How many of these four facts
did you know?
Fact #1 - Thousands of veterans come home from the battlefield disabled either physically or mentally. In fact Veteran suicide is an epidemic in our country. Today more than 20 veterans a day, 600 a month and over 7,000 a year take their own lives!
Fact #2 - There is a very simple solution to reduce this epidemic. Research by Purdue University has shown that a service dog partnered with a veteran reduces hyper-vigilance, night tremors, outbursts of anger and cortisol levels, the very symptoms that create the epidemic.
Fact #3 - Most service dog organizations do not have a breeding program. Even Worse, a study conducted on dogs obtained from shelters found that only 1 out of 8 or 12.5% were successfully partnered. This leads to a very long wait for the veteran needing a service dog. In fact it can take three years and sometimes more!
Fact #4 - About 75% of the Project2Heal pups donated to partner organizations are successfully placed with a veteran. Consider the reduced waiting time and cost savings achieved if Project2Heal could become the sole provider of pups for each of their partner organizations. These exceptional results reflect the foundation stock of the Project2Heal breeding program which came from Ms. Sally Bell, arguably the top breeder of Labrador retrievers over the past 5 decades along with the processes used during the sensitive phase. These include Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introduction (ESI), Puppy Prodigy and clicker training. All dogs in the breeding program are tested for hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC).
Testimonials
My dog has got me off the couch. He's got me out of the house. He's got me feeling safe when I go out in public again, I've lost 52 pounds. I'm off all the medications that I was on. He's given me back a voice that I had before. I know there's a future now.”
- Brian McCrady, Wounded Veteran and recipient of a Project2Heal Service Dog
“Not only does my dog tell me my blood sugar is low, but she is always my best friend. Basically, no matter what happens, she's always right there with me, and I always know that I can count on her for anything.”
- Samantha, a young diabetic girl and recipient of Project2Heal Service Dog
“It's because of Festus who provided that security for me and knowing that I was okay and I was going to be safe, that we were able to do something that we have not been able to do in the family for more than five years.”
- Wounded Marine and recipient of a Project2Heal Service Dog
“Project2heal makes us more effective because of their dogs. We get our calm and confident dogs that can have public access and a very good public behavior.”
- Partner Nonprofit who links Service Dogs with Applicants
“If Project 2 Heal calls to say they have a dog ready, we don't ask questions. We ran down there to pick up one of Charlie's dogs because they have been proven to be fabulous service dogs.”
- Partner Nonprofit who links Service Dogs with Applicants