The number may certainly be higher, but 8 Saskatchewan veterans are eligible for service dogs to better their lives after their military service.
The Paws for Veterans Gala on Jun. 3 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #28 in Humboldt will help raise funds for these veterans to gain access to much needed service dogs.
Since the end of the Afghanistan mission, in Canada, 54 veterans of Afghanistan have taken their own lives, according to a Globe and Mail investigation done in late 2015.
“These dogs are specially trained, they’re not pets and cost about $10,000,” says Andy McAnally, co-organizer of the event.
Service dogs have done wonders for veterans. McAnally recalls one story of a veteran who was not able to leave his house before receiving a service dog.
But there are some requirements.
Veterans have to be able to care for the animal, says McAnally, and “in some cases, that might not be able to happen because of their condition.”
For soldiers, they are trained to hide their emotions so problems with mental illness in veterans are not an easy thing to spot, says McAnally.
“A lot of the symptoms of PTSD; high anxiety, depression, flashbacks, it’s not like a physical illness where you can see the person has scars, it’s a mental illness.”
The dogs are worth their weight in gold, says McAnally.
This is a project that is close to McAnally’s heart since he is a veteran himself and served in the military for 12 years.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind for several years since the men and women came back from Afghanistan,” says McAnally.
Through Sherry and Don Hogemann, the Royal Canadian Legion and Paws for Veterans, McAnally is very happy to be able to bring this fundraiser to Humboldt.
Money raised will go towards Saskatchewan veterans, says McAnally.
Tickets are available until May 31 at Scotiabank, who will match the money raised by tickets sold at their location but McAnally says they may be able to accommodate ticket sales made after that day.
Entertainment will be provided by Carey Dolan and the Horse’s Mouth.
