GB Magazine October 2021 | Page 32

Military

FREEDOM DOGS LENDING A PAW TO MARINES IN NEED

When it comes to supporting military members in need , Freedom Dogs is here to help . The San Diego based non-profit organization works closely with the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton , providing specialty service dogs to wounded warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder , traumatic brain injury , and / or other physical impairment . Freedom Dogs give both physical and emotional aid to wounded warriors making the transition back to civilian life , or in some cases , returning to active duty .

Freedom Dogs offers two types of programs : The Partner Program , which pairs a dog and trainer team to a service member to complement their recovery process , and the Partner for Life Program , which matches a dog to a warrior for life .
Trainers have been working together for many years , with multiple trainers being with Freedom Dogs from its onset . Specializing in positive reinforcement instruction , the trainers encourage the dogs to think on their feet and problem solve .
Beth Russell , the founder of Freedom Dogs shared with GB Magazine , “ It is not uncommon to hear someone ask , ‘ can your dog do ...’ and have the trainer say , ‘ no , but give me five
32 GBSAN . COM | OCTOBER 2021