Pups4Patriots – Giving love on both ends of the leash

CAPEHART
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I recently had the pleasure to attend the Pups4Patriots Gala at Eau Palm Resort in Manalapan.  It is always a pleasure to meet up with any dog, and I can never resist the opportunity to do so.  What can be better than dogs, you say?  Dogs that are trained to assist veterans across the country who are dealing with PTSD, or any type of brain disorder that hinders the veteran from leading a more normal life.  When you put those 2 special people (and dogs are the best ‘people’ around), you create a miracle combination.  A bond that cannot be replaced.  Every year I cover an American Humane event, I first kiss each dog and tell them they are saving a life.  Then, I shake the hand of the veteran who will receive that dog because he knows his life will be saved.

American Humane devotes their resources and their hearts and souls to make certain that every single dog that is professionally trained will serve a life that served his or her life to defend our country.

This event proved to be a record-breaker for American Humane and you will soon understand why.


American Humane, the country’s oldest national humane organization, along with Palm Beach’s leading philanthropist Lois Pope, raised over $1.3 million on Jan. 24 at the Pups4Patriots™ Gala Celebration held at the Eau Palm Beach Resort.

Pups4Patriots is a national initiative that rescues dogs in need of forever homes and trains them to become life-saving service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). There are 18-24 month waiting lists for service dogs, and the training process is time-consuming and expensive, costing as much as $30,000 per dog. The amount of funds raised at this American Humane event means even more dogs can be trained to save lives of our nation’s warriors facing the invisible wounds of war.


Lives will be changed forever as vets chat with their new pups

Photo Credit:  Ellen Eichelbaum – Splash Magazines Worldwide

“This record result demonstrates the overwhelming support and generosity of our corporate sponsors and individual donors, and their commitment to a worthy cause,” said American Humane President and CEO Robin Ganzert, Ph.D. “They are champions who are helping incredible heroes–veterans and dogs – on both ends of the leash.”

Lois-Pope-and-Dr.-Robin-Ganzert – Photo Credit:  Capehart

American Humane extended its gratitude to Lois Pope, Hallmark Channel, K-9 Courage Zoetis Petcare, and Coleman Natural Foods for supporting Pups4Patriots.  “They are rising to the challenge to help America’s heroes when they need it most,” said Ganzert.  And in addition to the support of the corporations supporting this life-saving veterans’ initiative, many of Palm Beach’s generous philanthropists joined forces with American Humane to provide for needed program resources.   In fact, more than 91 cents* of every dollar raised goes directly to programs at American Humane, which earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars.

Inspirational Chair Lois Pope is the founder of the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs at American Humane, which offers programs to support our nation’s service men and women, veterans and military animals. Celebrity and VIP speakers at the glamorous gala celebration included American Humane Board Members Naomi Judd and Rear Admiral USN (Ret.) Thomas Kearney. Attendees danced under the ballroom lights to the famed Alex Donner Orchestra.

The evening’s highlight was the graduation of five new Pups4Patriots veteran and dog teams who are starting new lives together thanks to American Humane and its supporters. They are: United States Air Force veteran John Matthews and service dog Sasha; United States Air Force veteran Dorothy Dow and service dog Annie; United States Army Sergeant First Class Jose Villalva and service dog Starr; United States Army veteran Cassandra Langr and service dog Cappy; and United States Marine Corps veteran Jeff DeYoung and service dog Charlie.

Pups4Patriots is a national initiative that rescues dogs in need of forever homes and trains them to become life-saving service dogs for veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). There are 18-24 month waiting lists for service dogs, and the training process is time-consuming and expensive, costing as much as $30,000 per dog. The amount of funds raised at this American Humane event means even more dogs can be trained to save lives of our nation’s warriors facing the invisible wounds of war.

“This record result demonstrates the overwhelming support and generosity of our corporate sponsors and individual donors, and their commitment to a worthy cause,” said American Humane President and CEO Robin Ganzert, Ph.D. “They are champions who are helping incredible heroes–veterans and dogs–on both ends of the leash.”

American Humane extended its gratitude to Lois Pope, Hallmark Channel, K-9 Courage Zoetis Petcare, and Coleman Natural Foods for supporting Pups4Patriots.  “They are rising to the challenge to help America’s heroes when they need it most,” said Ganzert.  And in addition to the support of the corporations supporting this life-saving veterans’ initiative, many of Palm Beach’s generous philanthropists joined forces with American Humane to provide for needed program resources.   In fact, more than 91 cents* of every dollar raised goes directly to programs at American Humane, which earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars.

Naomi Judd, Larry Strickland – Photo Credit:  Capehart

Inspirational Chair Lois Pope is the founder of the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs at American Humane, which offers programs to support our nation’s service men and women, veterans and military animals. Celebrity and VIP speakers at the glamorous gala celebration included American Humane Board Members Naomi Judd and Rear Admiral USN (Ret.) Thomas Kearney. Attendees danced under the ballroom lights to the famed Alex Donner Orchestra.

Pups presented to their new owners – love on both ends of the leash.   Photo Credit:  Capehart

The evening’s highlight was the graduation of five new Pups4Patriots veteran and dog teams who are starting new lives together thanks to American Humane and its supporters. They are: United States Air Force veteran John Matthews and service dog Sasha; United States Air Force veteran Dorothy Dow and service dog Annie; United States Army Sergeant First Class Jose Villalva and service dog Starr; United States Army veteran Cassandra Langr and service dog Cappy; and United States Marine Corps veteran Jeff DeYoung and service dog Charlie.

American Humane, which has offices in Palm Beach, Los Angeles and headquarters in Washington, D.C., will host another Palm Beach event on Feb. 25 to kick off its national Hero Dog Awards campaign.

  Herb Krauss, Cassandra with service dog Cappy, and Rita Krauss

  Photo Credit:  Capehart

About American Humane

American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. The organization has been active in Florida for more than half a century, saving, sheltering and aiding animals caught in wildfires, floods and disasters include Hurricanes Andrew, Ivan, Frances, Camille, Irma, and Michael. American Humane’s famed animal rescue team and one of its giant 50-foot American Rescue Vehicles funded by philanthropist Lois Pope are based permanently here in the community, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice whenever animals are in need. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org or call 866-242-1877.

*Audited financials 6/30/2018

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