The Marblehead VFW will hold fundraisers for Company 2 Heroes, a nonprofit service-dog-training program for veterans.
The first event, a 5K walk, run, or ‘ruck,’ will benefit veterans with PTSD by providing them with service dogs and training. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on Sept. 14.
The event later that evening will feature a live performance from the Guy Ford Band, a 50/50 raffle, and a chance to meet some of the service dogs in the program.
The event will begin at 6 p.m. on Sept. 14 and feature live music from the Guy Ford Band. Admission is free and donations are welcome, with all proceeds going toward Company 2 Heroes.
Brian Wheeler, a singer and guitarist in the Guy Ford Band, said the band’s members are honored to play for such a great cause.
“The band is looking forward to seeing friends, family, and neighbors” at the event, he added.
Veteran Kate Van Auken started Company 2 Heroes in 2017. After serving multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, she adopted her own service dog, Sgt. Rey, and wanted to provide a service through which qualified veterans could learn how to train their own service dogs, at no cost to them.
She said using service dogs to help treat PTSD is extremely beneficial. Part of the program, she added, is helping veterans teach their own dogs how to be certified service dogs.
“Everybody who has ever owned a dog knows dogs make you feel good,” she said.
The volunteers are currently training at the Danvers National Guard Armory. Van Auken added that providing service dogs to veterans can be extremely beneficial because it helps them find a purpose. The program helps veterans from all wars, but mostly veterans of recent wars, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to Van Auken, there are currently 48 dogs in the training regiment, with a dozen who have become certified.
She said the symbiotic relationship between the dog and the veteran helps with the healing process.
“Veterans will come out in force to help each other, but they rarely help themselves,” Van Auken said.
Claudette Mason helped organize sponsors and create publicity for the event and cause.
She said that her uncles struggled with PTSD and after watching her uncles struggle, she “vowed to help veterans who struggle with PTSD in any way.”
She said service dogs have been proven to help veterans and she fully believes in the mission of Company 2 Heroes and the work it does to help veterans.
Mason works at Piper Sandler, one of the businesses that is sponsoring the event.
She said she is looking forward to bringing her two rescue dogs for the 5K.
“We are very honored to be hosting these events,” VFW Post 2005 Cmdr. Ronny Knight said. “There was such a great turnout last year in the evening that we wanted to take it a step further.
“We are honored to host something that has a direct impact on veterans with PTSD,” he added.
For more information about Company 2 Heroes, visit company2heroes.org or email info@Company2Heroes.org.