K9s for Warriors rescues dogs from shelters prior to being euthanized and trains them to be service dogs for veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. We hope you can donate $10.00, $100.00 or what ever amount you can afford – 94% of every dollar will help a Veteran with PTSD in Nashville receive a service dog from K9s For Warriors.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, one soldier commits suicide every 65 minutes. Service dogs are a natural cure for PTSD! Animal Fair and Wendy Diamond have partnered with K9s for Warriors and is dedicated to raise enough money for a dog to be rescued from a shelter and trained as CGC-certified service dog for a Veteran with PTSD in Nashville!
The K9's For Warriors Program/Rescue removes dogs from shelters prior to being euthanized and transports them back to their facility. After having a complete physical, the dogs are trained to meet CGC (Canine Good Citizen) standards. Upon completion, they are paired with a veteran with PTSD based upon his/her special needs and the special tasks the dog is most capable of performing. It costs approximately $10,000 to graduate one veteran/canine team from the time the dog is accepted into training. This also includes housing, feeding and training with his veteran for three weeks.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a very real epidemic amongst veterans and affects up to 30 percent of all soldiers; 184 new cases are diagnosed every single day. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, one soldier commits suicide every 65 minutes. This is an alarming statistic, but studies show dogs can be very therapeutic in the treatment of PTSD and other military-related stresses.
Shari Duval (wife of PGA TOUR player Bobby Duval) was inspired by her own son to start this program. She explains, "My son, Brett Simon, returned home from two tours in Iraq as a bomb dog handler. I didn't even know what PTSD was. I only knew that my son came home a different person." She continues, "Our family noticed that when he was with his canines he was better, more like the 'old Brett.' Our family had the resources to help Brett but we know most do not. I spent two years researching service dog therapy and finally decided to open the K9's For Warrior Program/Rescue."
K9′s For Warrior Program/Rescue's success is a triumph for the organization. Duval commented, "The warriors arrive here broken on two legs and leave here walking into their recovery on six. They are able to go and do things that weren't possible before they received their service dog." She added, "These dogs provide more medical improvement for the warriors than all the drugs they have been placed on."
Thanks to our generous sponsors, your donation will 100% benefit K9s For Warriors. American Express Open understands the importance of small businesses and currently 10% of all small businesses have been started by veterans. Ellen DeGeneres' pet food company, HALO, Purely for Pets knows that natural nutrition is imperative for service dogs (and all dogs) because it ensures a long, happy life with their owners and are on board to support the K9s For Warriors Bark Breakfast Benefit Tour! The pet-friendly Loews Vanderbilt Hotel is graciously providing the space for the Bark Breakfast so we can gather and raise money, as well as get the bark out about K9s For Warriors!
K9s For Warriors, Animal Fair and Wendy Diamond will host the BARK BREAKFAST BENEFIT on July 24, 2013 in Nashville to celebrate our wounded veterans and rally to raise awareness and donations for our American heroes that have sacrificed selflessly for our country. Dogs are welcome at breakfast (we promise lots of Halo treats, too)! Your support will help us save a Veteran with PTSD and a dog from being euthanized!
In Nashville, we will honor Melissa, 40, who served within the US Army as an SPC for 8 years and graduated from K9s For Warriors in June 2012 when she was paired with Chauncey, a Golden Retriever. Chauncey was dumped at an animal shelter in Florida because his former family claimed they didn't want him anymore when they decided to move back to Ohio. The shelter staff immediately knew he was a special dog and called K9s For Warriors. Chauncey is a big, lovable boy who helps Melissa with her PTSD and assists with her balance and mobility issues. Melissa was a performer in high school but due to PTSD, she had developed a stammer. When she and Chauncey were paired, she realized she no longer stammered! Melissa has overcome her stuttering and frequently gives speeches about the benefits of service dogs for PTSD! Melissa and Chauncey share a special bond – every time Chauncey senses Melissa is about to experience a panic attack, he rubs his big head up against her to remind her he's there and that she can depend on him for comfort.
Please watch this video to understand the importance of your donation:)
The Bark Business Breakfast will visit Nashville on July 24, 2013 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel from 8-10 AM.
2100 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
Please donate to this wonderful event in Nashville!
For the Best that Pet Lifestyle and Animal Welfare has to offer follow Wendy Diamond on Facebook, Twitter, and right here at AnimalFair.com!
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