Earlier this year, Forest Lodge No. 130, Wausau, presented Lani Rethaber, Executive Director of Patriot K9s of Wisconsin in Wausau, a check in the amount of $3,000 to support their efforts with training veterans and service dogs. Patriot K9s Of Wisconsin provides training and education to both Veterans/Service Members and Service Dog Candidates, to create the highest quality Service Dog Team at no cost. They serve disabled Veterans and Active-Duty Members impacted by Military related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
The veterans who come to the program participate in service dog training program and have taken the first step and gotten to a place in their lives that they are ready – ready for change, ready for growth, ready to reclaim their lives. Along the journey, they become part of the Patriot K9s family for life. Most will return repeatedly in some form, to volunteer themselves, giving back so that others may receive the same opportunities and a chance for a better life that they themselves now have.
At NO CHARGE, veterans accepted into the program are provided with a dog (if they do not have a socially appropriate dog already), a service vest, dog ID, certification record, all the necessary equipment, and a 24-week complete training program.
Submitted by Bro. Rick Schnabel
