Last week, our Sales and Marketing Director, Linsey Baker and our Outreach Specialist, Nicola Wales-Wong had the privilege of meeting with K9s For Warriors at one of their locations in Texas, representing the REE Medical team. K9s For Warriors is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides highly trained service dogs (the majority from high-kill rescue shelters) to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma. You can read more about the organization here: https://k9sforwarriors.org.
We are very excited to share with you all some of the highlights from Linsey and Nicola’s experience, and just how special this organization truly is for the incredible impact they make in the veteran community!
Petco Love K9 Center (San Antonio, TX) | October 25, 2022
Upon arriving at the Petco Love K9 Center in San Antonio, TX, we immediately noticed how beautiful and well-kept the entire property and facility were. As soon as we entered the building, we were greeted with the warmest welcome by the staff and a few of their friendly, four-legged K9 friends. We received a tour of the entire center inside and out, learned about the significance of each room and the teaching yard, and got to see some K9s going through the training process. We also had the wonderful opportunity to present a donation from REE Medical to K9s For Warriors, along with volunteering our time by deep cleaning their service vehicles and making DIY training toys for the dogs.
Helotes on the Hill at Warrior Ranch (Helotes, TX) | October 26, 2022
The following evening, we were invited to attend their “Helotes on the Hill” reception at their stunning Warrior Ranch in Helotes, TX. The Warrior Ranch is one of three residential training properties where veterans (referred to as “Warriors”) go to live for three weeks and become fully immersed in the training with their assigned K9. The Warriors are provided housing and meals, in addition to their daily training, all at no cost to them. The living quarters were gorgeous and very inviting along with the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys from the property. It is easy to see why the Warriors feel so comfortable and at home while staying at the ranch! It was an intimate gathering mixed with the K9s For Warriors team, donors, sponsors, and supporters. The real honor of the night was meeting some of the Warriors themselves along with their K9s in attendance at the reception. These Warriors and their K9s had previously gone through training at the ranch and were very open and transparent about how the program made it possible for them to “live a life that they previously did not think was possible”. To date, the K9s For Warriors team has rescued more than 1,500 dogs…and counting. Talk about all-around inspiring!
If you’d like to view more photos of this event, please visit our Facebook page.
Donate to K9s for Warriors
K9s For Warriors exists because of their dedication to saving the lives of both veterans and rescue dogs, and REE Medical is so grateful for the opportunity to partner with this amazing organization! If you would like to contribute to their cause, you can donate to the official K9s For Warriors ‘Wish List’ via Chewy.com: https://www.chewy.com/g/k9s-for-warriors-inc_b71785333. Items purchased from their ‘Wish List’ will be sent directly to the foundation.
