The mission to raise enough money to cover the costs of breeding, raising and training of a service dog in the American Vet Dog program continues in Cook County. Organizers got closer to their goal, thanks to a generous donation of $250 from Grand Portage American Legion Post 2009. Grand Portage Legion member and Cook County Veterans Services Officer Clarence Everson presents the check to Reverend EvaLyn Carlson for the Vet Dog program.
“The road home from war is longer, steeper and often more challenging than the road to war for most soldiers and their families. After the joyful, long anticipated reunions there is a difficult period of transition, readjustment, and hard work ahead for every soldier and his or her family. “
John Seppola – Welcome them Home, Help them Heal
Over the past few months, First Congregational UCC along with American Legion Post 413 have been hosting and helping with fundraisers for the America’s Vet Dogs program.
Reverend EvaLyn Carlson explains the church’s involvement with Vet Dogs. “As we who seek peace and justice continue to speak out against war, we also are faced with the reality of war and the thousands of young men and women that daily put their lives on the line in various boiling pots throughout the world. They come home with wounds — physical, emotional as well as spiritual.
“As we recognize our own veteran brothers and sisters, we also recognize our responsibility to create and sustain communities of faith, hope and healing for them and their families,” said Reverend Carlson.
Carlson said that while donations will go to America’s Vet Dogs to provide healing for one wounded combat veteran, community members also have been able to honor local veterans through donations given in their honor or their memory. Names of veterans being recognized or remembered are posted at the American Legion Club and at First Congregational Church.
If you are interested in donating to the America’s Vet Dogs project in honor of or in memory of a veteran, contact the church or the American Legion or attend any one of the publicized fund raising events.
“This is a transforming process for all of us as we become part of the process of ‘welcoming them home, and helping them heal,’” said Carlson.
America’s Vet Dogs 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). The trained dogs 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 Vet Dog.
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.
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