Toni Mattson, co-owner and director of programs at Trinity Equestrian Center in Eau Claire, speaks during the Veterans Day ceremony at UW-River Falls on Nov. 9, 2023. This year’s ceremony, on Nov. 6, will feature Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization based in Wausau that trains psychiatric service dogs and pairs them with veterans in need of assistance. UWRF file photo.
 

UW-River Falls to host Nov. 6 Veterans Day ceremony

University’s Veteran Services Office to sponsor open house Nov. 11

Oct. 28, 2024 – When UWRF Veterans Services Coordinator Cheryl Grubb learned about a program that links dogs with military veterans who are experiencing emotional and physical health needs, she thought bringing it to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for a Veterans Day ceremony would be a perfect fit.

UWRF is home to Falcon FETCH, an assistance dog training program started last year in partnership with Can Do Canines out of New Hope, Minn. As part of that program, students live with dogs on campus, training them to be assistance dogs, a role in which they help people with emotional and physical health needs.

After seeing the positive difference assistance dogs can make in people’s lives, Grubb decided to bring Patriot K9s of Wisconsin to campus for this year’s Veterans Day event. The ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the Falcon’s Nest in the University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls. The event is sponsored by the university’s Veterans Services Office and is free to the public.

Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization based in Wausau, trains psychiatric service dogs and pairs them with veterans who are impacted by military related post-traumatic stress, have suffered a traumatic brain injury, or have experienced military sexual trauma. Veterans don’t pay for their service dog provided through the program.

“I thought with the university’s program for assistance dog training and the Patriot K9s training program, it would be an ideal fit for our campus,” Grubb said.

The UWRF Veteran Services Office will also host an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, (Veterans Day) in the Veterans Lounge in Room 283 Rodli Hall, 512 S. 6th St., River Falls. The public is invited.

Patriot K9s of Wisconsin was established in 2017 to assist veterans by increasing services such as mental health screening to improve veterans’ health and reduce veteran suicides. Since it began, the organization has graduated 94 service dog teams and has provided services to more than 100 veterans.

“We are dedicated to providing assistance and guidance to veterans in various aspects of their lives,” the organization’s website states.

Psychiatric service dogs can play a vital role in helping veterans transition from their time in the military to civilian life, Grubb said.

“Service dogs offer veterans improved quality of life and assistance with their mental health,” she said. “Dogs are amazing creatures and offer companionship and unconditional love.”