Page 10 - Talk of Tequesta - June '22

Page 10, The Talk Of Tequesta

in your CommuniTy

American Humane Encourages Public

To Support Country’s Veterans During

National Military Appreciation Month

May is National Military Appreciation Month, a time connection and you’re falling in love with the dog and
when Americans everywhere pay tribute to the dedicated the dog is falling in love with me,” Charles said. “The
service members who take a sacred oath to protect and training was getting the dog to connect with me, and,
serve our country. However, for many veterans, the return at the same time, it was me connecting with Shiloh and
home from war can be yet another daunting battle as they building that trust between each other.”
nurse wounds that might not be visible on the surface. Service dogs are an invaluable asset to veterans who
Tragically, 184 veterans a day are diagnosed with post- have sustained trauma, but there are significant obstacles
traumatic stress, and 20 take their own lives as a result. to receiving one. Properly training a dog so they perform
South Florida nonprofit, American Humane aims to their needed tasks and remain calm and focused in public
help these heroes with its Pups4Patriots program, which areas can be both expensive and time-consuming, with
finds dogs in need of forever homes and trains them to costs which can skyrocket upwards of $30,000. And
become service dogs for veterans across the country at even when cost isn’t an obstacle, wait times can still be
absolutely no cost to the veterans themselves. prohibitively long.
Service dogs can transform the lives of these veterans Forever friends: Pups4Patriots graduates, Charles and his Through the Pups4Patriots program, American Humane
and give them a renewed sense of purpose. Research service dog, Shiloh. Photo credit: American Humane provides no-cost service dogs to veterans in both a timely
shows that specially trained service dogs can reduce stress and efficient manner. The Pups4Patriots program, and its
and anxiety levels in veterans while easing reintegration a service dog, he leapt into action and decided that he was training of teams like Charles and Shiloh, is made possible
into social settings and restoring confidence to those the latest patriot in need of a pup. through donor support.
managing traumatic brain injuries or post-traumatic stress. “My wife likes to go more places than I’m comfortable “No matter what your limitations are, no matter what
Since the program began, American Humane has going, so being able to do more stuff with her will be a your physical or mental issues may be, a service dog will
graduated 70 teams, including this year’s latest duo: great thing,” Charles said. “Most of the time I tell her to be the best thing for you,” Charles said. “It will help break
Charles and Shiloh from Brevard County, Fla. find a friend and just go, because I’m not much for going you out of that shell that you’ve put yourself in over time.”
Charles was deployed to Iraq and served in the Army to places where there are crowds and lots of people.” For more information about the Pups4Patriots program,
from 2005 to 2009. After ending his service, the Florida Once accepted into the program, Charles was paired visit americanhumane.org/initiative/pts-service-dogs-for-
native struggled to adapt back into civilian life with his with a male Labrador retriever named Shiloh, and the two veterans and watch youtu.be/t1vTwfRcT2I.
family, whether it was successfully falling asleep at night worked with an American Humane trainer to complete About American Humane
or joining his wife in attending a crowded event. a “boot camp” that was a little furrier than the one he American Humane is the country’s first national
When he saw a Pups4Patriots program video on attended in the Army. humane organization, founded in 1877. For more
YouTube while conducting general research into acquiring “Throughout the week there’s even more of a information, please visit americanhumane.org.

Building Community For A Good Cause

On an overcast Saturday in Tequesta, more than 500
friends and neighbors gathered at the First Presbyterian
Church for its first ever Spring
Fling. “With the world on
lockdown for the past two years,
it is finally time to celebrate
community again,” said Pastor
Kathy Dain. “With the help of our
neighbors, we were able to put
on a fantastic event and brighten
up each other’s day despite the
not-so-sunny conditions. It was event offered face painting, pony rides and falconry he went straight for a certain woman and clung to her until
great to see everyone’s smiling demonstrations for the kids while adults browsed among she decided that Buddy found his furrever home.”
faces as we came together as a booths offering craft jewelry, home-baked goods, and the “It was a ‘coming out’ event in more ways than one,” said
community.” The family-friendly church’s signature strawberry jam. Pastor Kathy Dain. “We had to cancel our annual Strawberry
One of the highlights was a mobile kennel of canine Festival twice during the COVID pandemic, so this was
visitors from the Big Dog Rescue Ranch and a chance a chance to welcome back neighbors, have a good time
for families to adopt a new “best friend” on the spot. “It together and showcase many of the activities and projects
produced a lot of heartwarming moments,” said Regina underway at our church.” The event was a great success
Young. “I still think about a very shy dog named Buddy, and raised over $1,000 for the Real-Life Children’s Ranch
who had to be coaxed out of his cage. But once he emerged, of Okeechobee that supports children in need.

You’re Retired

Your Money Isn’t.

To learn why consolidating your
retirement accounts to Edward Jones
makes sense, contact your Edward
Jones nancial advisor today.

Sally S Stahl, AAMS® www.edwardjones.com
Financial Advisor M e m b P I S r e C
1851 W Indiantown Rd Ste 106
Jupiter, FL 33458
561-748-7600