This project saves the lives of many by empowering veterans, adults and children with disabilities to restore their freedom to live life through the training and use of their service dog. Our service dogs are commonly pulled from rescues and rescue groups to give them, as well as their handler, a new purpose and lease on life. We provide everything for our clients while in the program, covering all costs including equipment (such as dog bowls, vests, etc.), veterinary bills, food, etc.
Veterans and individuals with disabilities often isolate causing damage to their personal and professional relationships. It is reported that *20 veterans a day commit suicide after returning home from war. This is a number that does not account for our homeless veterans or those who don't identify themselves as a veteran after they return home from service. Additionally just under *2,000 dogs are euthanized each day in California. *Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs **Source: ASPCA
Since the first phone call Mary received from a Marine in crisis we have been able to help 350 clients restore their freedom to live life, rebuild relationships and re-engage with their community through the use of their service dog. Our project will provide an option to more individuals with disabilities from our 100+ waitlist reducing the number of suicides and euthanizations.
Our clients are not only able to mend personal relationships with friends and family, but have a new hope creating positive change on and impacting their communities. Our clients achieve life-long goals during and after graduating our program. We have had some clients go back to school or into public service work, others have become employed here at OFP giving back to those beginning their journey towards their new normal.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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