The golf tournament , which will take place on Monday , March 13 , 2023 at the Fairbanks Ranch Country Club , is the primary fundraiser for Freedom Dogs , a San Diego-based 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) nonprofit , dedicated to the training of service dogs for both active and retired American military heroes suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ( PTSD ) and / or physical trauma . For 83 % of military who have served post 9 / 11 , a loud noise or a sudden movement can send them into a trigger response , making something as simple as leaving the house - impossible . The dogs , along with their trainers , help these heroes to transition back to everyday life . Freedom Dogs has been providing service dogs and trainers to U . S . Marines based at Camp Pendleton since 2009 and in 2022 , Freedom Dogs expanded their reach to all branches of the military .
Donors and sponsored members of the military will play 18-holes of golf , followed by a Ball Retrieval Contest , a fundraiser wherein supporters purchase numbered golf balls at $ 10 each . At the end of the event , a Freedom Dog retrieves one of the balls , and the lucky owner of the retrieved ball gets $ 1,000 .
Dale Yahnke of Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Management ,
shared with GB Magazine , “ I think we owe a lot to our military ,” Yahnke says . “ Having the opportunity to meet the dogs and to hear the military men and women speak is the highlight of the day .” That is saying a lot , considering that Yahnke has won the tournament every year he has participated . “ They come and talk about how the dogs give them purpose and a companion , and how they have changed their lives . It is incredibly inspiring .” Plus , Yahnke says . “ I am a dog guy . I know what my dog means to me and my family , so I can only imagine what it means to these heroes who are recovering from the trauma of war .”
Both Steele and Yahnke , coincidentally , have service dogs in their families . Yahnke ’ s daughter , who has special needs , has a labradoodle , Toby . Dr . Steele ’ s son-in-law is a former marine with PTSD and has a service dog . “ It is easy to see the positive effects that the dogs have on these young people . The lift of emotion out of despair to moments of joy - it may not be easy to measure ,” Steele adds . “ But it is easy to see .”
To register for the golf tournament , become a sponsor , or enter the ball retrieval contest , visit www . FreedomDogs . org .
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