Support Dogs, Inc. (SDI) recently received a $30,000 grant from The Boeing Company to benefit its Psychiatric Service Dog program, which helps provide dogs to military veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It costs SDI $15,644 to raise one assistance dog, and to date two dogs have been placed with post-9/11 veterans.
“Boeing is deeply committed to supporting members of the military, their families and veterans through important programs like Support Dogs’ Psychiatric Service Dog program, which significantly improves the quality of life for individuals coping with the effects of PTSD,” said Katie Bergh, director of Boeing’s Global Corporate Citizenship organization in St. Louis. “We recognize the difference these trained dogs can make in helping veterans with disabilities return to a normal lifestyle, as well as the important role that program coordinators play in ensuring a successful outcome for the dog-handler participants and educating the public on the program’s importance.”
Support Dogs, Inc. is a national non-for-profit organization that offers dignity, hope and independence by providing highly skilled service dogs to individuals with disabilities and uniquely trained dogs to serve the community. Founded in 1981, the organization provides many services including an Assistance Dog program which matches people with various disabilities with a canine partner, a pet visitation therapy dog program called TOUCH (Therapy of Unique Canine Helpers), and a Paws For Reading program that places dogs in school. Support Dogs is a proud member of the United Way of Greater St. Louis.
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For more information, call (314) 997-2325 or visit their website at www.supportdogs.org.