TYSONS, Va.,— The PenFed Foundation presented Canine Companions for Independence with a $50,000 donation to support the launch of Canine Companions’ PTSD program, which will change the lives of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the Northeast region.
As part of the PTSD program, the highly-skilled assistance dogs are trained to create physical space in public for the handler, turn on lights, and interrupt flashbacks, anxiety episodes and nightmares, helping to mitigate the veterans' PTSD symptoms, PenFed said.
“We are proud to work with Canine Companions and want to do more to help the increasing number of wounded veterans who can benefit from an assistance dog,” said James Schenck, president and CEO, PenFed Credit Union and CEO PenFed Foundation. “Wounded veterans often face difficult transitions back to civilian life. An assistance dog can provide the help they need to regain independence, pride and hope. These dogs are changing lives.”
A successful pilot program at Canine Companions began earlier this year for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), joining the ranks of over 6,000 service dog teams matched by the organization. In 2019, the new program will expand to Canine Companions' training centers in Texas and New York.
In addition to the donation, PenFed Foundation has provided $60,000 in funding to Canine Companions in the last year. PenFed Credit Union is also supporting two employee volunteer puppy raisers at PenFed and covering all costs associated with raising the dogs.
“We are grateful for PenFed’s continued supported and honored to support even more of our nation’s heroes with service dogs to help mitigate the symptoms of PTSD,” said Paige Mazzoni, Canine Companions for Independence CEO. “Canine Companions is committed to helping those who have sacrificed so much by matching them with expertly-trained service dogs trained in over 40 commands. With our recent program expansion, we can help more veterans across the nation.”
The donation check was presented by PenFed volunteer puppy raisers Lisa Jennings and Emma Phillips and Canine Companions puppies Admiral and Clint during the Diamonds in the Ruff fundraising event program on November 10 at Northeast Region’s Miller Family Campus in Medford, NY.