GlobalGiving.org: War Vets Heal With the Help of Shelter Dogs

Meaningful Holiday Giving

Cathy King — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:22:59 GMT

soldier and dog

As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift for friends and family can become a chore. Most all of us have plenty of "stuff", this year give something meaningful, make a major difference in the life of a veteran suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. A gift of unconditional love, companionship, life, the gift of a companion dog. You will also be saving the life of a dog close to seeing their final days at an animal shelter for no reason other than they ended up in a crowded shelter.

Starting November 23rd and ending December 31st, Global Giving donors can make a donation to this project as a gift to friends and family? GlobalGiving will send the gift recipient an email, print-at-home, or physical tribute card.
This holiday season, they’re giving away $10,000 in bonus awards to the top 15 projects with the most donors who make donations as gifts.

Please let people know how much you care, give them a gift that will let them know they're making a difference.

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back." - Maya Angelou

Happy Holidays!

Cathy King

Links:

Canines With a Cause Website

Veterans Day-Please Don't Forget Our Vets!

Cathy King — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:17:28 GMT

shelter dogs

Just weeks after bringing home his dog, Brandon Allen, an Iraq war veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was able to cut in half his dose of anxiety and sleep medications. The terrible dreams at night and suicidal thoughts that filled his brain ended, he finally felt safe and at peace with himself.

This is a story we often hear, vets who can finally go back into a grocery store for the first time in years, ride the bus and start working on a new life. The dogs that give them this gift are not just pets; they are lifesaving emotional support animals trained to help their people leave the battlefield behind.

Up to 31% of soldiers returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan experience depression or PTSD that can affect their jobs, relationships and daily lives according to a new study by Army researchers. For as many as 14% of these veterans, the depression or PTSD causes major problems in their daily lives including alcohol abuse and aggressive behavior.

Canines With a Cause will continue to expand our programs for veterans and their families, we will continue to rescue healthy, adoptable dogs from death row in shelters and train them for their new homes, we will also continue to be grateful for your ongoing financial support to continue our important work.

We ask that you take the time on Veterans Day to thank any veterans you know and maybe even some you don't. Make a phone call, send an email, stop someone in uniform on the street and let them know how much you appreciate the sacrifice they have made for our country.

Thank You,

Cathy King

Dug and Anthony

The Stray Who Saved the Day!

Cathy King — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:19:21 GMT

Ranger training with his new partner

As I walked the shelter looking at dogs for the "Canines With a Cause" program, I noticed a medium sized white dog who did not take his eyes off of me. He was smiling and wagging his tail, asking me to come over and say "hello".

Knowing this shelter kills over 18,000 companion animals per year, this is a very difficult task, making a choice on who will live or die is not an easy one. I knew this guy had to come with me. We had very little room left at the facility for big dogs, we just had to make this work somehow. He went into boarding for a few weeks, was neutered and vaccinated. He arrived at the facility dirty, stinky and happy as ever.

We had a veteran looking for a new service dog, his dog had recently passed away and he was ready for a new companion. Dennis had lost a leg from the knee down in Vietnam, he was a dog trainer in the army and had quite a bit of experience training dogs, a star student! Dennis asked to see the new dog I had spoke to him about, the young one with the big smile. We knew little about him with the exception of his amazing temperament.

The dog showed no fear of the wheelchair or Dennis, he kissed and leaned up against him. He was very attentive in class and did well for his first day. We knew it was a match! Ranger is now living with Dennis who welcomed him home with the much needed bath. They will begin formal training this Thursday and we're sure they will achieve service dog status in no time.

This is just one of many stories made possible by your contributions. The medical expenses to get these dogs ready their new homes is high, as are the ongoing issues we assist the veterans with for their important companions. On October 19, GlobalGiving.org is matching at 30% all online donations up to $1,000 per donor per project! There is $100,000 available in matching funds starting at 12:01 am EDT. They will match until 11:59pm EDT or until matching funds run out. This is a great way for you to help us continue our "Happy Tails" and grow your generous donations.

Thank you for your ongoing support, from Dennis, Ranger and all of those who have a better quality of life (two and four legged) because of you.

