Smokey Mountain Resue Dogs, our charity. Laurie Brit brought Hooligan, a black lab that is in the program as an ambassador for meeting with different organizations to raise awareness of the program. They train custom mobility service dogs. Each dog goes through 2yrs of training from a young puppy to adult. Monetarily each trained dog is worth $25,000. Laurie explained and demonstrated how the dogs can pick up dropped objects, open drawers and refrigerators, even get a canned drink from the fridge and close it back. $0.97 of each donated dollar goes to the organization and its needs to help train the dogs for our disabled veterans. They have placed 54 dogs so far. She explained the differences in a service dog vs a comfort dog and how the skilled training differ for the needs. Laurie said to never pet or talk to a service dog due to they are a support system for the veteran and could be detrimental if the dog reacts to you due to the physical needs of the veteran.
Laurie mentioned the program is ADI certified and the Government actually covers the medical and physical needs other than food for the dogs so the veterans are not having to do so, even if the dog gets sick, the VA covers the medical bills.
