Service Dogs Making A Difference For Wounded Vets

Difference MAKING A

FOR WOUNDED VETS

by Steve Gamel | photos courtesy of Operation Mutt22

Justin Rie was convinced that it would take a lot of hard work and at least a good 10 years before anyone would know what Operation Mutt22 was and how they could help deserving combat veterans.

He was spot-on about the hard work part. “Honestly, I’m still in disbelief,” Rie said The whole “10 years” thing was way of the program’s growth. “The amount off base. of growth is unbelievable, and it’s gone In two short years, Operation Mutt22 has become another beacon of light in the nonprofit community. The Lantana-based organization, which is run “THE AMOUNT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT WE’VE RECEIVED TO CONTINUE OPERATING HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS.” beyond helping people in Dallas. We just sent one dog to Tennessee to be trained, and it will eventually move on to help someone in Montana. We are helping people, and that’s a great feeling.” jointly by Rie and The idea for the Jacob Robinson and now has a second foundation stems from Rie’s personal facility in Tennessee, trains and delivers experiences. After serving in the service dogs to veterans who return home Marines, Rie experienced suffering from extreme emotional and life-altering PTSD from physical trauma that is often too difficult to his time in the field. overcome alone. His condition was so They’ve managed to place 44 dogs in that stretch and have gone beyond veterans to also help domestic violence victims, rape victims, sexually-abused children, and families of fallen soldiers. severe that it took him six years just to feel comfortable going to the movies with his wife. With hesitation, he accepted his wife’s advice to get a service dog. Seeing the benefits in his own life, he wants to help others benefit.

To receive a service dog through Veteran Affairs is roughly a three-year process — an overwhelmingly long wait time for those men and women who have served our country. Operation Mutt22 provides its services at no cost to the person

in need and can do so much faster. Beginning with basic obedience training, the team gradually guides the dogs in their program to behave appropriately in various environments and serve the specific need of the veteran.

This can include PTSD alerting, seizure response, or serving as a mobility or stability partner.

“The amount of community support we’ve received to continue operating has been tremendous,” Justin said. “There are no salaries. There are no paychecks. Every dime goes to a vet or a dog, and we’ve

never stopped operating — even during COVID-19. People believe in us and what we are doing.”

The trainers at Operation Mutt22 are committed to instructing these amazing animals promptly and to be of assistance throughout a veteran’s journey with their dog. Veterans are encouraged to send an application for a service dog to operationmutt22@gmail.com and visit the foundation’s Facebook page Operation Mutt22. Contact their office for more information at 817.781.1624.