On Aug. 22, Fort Walton Elks Lodge #1795 presented Healing Paws for Warriors the $2,000 Elks National Foundation Spotlight Grant. This nonprofit organization’s motto is “Bringing awareness to veteran suicide; reducing the numbers one service dog at a time.” Healing Paws for Warriors provides rescue-to-trained ADA-certified service dogs at no cost to combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and military sexual trauma (MST). A study by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that 22 veterans and active-duty members die by suicide every day. Healing Paws for Warriors trains rescue or shelter dogs for the veterans, potentially saving two lives in the process.
Pictured are Paul Eubanks, PER; Mike Arena of Healing Paws for Warriors and his dog, Chip; member Dusty Austin; Tom Knowles, PER; member Blake Humphries; Jamie Clemons, Lodge Secretary; and Michael “Taz” WrightReynolds, PER, Exalted Ruler.