Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.
For men and women who have put their lives on the line to serve our great nation, adjusting to civilian life can be a huge mental and emotional challenge. Many veterans and first responders have seen and lived through horrors that the rest of us can hardly imagine, leaving them with crippling anxiety, depression and even PTSD. For many service members, retired or still in duty, a service dog can be the key to living a normal life, as these dogs provide security, emotional and even medical support.
These dogs don't come cheap, though, and many service personnel who desperately need a service dog cannot afford to get one, or they may find themselves on a waiting list for years until one comes available through a charity program. Forgotten Coast K9 specializes in providing certified service dogs through their partner, Top Tier K9, and their “Build a Battle Buddy” and “Buy a Battle Buddy” programs. These programs can pair a fully trained and certified canine with a new owner in as little as eight to thirty weeks. Depending on which program a new owner chooses for their dog, owners will participate in a complete training course alongside their new companion, resulting in a stronger, more successful bond between dog and owner that lasts.
Forgotten Coast K9 is a veteran owned and operated non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, and strives to provide certified service dogs to veterans and first responders at minimal to no cost to them. A single canine that has completed their certification can cost anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000. Forgotten Coast K9's partnership with Top Tier K9 allows them to limit out of pocket expense for veterans and first responders to just $5,000 through their programs. Forgotten Coast K9 also raises money for service members who are unable to afford a canine to participate in their programs at little to no cost, and they rely solely on donations from the public and fundraising efforts to make this possible.
The latest fundraising effort being held by Forgotten Coast K9 is a Rifle Raffle Fundraiser. Participants in the raffle may buy a ticket for $10 for a chance to win a Savage Axis II XP with a stainless barrel, adjustable trigger and a 3-9 x 40 Bushnell scope. All participants must be 18 years or older to win, and must be able to pass a background check in order to receive the gun. Participants may buy as many tickets as they wish, and do not need to be present at the raffle drawing to win.
The winner will be drawn on Nov. 18, and the rifle can be picked up by the winner at Studstill's in Madison, Fla., or shipped to a local FFL. Forgotten Coast K9 would like to thank Studstill's of Madison for donating the rifle for the fundraiser.
All proceeds of this raffle fundraiser will go to the training of service dogs for veterans and first responders. They strive to reach their goal this year of “22 for 22.” From now until Veteran's Day (Nov. 11), they plan to deliver 22 dogs to 22 veterans through the Top Tier K9's ESDog program. Every ticket helps bring them one step closer to their goal. To purchase a raffle ticket, contact Chris at (850) 508-7386. Tickets can also be purchased at the Monticello News office, located at 180 W. Washington St., in Monticello, Fla. Come on in and buy a few! A great prize for an even greater cause!