F
or more than 14
years, Freedom
Dogs, a leading
Specialty Service
Dog nonprofit,
has been providing military
personnel of the Wounded
Warrior Battalion – West
Camp Pendleton (WWBn-W)
with highly trained Specialty
Service Dogs, to decrease
the suffering associated with
PTSD and TBI. Working
closely with the health
providers of the WWBn-W,
Freedom Dogs trainers and
these very special dogs
have helped to enhance the
recovery of more than 40
military heroes.
The goal of each Service
Member/Dog-Trainer team
is to assist the warriors in
their return to an active
and productive life. This is
accomplished through two programs, the Partner Program and
the Partner for Life Program. Beth Russell, President, founder
and lead trainer for Freedom Dogs shared with GB Magazine
what is unique about the Freedom Dog program; “We measure
our success in the number of Warriors we help transition back
to active duty or civilian life as well as no suicides vs. the
number of dogs placed permanently”.
There is no cost to the military nor to the participating service
members for these programs for the placement of a dog.
Freedom Dogs follows its participants throughout the dog’s life
and will provide a replacement dog as needed at no cost.
The organization has grown in two ways this year. The first
was the opening of a new specially designed training center
bordering on Camp Pendleton (Vandegrift Blvd, Oceanside).
This space offers close proximity to the base for the
participants and a “safe” place to work. Additionally, it affords
numerous training opportunities for these special dogs and
their trainers.
The second highlight was
the hiring of an Executive
Director. Freedom Dogs
has been 100% volunteer
led for more than 14 years
until the hiring of its first
Executive Director, Wendy
Sabin-Lasker, to work
alongside their dedicated
group of Board Members
and trainers. “We are thrilled
to have Wendy’s expert
leadership as we continue
to grow and to implement
our strategic plans,”
said George (Jody) Root
Chairman of the Board.
Freedom Dog’s 7th
annual Fundraiser, the
Golf Tournament on March
6th at the Del Mar Country
Club is critical to raising
the monies needed for
acquiring/purchasing well
bred, healthy Labs from
exceptional breeders around the country, raising a dog to age
2 ½ years and well beyond when they are ready for service;
food, vet bills, puppy insurance, dog training supplies, service
dog vests, harnesses, collars and leashes to name a few.
Volunteer trainers are also given a small gas reimbursement to
assist in the costs of traveling an average of 70 miles one way
to take our Marines, with dogs to their doctor’s appointments,
public outings, family events and special events for which
they are accompanied and supported by the Freedom Dog.
Additionally, a Freedom Dogs’ representative travels nationwide
for yearly checkups on their Partner for Life dog teams, and
covers the expense of bringing teams back to the Oceanside
area yearly. Emergency travel funds are also necessary for
travel of a trainer when a Partner for Life Marine is in distress.
Freedom Dogs needs the continued support of donors to
provide its specially trained heroes for our military heroes.
For more information on how you can assist, please visit
www.freedomdogs.org or call (760) 696-3076.
FEBRUARY 2020 | GBSAN.COM 75