PONTE VEDRA, Fla by PRNewswire. Great news! K9s For Warriors, the group that trains service dogs for veterans, just hit a major milestone in their fight to end veteran suicide. This past Thursday, they graduated their 1,000th veteran-dog team! That’s Staff Sergeant Ryan and his furry partner Frankie. This is a huge deal and it shows just how much these service dogs can help our veterans.
K9s For Warriors just hit a fantastic milestone! They’ve paired up 1,000 veterans with life-changing service dogs thanks to an incredible team effort. That’s right, past and present staff, volunteers, donors, and even veteran families all played a huge role. This is exactly what the founder, Shari Duval, envisioned – veterans getting the hope, companionship, and independence they deserve, completely free of charge. It’s a win-win for everyone!
1,000 Veterans Paired with Life-Saving Service Dogs.
Receiving a trained Service Dog at no cost was one of the significant reasons Ryan decided to apply to K9s after one of his mental health providers recommended a Service Dog to help him navigate his PTSD. He says the impact his Service Dog Frankie is already making in his life after three short weeks together:
“Frankie will help provide me the support I need when in high anxiety situations, to be more emotionally and mentally available for my family. He has already significantly reduced my anxiety and provides me comfort and support in what used to be high anxiety situations.”
“This month marks an extraordinary milestone for K9s For Warriors as we celebrate the graduation of our 1,000th Warrior paired with a life-saving Service Dog –1,000 unique Warrior lives saved,” says K9s For Warriors Chief Program Officer Kevin Steele. “This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering dedication and support of so many – our team members, donors, partners, and incredible volunteers. Together, as we celebrate transforming the lives of 1,000 Veterans and their Service Dogs, we look to the next 1,000 ready to give them their new leash on life.”
K9s For Warriors isn’t slowing down anytime soon!
Their mission is to get life-saving service dogs to veterans, along with all the support they need to live their best lives. It’s a big deal because sadly, about 20 veterans die by suicide every single day. K9s For Warriors wants that number to be zero.
Here’s what they do:
- They’re the biggest group training service dogs for veterans with PTSD, brain injuries, or military sexual trauma.
- Most of their dogs are rescues, creating a special bond between the veteran and their furry partner.
- Science backs them up! Studies show these service dogs can really help veterans manage their symptoms and feel more confident and independent.
They started in 2011 and haven’t stopped fighting for veterans. They raise awareness about mental health issues and even try to influence laws to better support veterans. They’ve got training centers across the country to help as many veterans as possible.
Pretty inspiring, right?
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