The Organization Will Work to Help Combat Veterans and People with Disabilities While Reducing Shelter Overpopulation

Newport Beach, Calif., – February 21, 2018 – Paw Prints in the Sand Animal Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization, today announced its new ‘From Shelter to Service’ Program. The program is designed to rescue eligible dogs from high kill shelters that are at risk of euthanasia and train them to become service dogs for combat veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The program will also help people with certain health conditions that require them to have a service dog such as diabetes, epilepsy, paralysis, and nerve and neurological disorders. An example of this is Buttercup.

Once an eligible dog is rescued, Paw Prints in the Sand will provide medical care and sterilization as needed prior to a dog entering a service dog training program. The rescue will work with local dog trainers including The Patriotic Service Dog Foundation, Redefined Dog Training, and David Utter.

An estimated 460,000 veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan war alone, struggle with PTSD or TBI, which can lead to sleeplessness, depression, anger, anxiety and isolation. Furthermore, more than 3.9 million dogs enter our nation’s shelter system on an annual basis. 1.2 million of those dogs are euthanized. The goal of this program is to help reduce those numbers and help those who need it most.

“We have always been dedicated to reducing shelter overpopulation, but felt that we could always do more, especially for the men and women who have served this great country,” stated Kelly Reeves, president of Paw Prints in the Sand. “We are excited to work with our veterans and excellent trainers while taking opportunity to save more lives- both humans and dogs.”

“Every day, 22 of our nation’s heroes take their own lives due to the effects of PTSD and TBI. This is unconscionable for America- the world’s greatest nation,” said Tom Tackett, founder of the Patriotic Service Dog Foundation. “Aligning with Paw Prints in the Sand will better our respective efforts to reduce the unfortunate numbers that we are fighting against.”

About Paw Prints in the Sand
Paw Prints in the Sand Animal Rescue is a charitable non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing, rehoming and rehabilitating abused, abandoned, neglected and stray companion animals. Virtually all donated funds go directly towards the care of the animals. Headquartered in Orange County, California, Paw Prints in the Sand is an all-volunteer, all-foster organization committed to placing animals in loving, responsible, committed forever homes.

Paw Prints in the Sand raises funds through events, donations, and continuing contributions from its supporters. For more information or to make a donation, visit the organizations Web site at www.pawprintsinthesand.org. You can also visit PPITS on Facebook and Instagram @PPITSresq, and on Twitter @PPITSRescue

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