October 2022

Submitted BY DOT LA MOTTA

GARNER — The Cleveland School Rotary Club’s “Wounded Warrior Project” was held Sept. 9 in Garner to honor and present a certified service dog to retired Marine Chris Beckett, who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Laura Murray, the CEO of The Rescue for PTSD in Houston, presented Beckett with a two-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Justice. The personal bond between the veteran and the dog helps their PTSD struggles to lessen considerably.

Justice is a tail-wagging, ball-chasing bundle of raven black, silky fur who loves to run and give front paw neck hugs and cheek kisses. He was welcomed with open arms by Beckett and his family.

Justice was originally destined to be a law enforcement K9 with the Department of Corrections, but did not pass the stringent testing for drugs and illegal substance retrieval. He was then referred to the Veterans Administration, who in turn referred Justice to The Rescue for PTSD.

Justice passed his initial social and temperament evaluation before entering The Rescue for PTSD training program. This is where Justice shined and was meant to serve. The veteran is not charged for the dog or the training. The Veterans Administration pays for the veterinarian fees, canine equipment, medications, medical and dental procedures and required vaccinations.

During the Sept. 9 celebration, Justice thought it was Christmas as he relaxed in his crate like a king being presented with a ton of gifts including 50 lbs. of food, tennis balls, food dishes monogrammed with his name, vitamins, chewy bones, two fluffy beds (one for the crate and one for the house) and so much more. After a second day of training reinforcement between Justice and Beckett, Justice was officially designated a Certified Service Dog Sept. 10.

The veteran stood in awe, overwhelmed by the entire event as he and his wife gazed at the many workers who volunteered their time, talent and brawn to this event. Lowe’s Home Improvement sent a team of volunteers to complete the installation of a black chain-link fence around the property and provided all the tools and equipment necessary. The members of the Garner and Clayton Rotary Clubs helped with tree trimming and lot clearing and made six raised garden boxes for the family. There was no end to the compassion, the willingness to serve and help a veteran and his family in need.

The Rescue for PTSD only works with dogs in Houston-area rescues and shelters, and from breeders or owners who feel the need to donate their family pet to a worthy cause honoring a veteran in need. Breeds include Labradors, Shepherds, Boxers, Rottweilers and even mixed breeds. No breed, big or small, is discriminated against as long as they can pass the testing.

The training program can last from nine months to two years before the dog is ready to be paired with its veteran. All dogs must pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test, the ADA Public Access Test, and the specified appropriate training that matches the veteran’s needs.

Once a dog is placed with a veteran, The Rescue for PTSD continues its one-on-one visitation with the veteran in their home, place of employment and in public areas to acquaint the newly-matched couple and to reinforce commands.

A veteran requesting a service dog must complete a detailed medical and personal application form, pass multiple interviews, have a doctor confirming their PTSD and treatments recommended, be available for home visits by the Veterans Administration or the rescue organization and must have a qualified fenced-in yard before a service dog is released to them.

The veteran must attend meetings with the CEO of The Rescue for PTSD or their master trainer. The board of directors of The Rescue for PTSD reviews all requests and provides the final approvals as to which trained dog is the best match for the needs of the veteran.

Those who are interested in being a foster home for a service dog until they are permanently placed must also pass stringent testing and interviews. They are responsible for completing the end stages of the dog’s training and reinforcing the commands.

The home must provide for their welfare, love and companionship and be diligent in continuing the training tasks needed by the waiting veteran. This is a serious assignment and the foster parents are under an obligation to surrender the service dog to the veteran even if tears are flowing and hugs refuse to let go.

The local foster family in Garner was Kurt and Peggy Woods, both retired Army officers. Kurt is also the recipient of a certified service dog called Honor, a golden Labrador Retriever with an exuberant, bouncy personality who welcomes everyone with her happy tail wags, body bumps and funny vocal greetings.

Honor was donated by a breeder to a fundraising auction. The Belles of Houston (wives of oilmen) purchased Honor as part of their fundraising efforts for a charity. Honor was one and a half years old when she completed her training with The Rescue for PTSD.

She was welcomed as a permanent member of the Woods family about a year ago and has found a match made in heaven. She has since become a delightful, fun addition to her neighborhood. She will miss Justice, but both families live close to enjoy frequent visits and a romp in their fenced-in yards. Kurt Woods and The Rescue for PTSD helped to organize this event, coordinate volunteers and obtained business and food contributions.

The Cleveland School Rotary Club members are dedicated to serving and volunteering for projects in their community to help fill a need that is not met. Members from all walks of life come together in friendship using their time, talent and treasure to help the less fortunate and to improve their community’s public areas, parks and other places needing updating.

Their “Wounded Warrior Project” was a huge success with many people and local businesses coming together in a spirit of camaraderie to help, share and contribute to this worthy cause.

Local businesses and organizations who contributed to the effort include Lowe’s of Garner, Cleveland School Rotary Club, Clayton and Garner Rotary Clubs, Triangle Seamless Gutters, Carolina Renovation and Maintenance, Sheetz, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, Just for Dogs, Electri-Tech, Panera Bread and Biscuitville.

The Cleveland School Rotary Club also appreciates Murray flying in from Texas to oversee this momentous occasion.

For more information, visit www. rescueforptsd.org. Tax-deductible donations are always welcome and appreciated.

Justice sends a tail wag and a kiss to thank everyone too!