joey while he and Roscoe were hanging out in the Optum Chalet.
Joey was looking out at the famed “island green” at No. 17 when Horschel took a break from his practice round on Wednesday, March 12 to visit the chalet.
At first Horschel leaned up against the railing next to Joey and asked him how he was doing. When Joey turned and saw who it was he was shocked and could not wait to shake his hand and thank him for all that he had done for him.
According to Horschel, seeing the look on Joey’s face when he saw him and the connection he has with Roscoe reassures him of the foundation’s continued efforts.
“We can get tied up in how we play, and that our golf’s not good, but not everyone is in the same boat,” Horschel said. “To help out people like Joe, and to see the true gratitude he has is what it’s all about.”
Joey and Roscoe were officially paired up in early November 2024.
“I can’t say enough about people that reach out to those who have served in the military,” Joey said. “I like to thank Billy not just for me but for Roscoe too, because Roscoe is a mixed dog and if you look at him he looks very intimidating. Coming from the shelter, Roscoe’s the type of dog that would probably be euthanized to be honest. So, not only did Billy and K9s For Warriors save me but they saved Roscoe as well.”
He initially found out about K9s For Warriors on Facebook, and it was family members that helped push him to pursue it as a possible help for his PTSD which was leading to him having panic attacks and anxiety.
“It was a two-year application, so if anybody wants to pursue it they need to get out there and get on the list,” Joey said. “K9s For Warriors knows what they’re doing, and they connected me and Roscoe by our personalities.”
The Horschel Family Foundation is also sponsoring the training for Nola, who is currently in the system at K9s For Warriors and will eventually be paired with a veteran as well.
Horschel credits his parents for instilling his values and the game of golf for providing him with the platform to make an even greater difference.
“Where I grew up my family didn’t have a lot of money, very blue collar and very lower middle class, but one thing my parents taught us is that we can still help out anyone any way we can,” Horschel said. “I’m in a position now where I can do the same thing but also provide a financial resource to help out organizations that are providing to people in need to live a better life.”
