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Local heroes can benefit from Canine Companions for Veterans program

Meadville Tribune - 6/28/2017

June 28--"When I first got her she was no bigger than the palm of my hand," Alan Keller of Meadville said of the full-grown boxer he first met almost nine years ago.

Dink, aptly-named since she was the runt of the litter, had been rejected by her mother and desperately needed love and care. Nine years down the road and plenty of dog toys later, Keller believes it was Dink that did the saving.

Keller and Dink were paired through the efforts of Embracing Our Veterans, a nonprofit organization that provides outreach and referral services to veterans and their families in need throughout northwest Pennsylvania. Their story was part of the motivation for a new partnership between four local nonprofits that aims to provide the kind of companionship Keller and Dink have to more veterans in the area.

"She (Dink) came into Al's life when he didn't want to have a life," said Kim Lengling of Embracing Our Veterans. "She needed him and he needed her, but he always put her needs first."

Keller spoke of a time when he relied heavily on medication to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and anger management issues. Keller didn't speak of his nine years in the U.S. Army.

"I got help from the VA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) and Kim helped me get furniture," said Keller, who added he was homeless at one point in his life. "Dink saved me. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here.

"After I got Dink, I was able to get off all my meds," Keller said. "Every vet should have a dog. They could live a fuller life."

A fuller life for not only veterans, but also rescued dogs, is the rationale for the partnership between Embracing Our Veterans, All Paws Matter, Conneaut Lake Bark Park and Strayhaven Animal Shelter as they join to form Canine Companions for Veterans (CCV). The newly-formed organization aims to connect veterans with a forever-pet, according to Siera Gross, manager of Strayhaven Animal Shelter in Greenville.

Veterans interested in adopting a dog start by contacting Embracing Our Veterans and completing an initial application.

"They screen the applicant and then we get the information and call the potential adopter," Gross said. "We know our pets really well, so we choose some we think will fit together and we schedule meetings."

Veterans applying for the program do not need to fit the definition of disabled, but they must have been honorably discharged and be able to provide proof of need, according to the CCV brochure.

Gross said she is thrilled to be part of a beautiful program that brings new life to both rescued dogs and their new family.

"Our dogs are eager to love and this gives them a second chance at life despite what they may have been through," she said. "Some vets become emotionally detached and need that unconditional love that a dog can give. It's like the two are medicine for each other."

Once a veteran and a dog have been matched, the next step is covering the cost associated with adding a new member to the family. That's where All Paws Matter of Sharpsville comes in, according to Kim Burdick, who cofounded the organization last October with Ginny Neely.

All Paws Matter is a nonprofit that covers the cost of the pet adoption, according to Burdick. The organization fundraises in order to give back to the community by donating to emergency surgeries, medical issues, transporting, educating and altering the over-population of feral cats.

Burdick met Lengling at a jewelry sale fundraiser for the organization. Talk soon turned to the topic of CCV, and a partnership immediately formed, Burdick said.

Once veterans and dogs connect, the pair receive a complimentary full membership to the Conneaut Lake Bark Park. All requirements for membership must be completed. The Bark Park, located at 12704 Foust Road, is a 68-acre outdoor facility started in 2009 to enhance the well-being of dogs.

CCV will accept applications from veterans interested in adopting a dog beginning Saturday.

Any veteran or anyone who knows a veteran interested in a companion dog should call Lengling at 450-0622 or email embracingourveterans@gmail.com. Anyone interested in helping the program through a donation or sponsorship should call CCV at (724) 815-8217 or email Canines4vets@gmail.com.

Lorri Drumm can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at lorrid@meadvilletribune.com.

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(c)2017 The Meadville Tribune (Meadville, Pa.)

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