Best Wishes,

Cathy King

the smiling shelter dog

Women Veterans and Their Special Dogs

Cathy King — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:58:44 GMT

Cody and Ale

When most people think of veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), especially dating back to the Vietnam War, they think of men. Men on the front line watching their comrades suffer and die for their country. The voices of the women whose lives have been changed forever due to traumatic experience in the military are not always heard.

Over 61% of women in the military report being sexually harassed by their own troops, this includes everything from verbal harassment to rape. The scars from this abuse last a lifetime, some of the women develop serious disorders which include PTSD, agoraphobia and depression.

Over half of the veterans currently training shelter dogs in the Canines With a Cause (CWAC) program are women, two of the participants date back to the Vietnam War. These women are finding freedom and comfort from their four legged companions. They feel safe leaving their homes and can actually stand in line in a grocery store without being paranoid, small things we all take for granted.

Thanks to the support of donors like you, CWAC is able to pay for the training of these special dogs as well as making sure the dogs are healthy, have been altered and are current on vaccinations.

CWAC is also currently working on a program with the local VA Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, whereas we will train dogs currently living with veterans who need good behavior skills to accompany their people to the facility for doctor appointments. This is critical for some who have a difficult time leaving their home without their constant companion.

All of this would not be possible without your support.

Thank you from the veterans and their special dogs!

Cathy King

Director

Canines With a Cause Foundation

Angel

Fiona

People Saving Dogs or Dogs Saving People

Cathy King — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:56:14 GMT

Dan and Cody

Can a shelter dog really change a person's life? We see it happen every day at the Canines With a Cause facility. For veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depressed and abandoned by society, dogs give them unconditional love and a reason to get up in the morning.

Thanks to your ongoing support, Canines With a Cause is able to not only give people in need dogs, we also give them training so their constant companion can accompany them to doctor appointments and other public places. The dogs do more than just help veterans through anxiety attacks, they help them sleep at night and give them a purpose.

Your Global Giving funds are used for training, feeding and making sure the dogs are healthy. In the shelter they were just another dog, but to these veterans they are a reason to live.

Canines With a Cause was recognized by Select Health, one of the nation's top-ranked integrated health systems, as one of 25 Utah nonprofits that work to improve wellness in their communities. More than 200 organizations applied.

Thank You,

Cathy King

Luis and Charlie

Miranda and Hope

Cathy King at Select Health Luncheon

How One Shelter Dog Changed a Life!

Cathy King — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:40:44 GMT

Oliver smiling although he is very ill

Your ongoing support for the "Canines With a Cause" (CWAC) program has made the difference in the lives of rescued shelter dogs, our volunteers and adopters. This story is one of many, this story belongs to you, our donors:

Oliver came to the shelter as a stray, a scared, emaciated little Border Collie mix. He waited, along with all of the other dogs, for the person who never took the time to find him and bring him home.

When Skye Poitras, Salt Lake City, Utah, team leader for Best Friends' Community Training Partners Program and Sherry Woodard, Best Friends behavior consultant came across Oliver while evaluating dogs for the CWAC program, they almost did not see him. He was curled in a ball hiding in a corner, the large dog he had been placed in the small kennel with had been biting him and he was severely stressed out and scared.

Oliver passed his behavior and temperament tests with flying colors, but as it turns out, he was very sick. He had developed a bad infection from the bite wounds and his poor health from lack of nutrition and stress had made it worse. Off to the vet he went and although he missed the first two weeks of basic training, Oliver made up for lost time, he was a dog with a purpose...

Shea is a local young man who lives with Cerebral palsy. He is outgoing, witty and enjoys outdoor activities such as downhill skiing, his wheel chair and lack of mobility do not slow him down. He was looking for a companion who also loved the outdoors, could help him retrieve items and straighten him in the chair when needed. Oliver was just the dog, unconditional love included.

Oliver is currently finishing his basic training and ready to enter a foster home where he will continue to train one-on-one. He will learn commands specific to Shea's needs, increase his vocabulary and skills like pulling and opening doors. He will also train with Shea and begin "overnight sleepovers". Soon Oliver will be working at Home Depot with Shea, Border Collie's love jobs!

