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.
Scott & Whiskey
In Philadelphia, we will honor Scott, 37, who was a Sergeant in the United States Army, where he served for 10 years. He graduated from K9s For Warriors in March 2013, where he was paired with Whiskey, a Labrador. Whiskey and her littermates were turned over to the LeonCountyAnimalCareCenter in Florida due to hard times for their owner. She was found and fostered by an amazing family who donated her to the K9s For Warriors Program. Whiskey is a sweet, sensitive girl who immediately fell in love with her warrior, Scott. The two of them play endless hours of fetch, Whiskey’s favorite game. Scott has shared that he was suicidal before coming to K9s For Warriors, but woke up on day four of the program and realized that that was no longer true thanks to Whiskey. This is true recovery!
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 makes its way to Philadelphia on Saturday November 16, 2013 at the Loews Hotel from 10AM-12Noon.
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