Today we’d like to introduce you to Dennis Mele.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
K9s for Veterans started as an extension of the “Pets4Vets” program sponsored by Paws Illinois. The program provided food and basic medical care for pets of disabled Veterans. It quickly became apparent that Veterans, especially those diagnosed with PTSD had much greater needs. We discovered specially trained service dogs were not only the most requested method of recovery aid, but they were also considered the most helpful by mental health experts. That is when K9s for Veterans was born! We registered with the state of Illinois and became a certified 501c-3 for the purpose of helping Veterans with PTSD transition back to civilian life by providing them with trained service dogs.
Through the hard work and generosity of our volunteers (who receive no pay of any kind) and donors, K9s for Veterans has grown quickly. In the past 18 months, we have opened a dedicated K9 Training Center (PTSD service dogs require approximately 10 months of highly specialized training.) and have partnered with Rush Hospital to be the exclusive provider of service dogs for their nationally acclaimed “Road Home Program”. The city of Chicago has also designated the street alongside the training center as “Honorary K9s for Veterans Way”. We are also in the process of constructing the “Forgotten Warrior Memorial” in Channahon State Park. It is the first permanent memorial in America dedicated to Veterans who have lost their lives as a direct result of PTSD.
K9s for Veterans is very proud to be able to help the Veterans and the dogs save each other. 100% of our donations goes into the training and care of service dogs. Donations for the construction of The Forgotten Warrior Memorial are held in a restricted account dedicated solely to the completion of the memorial.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s always hard to find dedicated volunteers who will continuously take time out of their busy lives and provide the sometimes difficult services needed to support an organization like this.
Also, as anyone who runs a not-for-profit will tell you, it is necessary to spend a very large portion of our time trying to raise the funds needed to keep things going. Our people want to help Veterans and animals, not always ask for money.
Somehow, we are usually able to meet these challenges and keep K9s for Veterans an organization of which we are all proud.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
K9s for Veterans mission is to help Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder transition back to civilian life once their military service has ended by providing them with trained service dogs. We are also committed to educating the public about the plight of Veterans with PTSD and streamlining the process for them to get service dogs, so they get the help they need … before it’s too late.
The lifesaving efforts of K9s for Veterans are doubled by the exclusive use of rescue dogs from kill shelters to train as service dogs for our Veterans. This approach truly epitomizes the question of “who rescued who”.
Our duty is to be honest and thoughtful stewards of the funds our donors entrust us with so we can maximize the number of veterans that benefit from them. K9s for Veterans is a 100% volunteer organization thereby enabling us to direct 100% of our donations to accomplishing our mission.
We differentiate K9s for Veterans from other organizations by providing the following:
• EXPEDITED PLACEMENT – The average length of time to find a match and place a properly trained service dog is 6-10 months for K9s for Veterans. It can take years with some other organizations.
• FREE FOOD AND BASIC MEDICAL CARE FOR LIFE – Many of our Veterans struggle financially when returning to civilian life, so adding the expense of a dog can be challenging. K9s for Veterans, stands by our Veterans for the life of their service dog with free food and basic medical care.
• K9s BOOT CAMP – TRAINING CENTER – We have opened a training facility for dogs previously slated to be euthanized. They go through extensive training are given to Veterans with PTSD at no cost to the Veteran.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Chicago is a city of great opportunity. It is also a city of ultimate diversity in every conceivable way. No matter who you are, if your mission is worthwhile you can succeed in Chicago. K9s for Veterans is an entirely volunteer not-for-profit that has thrived because of the hard work of a lot of people. I have been amazed at how many Chicagoans are willing to help an organization that tries to help other people. Chicago is a big city with an even bigger heart.
Pricing:
- All of our services are 100% free to the Veterans we serve.
Contact Info:
- Address: K9s for Veterans, NFP
9512 S. 89th Ave.
Palos Hills, IL 60465 - Website: http://k9sforveteransnfp.org/index.html
- Phone: 708-600-4729
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/K9sForVeteransnfp/
- Twitter: K9s For Veterans, NF
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