Our adopters are not the only ones who benefit from the dogs. Our volunteer trainers/handlers are not only learning how to train dogs, they are also giving back to the community. This is beneficial to the veterans who are not ready to take on the responsibility of having a dog but like being around them, dogs are great stress relievers. The vets are also learning a trade and getting out into the community, they are training dogs for people like Shea, a win for everyone.

On March 16, GlobalGiving.org is matching at 30% all online donations up to $1,000 per donor per project.
In addition to the 30% match, GlobalGiving is offering a $1,000 bonus to the project that raises the most funds that day and a $1,000 bonus to the project that receives donations from the most individual donors! This is a wonderful opportunity to continue your support for the "Canines With a Cause" program.

Please take the time to watch the attached news video and see our work in progress, meet Oliver, Shea, our volunteers and dogs.

Thank You,

Cathy

Shea and Oliver

Oliver

Links:

Canines featured on Fox TV

New Dogs, New Facility for "Canines With a Cause"!

Cathy King — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:35:53 GMT

Charlie

"Canines With a Cause" is excited to have 5 new dogs in our training program, Molly, a beautiful little Pit Bull Terrier, Duke, a Black Lab blend, Oliver, a very sweet Border Collie, Cody, our honor roll Aussie Mix and Charlie, a goofy, tap dancing Lab blend. They have been in training for 6 weeks and are doing exceptionally well, Charlie and Oliver already have potential homes.

CWAC is also excited to have a new home at the "Gateway to Canine Partnerships" facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Gateway has been training service dogs since 2004, we are happy to be sharing their space. We will miss the Friends of Animals (FOAU) Ranch and our wonderful Summit County volunteers, we are currently working on a program that will allow CWAC to have a presence in Summit County once again soon. More to come...

Tomorrow, March 3rd we will be having an open house for our veterans, volunteers and others interested in joining our program. If you are located in the Salt Lake /Park City area, please stop in. The Gateway facility is located at 40 North 800 West, Salt Lake City, Utah. The open house will be held from 10am to noon.

Cody

Oliver

A New Year and New Dogs for the "Canines With a Cause" Program

Cathy King — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 04:30:25 GMT

Canines on the trolley

With tears of joy in our eyes we said good-bye to little Jack on Christmas Eve. Jack was one of the original "Canines With a Cause" in the first phase of our program. Phase one was beyond our expectations, it has been an amazing experience for our group, people and dogs. I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to everyone who made the successful beginning of this program possible; our generous donors, the dedicated volunteers who helped us train the dogs and took them out on field trips including a trolley ride on Main St. in Park City, our trainer Skye Potrais who taught us that positive reinforcement works not only for training dogs, but in our interactions with other people. Patrick Mahoney, our safety net for the veterans when they needed someone to talk to and support in their day to day lives.

Some of the dogs will continue training with their new people to be Psychiatric Service Dogs and others will just be constant loving companions, giving their people a reason to get up in the morning and unconditional love. We have learned so much and are now ready for Phase two.

Tomorrow we will be picking 5 dogs up from Salt Lake County Animal Services in Salt Lake City, UT. The dogs have been spayed or neutered and passed medical check ups, they have also had behavior assessments. The training will once again be held at the Friends of Animals Utah Rescue and Rehab Ranch in Summit County, Utah. Everyone is excited to meet the new dogs and start training.

We are very excited to announce that Best Friends Animals Society's Community Training Partners will be taking over all aspects of the training program for "Canines With a Cause". We are excited to have them on board, they bring knowledge, experience and talent to the program.

Thank you again for your ongoing support, we are looking forward to expanding the "Canines With a Cause" program to other areas in need this year and begin training in local correctional facilities. More to come....

Happy New Year!

Cathy King

Good-bye Jack!

Jack in training

Training for the "Canines With a Cause" program begins!

Cathy King — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 22:05:32 GMT

Fiona

It has been a very exciting past few weeks at the Friends of Animals Utah Rescue and Rehab Ranch. The fall weather has been perfect for the Canines With a Cause (CWAC) currently residing at the Ranch for outdoor walking and enjoying peace and quiet. The dogs are entering their third week of training and they are all doing wonderfully. Our volunteers are working with the dogs five days a week and the veterans are coming to participate each week taking their dogs to the next level of training.

