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From Disabled World Service Dogs for Disabled Vets By Tina Valant
$1.25 Million Raised for Disabled Veterans Efforts to help disabled soldiers returning from battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan received a big boost from Vets Helping Heroes: $1.25 million, which will secure trained service dogs. The funds were raised at the Vets Helping Heroes’ Gala at The Breakers, presented by FMSbonds, Inc., followed by a golf tournament at Trump International. Every year, thousands of soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan return as amputees, blind or with brain or spinal injuries. Despite their ailments, many of our returning heroes don't receive the necessary assistance to return to productive lives. A non-profit group, Vets Helping Heroes, was founded last year by Irwin Stovroff and Jerry Kramer, (neighbors, veterans and Palm Beach County residents). Their goal is to provide professionally trained service/guide dogs to our disabled heroes. “I have met those with the life-altering wounds at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C.,” said Kramer, president of Vets Helping Heroes. "They don’t seek pity, they simply want to return to life as productive citizens, with dignity, mobility and independence - characteristics so many of us, take for granted”. Specially trained dogs are vital to those struggling to return to normal life. These dogs include mobility dogs, anxiety dogs, sight-dogs and more. “It can cost up to $30,000 per dog, which includes training, delivery and working with the veteran and the dog. These assistance dogs are provided at absolutely no cost to the veterans, through Vets Helping Heroes’ Gift for Life program,” stated Kramer. A service dog’s life is usually about seven years. A replacement may be sent, when the dog can no longer provide service. There are currently 72 service dog applications for soldiers in need. The funds raised will fill approximately 40 of the pending requests. More than 300 people attended the gala November 9. Major General Gale S. Pollock (retired) served as the keynote speaker. A check for $1.25 million was presented to America’s Vet Dogs to fund training and provide dogs to disabled veterans. Silent and live auctions, including "The Nile Revisited", a 12 day, luxury excursion for two, donated by Travcoa to bring in additional funds. Powerhouse band provided live entertainment. The next day, at Trump International Golf Club, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office helicopter buzzed the course and dropped numbered balls for a closest-to-the-pin contest, won by Marge Zimmerman. Bang & Olufsen's CityPlace location offered a home theater system, while JM Lexus offered a 2009 ES350 for a hole in one. vetshelpingheroes.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disabled World (www.disabled-world.com) provides a large range of worldwide health and disability information. Coming Events related to health and disability can be posted at http://disabilityevents.disabled-world.com Disabled World also operates a worldwide Disability Community at http://community.disabled-world.com © Copyright 2009 - Disabled World |