Purple Heart Recipient Gets New Service Dog In Joliet

JOLIET, IL — On Monday afternoon, CEO Mike Tellerino of K9s For Veterans and Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy had a ceremony to present a new service dog named Sierra to seven-time Purple Heart recipient Jim “Red” Reichert.

The event took place at the D'Arcy Motors D'Arcy Buick-GMC dealership on Joliet's Essington Road. K9s for Veterans has training facilities at the Joliet Electric building on Doris Avenue, and the other location is in Chicago.

Tellerino said this was the 136th service dog that his organization has trained and donated to a military veteran in the organization's seven-year existence.

"The veteran trains with the dog," Tellerino explained. "This dog was rescued from a shelter. We pay 100 percent for the food and medical for the life of the dog."

The K9s for Veterans mission is to aid veterans with transitioning back to civilian life post their military service and help with conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder with the assistance of trained service dogs.

Red served 11 years in the United States Marine Corp. He was shot 11 times and ended up on a disability retirement. He suffered through 108 surgeries due to gunshot wounds he sustained during his service in Vietnam from 1968-1970.

Over the past year, Red was diagnosed with Agent Orange Bladder Cancer. Red was widowed three years ago after his wife Dorothy died from complications of Covid. Red and Dorothy were married for 50 years. His previous service dog for the past 11 years, Juliette, passed away in July.

During Monday's presentation, one of the dog's handlers asked Red what he thought of Sierra.

"I think she's good-looking," he remarked.

Sierra is about 2 years old, Tellerino noted.

Sierra's handler gave her several freeze-dried liver treats to get her to sit and remain calm for Monday's press conference.

Red said he lives south of Huntley in Kane County.