PA VetPets, a nonprofit organization with a mission to cover the costs of matching and training rescue dogs with veterans who are suffering from PTSD, has partnered with Toledo Aerial Media for a Drone Golf Ball Drop fundraiser, according to Observer-Reporter. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help the organization provide a veteran with a puppy along with 120 hours of service dog training with Von Bahneman K9 Training in Ambridge. Omar Brooks, veteran and co-founder of PA VetPets, shared that dogs help relieve stress and anxiety for veterans, and shared that the bonding experience he had with his dog helped him cope after returning from service.
According to Observer-Reporter, “the event will take place on the golf course practice green, where a drone will drop 500 numbered golf balls from 30 feet in the sky. The two golf balls closest to the pin or in the hole, along with the ball furthest from the hole, will win prizes. The cost for a golf ball is $10 each. A hole-in-one wins $1,500. Closest to the hole wins $1,000; second-closest wins $500; and furthest from the hole wins a $100 Top Golf gift card.”
PA VetPets partners with local organizations to help cover the costs of animal adoption and training fees as the dog transitions from being rescued to being matched with a veteran in need of a companion. Part of their mission is to raise awareness of the “often unseen battles still going on within the minds” of our returning servicemen and women who suffer from PTSD. According to Brooks, the estimated cost for animal adoption and training is $3,600.
Created with our national heroes in mind, PA VetPets is focused on helping veterans adjust to civilian life with the help of the companionship that is found in dogs. The emotional support that dogs give to veterans, and veterans give back to the dogs in return, has been viewed as part of effective therapy to help veterans cope with PTSD. Raising awareness of this important cause to all who participate and/or attend, the Golf Ball Drop event will help fundraise for our veterans and support the efforts of PA VetPets to help servicemen and women who have made tremendous sacrifices for our country.