In Chelmsford, Massachusetts, an organization called Operation Delta Dog rescues homeless dogs from all over the country to train and pair with veterans in need.
Operation Delta Dog’s mission is to support their local veterans and to rescue homeless dogs, reports CBS Boston.
It’s a pairing that is mutually beneficial and humane, for both the dogs and the veterans who rely on them.
Operation Delta Dog’s Vital Mission
Just found out that our friends at Operation Delta Dog are struggling financially to keep up with the demand to pair service dogs with vets. They train homeless dogs to assist veterans in need, saving two lives. Give here if you can: https://t.co/Is89IPM46Q pic.twitter.com/c4lJw3zzzN
— Kevin Karlson (@kevinkarlson) January 8, 2020
This non-profit organization was started by the daughter of a US Army veteran, Trisha Blanchet, back in 2013. Its funding is comprised entirely of donations and earned grants.
That funding is first put towards rescuing homeless dogs located all around the country. Then, the unique personality and strengths of the dog are matched to a veteran’s needs.
From that point, both the dog and the veteran attend weekly training sessions where veterans train their dogs, themselves.
Operation Delta Dog foots the bill for all of the dog’s expenses for this full duration, from finding the dog through graduation with their veteran. This can cost up to $30,000.
“Our service is 100 percent free to our veterans. It’s completely funded on donations from the public and grants. So that is the first obstacle we take out of their way,” says Charlotte Troddyn, Executive Director of Operation Delta Dog.
“Our veterans have done a lot for us and our country, and this is really a small thing we can give back to them.”
An Important Last Resort for Veterans
It’s getting large! Operation Delta Dog #walkandwag providing service dogs for veterans! 10am-3pm today at Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle MA pic.twitter.com/SPsXiuG4hz
— Pete McKenzie (@petemckenziezlx) November 10, 2018
There are other organizations that offer a similar training program to veterans — ones that struggle with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, or sexual trauma that occurs for some during service.
But according to Troddyn, their waitlists can be “years long.”
“We know these people do not have years to wait to get healthy. Their life is literally on the line by the time they call us, so we bring them in the door immediately. We don’t want to say that they have to pay any money as an obstacle to walk through our door,” Troddyn says.
Families of veterans tell Troddyn that their loved ones “came back different, and we don’t know how to get them back,” and this is what they want to help with.
Meet Mike Geary, A Soon-To-Be Graduate Of Operation Delta Dog
It Happens Here: Operation Delta Dog In Chelmsford Matches Veterans With Service Dogs In Training (via @BrePWBZ ) https://t.co/btxWd6Ujf1 pic.twitter.com/iQwlYlINJy
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) November 11, 2021
Mike Geary served three tours in Iraq, then a fourth in Kuwait. Upon returning, he found it difficult to socialize, or even leave the house. He says that Operation Delta Dog “has given me a new lease on life.”
In January, Geary was paired with Jose, who has calmed his anxieties and lessened the load.
“He’s made such an impact on my life. I just wouldn’t want to go back to that life pre-Jose,” Geary explains. “Now with Jose, I’m able to walk around, introduce myself to everybody, just be able to be more interactive with people.”
Jose was a perfect match for Geary, and the results speak for themselves.
“We have all kinds of dogs with all kinds of personalities. So when they’re getting matched with a veteran, we kind of joke that it’s like Match.com,” Troddyn says. “When you can see the match happen, you feel it in the room.”
Both Geary and Jose will graduate from training in January.
If you’re a veteran local to Boston, if you work at a shelter with dogs who might fit the program, or if you just want to donate, you can reach out to Operation Delta Dog via their website.
What do you think of Operation Delta Dog’s mission? Do you have a similar organization that pairs veterans with service dogs in your area? Let us know in the comments below.
