Seven years ago Dawn and Roger Curtis introduced the Hi-Line to the K9 Care Montana Program. K9 Care Montana is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 based out of a ranch near Philipsburg, Mont.
The Curtises, both veterans, are staunch supporters of the program that helps a deserving veteran receive one of K9 Care Montana’s therapy dogs. Their goal is to raise enough money during the Oct. 6 fundraiser in Valier to present one of Montana’s Wounded Warriors with a service dog of his own.
Proceeds from this year’s event will help wounded veteran Mitchell West of Billings whose service dog, Freedom, is in training now, said K9 Care Montana founder and CEO David Riggs.
“These service dogs are not therapy dogs,” stressed Riggs, “and K9 Care Montana provides them at no cost to the veterans, which is why these fundraising events are so important to our program.”
The Curtises have moved to Arizona and have been busy planning the Oct. 6 event long distance.
“We have been coming back and forth from Arizona to put this on,” said Dawn. “We are really excited to be able to carry on this event.”
For this year’s fundraiser, doors will open at 4 p.m. at the Firemen’s Pavilion at Lake Frances. Silent auction items will be on display for generous bidders.
Dinner will be served at 5 p.m., with a free will offering being accepted.
Posting of the colors by the local color guard is set for 5:45 p.m. and the live auction will follow at 6 p.m.
Anyone wishing to donate items for the auctions should call Dawn or Roger at (406) 505-0080 (cell) or drop them off at Froggie’s.
Monetary donations may be mailed directly to K9 Care Montana, P.O. Box 333, Valier, MT 59486. Donations can also be made online at http://www.k9caremontana.org/
Does a service dog really make a difference in a disabled veteran’s qualify of life? Riggs believes the answer is yes.
“A service dog encourages and promotes independence for returning vets and encourages them to be active and to move forward with their lives. We consider this a lifesaving program,” he stated.
He explained, “A service dog also performs at least one task to mitigate the veteran’s disability. Freedom is being trained to mitigate Post Traumatic Stress and mobility as well as to pick up objects, ‘blocking’ and ‘posting’ to prevent people from impeding on West’s personal space.”
Riggs started K9 Care to fulfill his need to help others, particularly veterans afflicted with PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to Riggs, “Many veterans come home and become recluses. Some returning veterans become anti-social even within their own families. A relationship with a service dog can help with the battle back home.”