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Support Is Needed to Provide Lifesaving Service Dogs to Returning Military Members
This Veterans Day, give to local service men and womenENGLEWOOD, CO—Nov. 9, 2012— Although it was recently announced that the Veterans Administration slashed funding for service dogs, Colorado’s own Freedom Service Dogs continues to rescue shelter dogs, custom train them and then provide them to returning veterans at no cost. However, the organization is in real need of donations to meet the growing demand. In order to help the 42 service members currently on their wait list, they are reaching out to the Colorado Springs community and asking for help. For a typical service dog, the journey from rescue to service costs approximately $25,000. Freedom Service Dogs takes on that expense solely through the support of charitable donations. FSD Client, Joel, was deployment to Iraq several times and injured by a roadside blast that left him with both severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). By the time he found Freedom Service Dogs and Barrett, he says he was about to be “kicked to the curb and put in a nursing home.” “I was angry. I wished I had died in Iraq rather than face the difficulties in my life,” says Joel. “And one night, when I sat on the bed getting ready to end my life, it was Barrett that put his paw on my leg. He looked up, as if to say, ‘It’s ok, I’ve been there myself’ – that night, Barrett saved my life.”This Veterans Day, millions of Americans will take a moment to remember those who have served and that is especially true in Colorado Springs. Shrinking federal budgets and the sheer number of injured service members are overwhelming government programs. Every day, 18 veterans die by their own hand. More than 33,000 veterans have committed suicide in the past five years – that’s more than the number of casualties in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. FSD knows that even without the help of the V.A., they need to continue to provide these lifesaving dogs. You can help local Colorado service men and women by making a donation through either www.FreedomServiceDogs.org or by calling 303-922-6231.###About Freedom Service DogsFreedom Service Dogs is a charitable organization located in Englewood that rescues dogs from shelters and custom trains them for individual client needs. Clients include children, veterans and active duty soldiers, and other adults. Their disabilities include Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord injuries, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). FSD currently has over 45 people on its wait list for a service dog. All proceeds will go to fund the rescue and training of more service dogs. For more information, visit www.freedomservicedogs.org.