A bill introduced by state legislators would fund completion of a Ponte Vedra-based facility capable of shortening years-long waitlist for veterans seeking service dogs.
K9s For Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs to military veterans, recently recognized key Florida leaders at an event in Tallahassee for their efforts to fund the completion of the nonprofit’s Mega Kennel facility.
Once completed, the facility will enable the organization to rescue more dogs from high-kill shelters and train them to save veterans who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and military sexual trauma.
The facility would include more than 150 kennels, a full veterinary clinic, an indoor training center and K9 enrichment areas.
K9s For Warriors thanked Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls, as well as Florida Sen. Travis Hutson, Rep. Sam Garrison, Sen. Cord Byrd and Sen. Jennifer Bradley for their consideration and support of HB 9049.
“We are extremely grateful to our state leaders and representatives for their support in our mission to continue saving veteran lives by building the world’s largest rescue-to-service dog facility,” said K9s For Warriors CEO Rory Diamond. “This Mega Kennel training facility will support the K9s For Warriors mission to end veteran suicide by pairing veterans with highly trained service dogs. The current wait time to receive a service dog is approximately four years; this facility will cut that time in half. This gives us the ability to get service dogs in the hands of our warriors sooner so they can regain a life of dignity and independence.”
“With roughly 20 veterans dying by suicide every day, we need to do everything we can to support and save our veterans,” said Garrison. “K9s For Warriors has proven the incredible impact service dogs can have on veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war. This Mega Kennel facility will exponentially increase the number of service dogs available to veterans in need and allow more of them to get their lives back.”
Founded in 2011, K9s For Warriors has rescued approximately 1,500 dogs across the country and paired more than 700 veterans with trained service dogs.
To learn more, go to k9sforwarriors.org.
