Warrior Freedom is expanding its efforts to connect veterans to trained service dogs rescued from area animal shelters.
“The American soldier has sacrificed every part of his or her life to serve our country,” says Adam Keith, executive director and co-founder of Warrior Freedom. “It’s now our duty and privilege to help them reconnect to society through a new canine life partner.”
Since its inception six years ago as Operation Freedom Dogs, Warrior Freedom has graduated 10 veterans and rescued six dogs from local animal shelters, including the Humane Educational Society and the Pet Placement Center.
Four additional veterans are currently participating in the program. Dave Childress, who served in the Marine Corps for eight years and did two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was one of the program’s first participants and graduates in 2017.
“My desire and ability to serve didn’t end when I left the Marines. I still want to serve and be a benefit to society,” Childress say. “Warrior Freedom has helped me do that. It offers an avenue to overcome barriers and to start being a part of society again.”
Warrior Freedom’s training program is designed to train the veteran to train the dog. With guidance from a certified professional dog trainer and Warrior Freedom staff, veterans train as a group and individually once a week.
Warrior Freedom is constructing a new facility on its Flintstone, Georgia, property that will create additional space for training, kennels, offices and overnight accommodations for participating veterans who live outside the area.
The organization is currently raising funds to complete the construction, which will allow it to serve more veterans.
“Each year, more veterans need our help reconnecting to the society they fought tirelessly to protect,” says Keith. “Every dollar we raise supports our mission and allows us to minister to those who need a helping hand.”
Information: warriorfreedom.org.
Source: Warrior Freedom