March 21, 2018
Program
Laura Barker, Executive Director of the nonprofit Hero Pups in Stratham (and Portsmouth Rotarian), spoke to us about the operation. Their mission is to provide therapy dogs to veterans and first responders.
Laura got into this when she observed how her son reacted to a therapy dog while he was hospitalized recovering from wounds acquired in Afghanistan. She noticed how helpful the dogs were in relieving stress and anxiety
They accept dogs up to 1 year old and place them with volunteer "puppy raisers" who will acclimate the dog to people and bring them back to Hero Pups for training. The dogs are trained to be service dogs by volunteer professionals over a period of eight months.
The veterans and first-responders have suffered traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress. Before they can be assigned a dog, they must be able to care for the dog, they must not be addicted to drugs, and they must commit to continue to see behavioral specialists for their mental health.
The dogs are donated, the puppy raisers provide that service at no cost, the trainers are volunteers, Walmart donates all the dog food, no one on the board (including Laura) is paid, and the dogs are kenneled and trained on donated land, so the only expense is the electric bill. Now all she needs is a solar panel.
Breakfasts and Prayer
Mar 28 Ann
Apr 4 Frank B
Apr 11 Steve
Apr 18 Russ
Apr 25 Heather
Megabucks: $360
Editor: Ric
