Dear Friends & Neighbors: 2019
For the third time in WAGs existence, we are asking our community to fund a K9s for Warriors pairing of a dog and wounded veteran. The Estate of Mary Hardy gave us a significant gift in her memory as a start. We’ve had two major success stories already; Greg and Wags in 2015, and Becca and Bobbi in 2017. Their personal journeys to new, safe lives were told in Journal articles.
Almost 90% of the big breeds that are hardest to place, come from shelters. They are ideal for this job. The rest are donated. Veterans matched with a dog are traumatized from their service years. A highly trained canine companion provides mental stability, physical confidence and enables the person to become a healthy, functioning member of society. Both gain a new leash on life.
K9s for Warriors main location is in northeast Florida. They provide housing and training facilities for about 40-60 dogs at a time. Veterans are accepted in groups of about a dozen to live on site in homelike cottages. Training of dogs and humans together takes several intense weeks. All costs are covered by private donations of individuals and corporations. They get no federal funding. A secondary smaller location was recently opened close to Gainesville primarily for female veterans.
All donations are most welcome during these next few months from April to the end of June. You will have the satisfaction of knowing that your check changed a veteran’s life, saved a shelter dog’s life and helped to repair the fabric of the world by a gift. It’s the best way we know of to meaningfully say “Thank you for your service.” We need $15,000.
We encourage you to ask family and friends to contribute, either to mark significant dates, in memory or in honor of a loved one, or just because it’s the most wonderful feeling to help damaged souls.
WAGs is always grateful and delighted at our community’s understanding of how important this is. Please leave your check (payable to WAGs) in the mail tube at:
28 Congressional (Barbara Kaminsky).
We’ll supply a tax donation letter upon request.
With deep appreciation….
Susan Addelston: President: WAGs