Joining forces to make a difference with America’s VetDogs

America’s VetDogs: The Veteran’s K-9 Corps is a program that matches veterans who need some assistance with specially trained dogs. The United Church of Christ and the American Legion and Legion Auxiliary will be working together for the next few months to raise funds for this special program.

Sometimes we become so polarized in our thinking about the political aspects of what is happening in our country that we forget the names and faces of those who have been so seriously affected by it all. It is shocking to hear the news of the numbers of men and women who are coming home from their deployment suffering physical and mental injuries. In the midst of our differences, is there a way that we can come together to make a difference in their lives?

Those words, from Pastor EvaLyn Carlson of the United Church of Christ in Grand Marais, introduce a partnership between the church and the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. The groups will be working together for the next few months to raise funds for a special project that will make a difference in the life of a disabled veteran.

Carlson explains that the America’s VetDogs program professionally breeds, raises, and trains dogs to provide assistance as guide dogs, service dogs (help with other disabilities other than visual impairment), combat stress relief dogs and military therapy dogs (used in physical therapy at military or VA hospitals). Once the dogs have been trained, they are matched with a veteran who spends time at a training facility where he or she begins a relationship with the dog and receives training in caring and handling of his or her new assistant.

Cost for breeding/training of one dog and the training of one veteran is about $20,000. With the help of the community, the church and the legion together hope to raise as much as possible toward the program for one VetDog.

For more information about the VetDog program, visit www.vetdogs.org.

Individuals or organizations who are interested in being a part of this project can contact EvaLyn Carlson at (218) 370- 7842 or Legion Post 413 Commander Don

Wilson at (218) 387-1217.

As Carlson said, “We can make a difference, one at a time.”