Exciting! Law and Order’s Danny Pino has confirmed to attend our September 30, 2013 benefit to introduce our K9s For Warriors graduate!
BREAKING NEWS! If anyone watched the X Factor – you will have witnessed the former subway singer – Denise Weeks! This beautiful soulful voice will be singing her heart away this Monday morning to celebrate K9s For Warriors!
Every 65 minutes a veteran commits suicide according to the Department of Veterans Affairs; most suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). This horrible epidemic is among the 2.4 million veterans and active duty members returning home – 184 new cases are diagnosed every single day! K9s For Warriors rescues dogs prior to being euthanized and trains them to be service dogs for Veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. This program is 100% proven, transparent and successful! 94% of every dollar donated to K9s For Warriors goes directly to the Veteran & service dogs. Only 6% is used on fundraising and overhead. Shari Duval, the Founder and Executive Director of K9s For Warriors doesn’t receive a salary.
In 1999, Wendy Diamond founded Animal Fair Media and is a pioneer in the pet industry; merging celebrity, pop culture and animal rescue. She changed the face of the pet market and animal rescue world forever. Since she launched Animal Fair Media, the number of animals euthanized annually has dropped by 58 percent, from 12 million to 4 million this past year.
After learning the troubling statistic that every 65 minutes a veteran struggling with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) commits suicide, Diamond made the decision to embark on a journey to help veterans suffering with PTSD and pair them with rescued service dogs. Diamond commented, “Veterans have fought selflessly for our freedom and it’s time that the two and four-legged roll over and fight for them.”
Animal Fair Media and Wendy have set off on The Bark Business ten-city national tour. This tour is uniquely exciting as Wendy will be raising awareness and donations for the K9s For Warriors. The ten city nationwide tour will promote a positive work environment, with both small and large businesses joining together for social good by supporting K9s For Warriors!
Wendy Diamond has dedicated her new book, How To Train Your Boss to Roll Over, to all the veterans who work tirelessly and selflessly defending our freedoms. The book is an entertaining and instructional manual threaded with Wendy’s trademark levity and wit that reinterprets successful dog-training strategies for the workplace. On the tour, Wendy will encourage everyone in the work world to engage in social good and make a difference by supporting our veterans through K9s For Warriors.
Steven and Torii
In New York we will honor Steven who was paired with Torii. Steven, 34, is a E5 ranking soldier who served the Army for 4 and a half years, from 2003-2006. Steven served for two years in Afghanistan, receiving a Purple Heart for his service and then went on to serve 2 more ears in Iraq. Stevn is paired with Torii, 2 1/2 year old female lab mix. Torii was originally owned by a soldier who deployed and never came back for her. She was donated to K9s by the man who fostered her. Torii is a complete sweetheart and a volunteer favorite. Torii’s name was chosen by her sponsor, the Lieutenant Dennis Zilinsky Memorial Fund. The Fund was established by a gold star family in honor of their son Denny, who was killed in Iraq in 2005. “Torii” was the name of the unit Denny served with in Iraq. Torii the dog is affectionate, loving, and unbelievably sweet. She loves with all her heart and is happy to work.
Steven comes from a family of heroes; his father was a Vietnam Veteran, his brother Jonny is currently a Captain in the U.S. Army and is serving in Afghanistan, and his wife Melissa also served in Afghanistan as an Air Traffic Controller.
Steven joined the Army in 2002 and was part of the Infantry at the 10th Mountain Devision. He cleared houses, helped secure villages and provided security during Iraq’s first free election. He spent many hours training the Iraqi soldiers so that they were enabled to defend themselves when he and his fellow comrades departed. “I eventually suffered from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as a result of enduring IED explosions, but the good news is I survived!” says Steven.
Even having endured such a great deal, Steven manages to stay hopeful, and with such a positive outlook; “PTSD is painful. Every day requires constant conditioning. I suffer from constant isolation and anxiety as well as headaches and nightmares. With that being said, I consider myself lucky that I got to come home. I feel even luckier that I was accepted into the K9s For Warriors program”. Steven adds, “I am most looking forward to participating in more outdoor activities, buying a family home with my wife Melissa, and starting a new life with my new ‘Battle Buddy’.”
Andrea and Jetta
We will also honor Andrea Mixon who was paired with Jetta. Andrea served in the U.S. Army from August 06 until March 08 and was honorably discharged as a PFC.
Thanks to our generous sponsors, the tour will 100% benefit K9s For Warriors. Ellen DeGeneres’ pet food company, Halo, Purely for Pets knows that natural nutrition is imperative for service dogs (and all dogs) because it ensures a long, happy life with their parents, and are on board with supporting the K9s For Warriors Bark Business Benefit Tour! American Express Open has partnered with us to empower and support Veteran small business owners. The Loews and Omni pet-friendly hotels are graciously providing the space for the Bark Business Breakfast, so we can gather, raise money, and get the bark out about K9s For Warriors!
Please watch this video to understand the importance of your donation:)
The Bark Business Breakfast rushes into New York on Monday September 30, 2013 at the Omni Berkshire Hotel from 8-10AM.
Please donate or attend this wonderful benefit in New York! Please join us in supporting a veteran with PTSD and a rescued service dog in New York. . The cost for you and your patriotic pooch to attend this barking event is $116.00; a donation towards K9s For Warriors. You can donate as little as $10, $50, $100, $2,000, or become the honorary chair in New York for $10,000! This program is 100% transparent, and 96 cents of every dollar benefits the veterans! Get involved by barking about it and donating here.
Leave a Reply