Supporting Our Wounded Heroes Now and Always

SMITHTOWN, N.Y., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2005, U.S. Army Sergeant Tony Larson was wounded in Iraq. He lost his right leg below the knee, and suffered mild traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. After spending 18 months in rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he was teamed with Tomme (Toe-me), the assistance dog that would change his life.  

Thanks to America's VetDogs, Larson says, "VetDog Tomme has been by my side helping me overcome barriers. He is a wonderful addition to my life. I couldn't do it without him."

On Thursday, March 25, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., at Four Food Studio, 515 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, N.Y., VetDogs will honor the newest veteran/VetDog teams at a reception hosted by one of its corporate supporters.

The media will have an opportunity to meet Sgt. Larson and other veterans and learn more about the positive impact VetDogs has had on their lives.

Even as the United States begins to reduce its presence in Iraq and draw down the troops, the work of America's VetDogs is just beginning. Thanks to advances in battlefield medicine, more soldiers than ever survive their combat injuries. Many of them will undergo a lengthy rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center – often 12 months or more. Today's injured soldier will need the services of a VetDog a year or two from now.

America's VetDogs partners these wounded heroes with specially trained assistance dogs to help them conquer the challenges they face as they regain their independence and mobility after their rehabilitation. VetDogs works with veterans of all eras, and with the military, to meet the needs of disabled veterans.

As word spreads of VetDogs and its innovative programs, the organization has experienced an incredible growth in demand for its specially trained service dogs. Today, there are over 200 wounded warriors waiting for their chance for the service dog that will change their lives.  

During an intense six-month training process, VetDogs are trained to help the veterans based on their individual needs. Guide dogs are trained to assist those who are visually impaired find and follow a clear path, maneuver around obstacles, and stop at curbs, while service dogs are taught to help veterans who have disabilities other than visual impairment. They may provide balance and stability support, and fetch and retrieval of dropped items. Combat stress relief dogs are deployed with combat stress control units in theater for active military personnel to offer emotional support and military therapy dogs provide physical therapy assistance at military or VA hospitals for wounded soldiers.

America's VetDogs is based in Smithtown, N.Y., and serves disabled veterans and active military personnel across the country and overseas. America's VetDogs® – The Veteran's K-9 Corps® is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation created by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.®, which has been serving blinded veterans since 1946.

SOURCE America's VetDogs