The bonding has also began with several of the veterans who have brought their families along to meet and work with the dogs. The CWAC dogs will soon be ready to make home visits and also spend time at the Veterans Hospital in Salt Lake City cheering up patients and meeting new people.

Meet the dogs:

Fiona is a beautiful little girl who ended up at Salt Lake County Animals Services. We can't understand why as she is sweet and soft, her fur is like velvet. She is one of our top students and will be a very loyal and loving dog for her lucky family.

Joey is a little cattle dog who somehow found himself in a shelter. He is very smart and very hug-able, he will be a wonderful companion for someone who loves to spend time outdoors hiking as he is a working breed. He is also great at just being loved.

Jack is Mr. Personality, very busy. We think he is a mix of Jack Russell and Basset Hound, whatever mix he is works, as he is as cute as they come. He loves to play, one of his favorite games is being pulled around on the floor by Doug. He will also be a great outdoors and indoors companion. Jack was left in a drop box at a local shelter.

Little Miss Dixie is a southern charmer. She is a little older and wiser than the rest of the group, sweet and mellow. Dixie is a Shepard mix and would be happiest with a couch potato person, just snuggling. We can't understand how anyone could have left her behind.

Doug is the life of the party, very handsome and playful. He comes on like a dork but we know better, he's one smart dog! He has already stolen the heart of his soon to be family, lucky boy!

Cassidy the black lab is another sweet mellow girl looking for a family to love and take care of her. In return, she will do the same, she was the shelter favorite.

Thank you for your support for this important program, more updates and photos will be coming soon....

Joey

Jack

Dixie

Doug

Cassidy

Volunteers training at the Ranch

Dogs4Vets Becomes "Canines With a Cause"

Cathy King — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:04:24 GMT

On Thursday, September 16th, eight dogs will be rescued from Salt Lake City shelters and come to the Friends of Animals Rescue and Rehab Ranch to meet their new prospective families. War veterans and their families will meet the dogs and get ready to begin training for their new furry companions. The "Canines With a Cause Program" will begin next week! New statistics from the Veterans Affairs Department reveal that one in every four veterans will return home with some form of Brain Trauma or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide rates for veterans are higher than they have ever been. Veterans and their therapists report drastic reductions in P.T.S.D. symptoms and in reliance on medication after receiving a dog. Please check back next week to meet the dogs, see photos from the open house and meet our veterans in the kick off program.

War Vets Heal With the Help of Shelter Dogs

Cathy King — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:26:58 GMT

Ranch Facility

Since the project's inception on the Global Giving network in March 2010, the Dogs4Vets program has raised $8,265 online with a matching grant from a donor for a total of $20,765. We are so grateful to all of you who have given so generously—thank you! The program is scheduled to officially kick off the third week in July at the new Friends of Animals Rescue and Rehab Ranch located in Summit County, Utah. The 16,000 square foot facility will be celebrating its grand opening on June 26th and we are blessed to have such a wonderful space for our dogs to stay while they are in our program. We will launch our 6-8 week pilot program with 4 shelter dogs, 4 veterans from the Salt Lake City Veterans Administration, a clinical psychologist, a dog trainer and a number of volunteers to help care for the dogs during their stay at the Ranch. We are very hopeful that the pilot program will also allow us to train a few volunteers and some other dog trainers so that with the next phase of the program we will be able to rescue even more dogs from local shelters and match them with veterans with PTSD. We already have an amazing amount of interest from the community and anticipate that the number of veterans interested in having the unconditional love and support of a furry companion is going to be overwhelming. It is our goal to eventually take the program into youth correctional facilities. Our trainers will provide the education and support necessary for the incarcerated youth to care for and train the dogs during their stay in the facility. When the dogs are able to achieve “good canine citizen” status they will then move on to find their forever home with one of our veterans. This planned extension of our program will allow the prisoners to experience the joy, compassion and sense of responsibility that can come from rehabilitating and training a dog, as well as learn valuable skills that can help them find a job upon release.

shelter dogs

Links: