Armstrong has paired four veterans with medical service dogs through the company’s Healing Heroes program.
The program started on Veterans Day 2016, with a goal of raising enough funds to donate five service dogs to qualifying disabled veterans. More than two years later, Armstrong has raised enough funds to donate 11 service dogs, with six of those dogs already paired with veterans.
Four of those veterans just returned from the Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs facility in Williston, Florida.
The latest four veterans to be paired include Bryan and service dog Fahrny (Wadsworth, OH), Lisa and Yogi (Hamlin, WV), Harvey and Rosa (Austintown, OH) and Samara and Angel (Scottdale, PA). The veterans spent time training at the Guardian Angels headquarters and learning how to live with their new companions.
“It is very satisfying to see these veterans coming back with smiles on their faces and starting their ‘new normal’ at home,” said Jeff Ross, Armstrong President. “When Armstrong committed to this cause in 2016, these were the moments we were most excited to see.”
The training and pairing expense for each service dog is about $22,000. The Healing Heroes program has raised more than $245,000 to date.
Stats show 22 veterans suffering from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and Traumatic Brian Injury commit suicide every day. According to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, there have been no reported suicides of veterans paired with a service dog.
Armstrong continues to raise money for their Healing Heroes program. To donate or for more information, visit ArmstrongOneWire.com/HealingHeroes.
