Memorial Day serves as a reminder to show support for the veterans who made it home. There is an organization in Hollis dedicated to making things a little easier for those service members. “We want to make sure this program is here so that we can help all those who have given so much to us,” Charlotte Trodin, executive director of Operation Delta Dog, said. The non-profit group Operation Delta Dog rescues homeless dogs and trains them to be service animals for veterans with traumatic stress and related challenges. Troddin said it makes a world of difference. “When they have that dog, it’s really life changing for them,” Trodin said. The program is donation-based and is free for veterans. At 18 months, veterans come for classes a few times a week. After three months, they are paired with a service dog, with whom they work in the classroom and at home. “You can see the veteran when they walk in on their first day, when they interview and last, and they are replaced by people,” Trodin said. Doug Leshen, who made two tours to Iraq with the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008, participated in the program. “Memorial Day isn’t usually a really good week for me, or a weekend, I’d say,” LeShen said. “I had a lot of friends who didn’t make it home.” Leshane has been working with service dog Wally for almost three months and she says it makes a big difference. “Yeah, it’s comforting to have him. He’s a companion. But at the same time, I equate him to any other tool in my toolbox,” LeShen said. Anyone interested in donating or receiving services from Operation Delta Dog can visit this link.
Memorial Day serves as a reminder to show support for the veterans who made it home. There is an organization in Hollis dedicated to making things a little easier for those service members.
“We want to make sure this program is here to help all those who have given so much to us,” said Charlotte Trodin, executive director of Operation Delta Dog.
The non-profit group Operation Delta Dog rescues homeless dogs and trains them to be service animals for veterans with post-traumatic stress and related challenges.
Trodin said it makes a world of difference.
“When they have that dog, it’s really life changing for them,” Trodin said.
The program is donation-based and is free to veterans.
For more than 18 months, ex-servicemen come for classes a few times a week. After three months, they are paired with a service dog, with whom they work in the classroom and at home.
“You can see the veteran when they walk in on their first day, when they interview and on the last day, and they’re the people who changed,” Trodin said.
Doug Leshen, who made two tours to Iraq with the Marine Corps from 2004 to 2008, participated in the program.
“Memorial Day isn’t usually a really good week for me, or a weekend, I’d say,” LeShen said. “I had too many friends who couldn’t make it home.”
Leshane has been working with service dog Wally for almost three months and she says it makes a big difference.
“Yeah, it’s comforting to have him. He’s a companion. But at the same time, I equate him to any other tool in my toolbox,” LeShen said.
Anyone interested in donating or receiving services to Operation Delta Dog can visit this link,