Tag Archives: veteran

Meet Whiskey: A Medical Service Dog Donated by the Oakmont Senior Communities Family

Meet Whiskey.

Whiskey is a service dog rescued and specially trained by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, INC located in Williston, Florida. He will spend his adult life in service to a veteran experiencing ongoing effects of the tolls of service.

How did funding for Whiskey become available?

Oakmont Senior Communities residents, staff, veterans, friends, and families participated in an organization-wide fundraiser, raising $22,000 to facilitate Whiskey’s training and donation to a deserving veteran.

Who will get Whiskey?

Whiskey will be awarded to a Michigan veteran of the United States Army in a ceremony at Oakmont Rochester in November. His adoption will be at no cost to the veteran thanks to the funds raised by Oakmont.

What is Whiskey trained to do?

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs are trained to do the following:

  • Alerting for help
  • Alerting prior to a seizure
  • Diabetic alert
  • Open/close doors, drawers and refrigerators
  • Pick up dropped items
  • Assist with balance issues
  • Mitigate the challenges of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) including shielding, grounding from anxiety/panic attacks and flashbacks, and waking from nightmares
  • Assist those with autism and so much more

Where is Whiskey allowed to go?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that serve the public generally, must allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas of the facility where the public is normally allowed to go. For example, in a hospital, it would be inappropriate to exclude a service animal from areas such as patient rooms, clinics, cafeterias, or examination rooms. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from operating rooms or burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.

Who is Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, INC?

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, INC is one of the nation’s most trusted and highly-rated 501(C)3 non-profit medical service dog organizations operating today. Having paired more than 200 individually trained medical service dogs with deserving recipients since beginning in 2010, Guardian Angels depends on the support of the community to continue their mission. Find out more on their website.

Oakmont, American Legion, reach service dog fundraising goal

It began as a lofty goal – raising $22,000 to help Oakmont Senior Communities pair a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog with a deserving local veteran. And thanks to the help of Oakmont’s residents, staff, family and friends – and especially with significant donations from the American Legion – this will soon become a reality.

This good news coincides with Oakmont honoring American Legion Post 253 and American Legion 18th District for their generous financial support at a special event on July 13. The money raised goes toward covering the cost of training, transportation and lifetime veterinary care for Whiskey, a 2-year-old German Shepherd.

Whiskey was chosen from 10 service dogs in a special vote. He will be paired with a vet by Veterans Day 2017. The voting took place among Oakmont’s eight communities, which offer everything from independent living, enhanced independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Whiskey’s specialty is PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) training, which helps him to provide non-aggressive protection. He can even recognize nightmares taking place with the person he is protecting. Often, those dealing with PTSD have a very difficult time sleeping; thus, he can help provide most restful sleep. Whiskey can be described as an extremely friendly dog whose trainers love him.

Guardian Angels is a non-profit organization established to raise and train medical service dogs. The organization has paired more than 180 service dogs with recipients 2010. The organization never charges recipients for their service dog.

Veterans Helping Veterans: Oakmont shows its appreciation to local vets

Oakmont Senior Communities will honor American Legion Post 253 and American Legion 18th District for their generous financial support in helping us pair a Guardian Angels Medical Service dog with a local Michigan veteran. This will take place at a special event on July 13.

Thanks to the American Legion, in addition to the fundraising efforts from our eight, local Oakmont Communities, we are closing in on our goal of $22,000, the cost for training and lifetime care of a Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog. Whiskey, a 2-year-old German Shepherd, was chosen among 10 service dogs to provide support to a local veteran.

Guardian Angels is a non-profit organization established to raise and train medical service dogs. Showing the high level of ability possessed by the group, Whiskey is specially trained to interact well with those experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The organization has paired more than 180 service dogs with recipients since its inception in 2010; the organization never charges recipients for their service dog.

 

‘Whiskey’ voted as service dog to be donated to a Michigan veteran

The results are in, and Whiskey – a 2-year-old German Shepherd – has been voted by our residents, staff members, families and friends as the medical service dog to be paired with a deserving Michigan veteran by Veterans Day 2017.

Thanks to everyone’s contributions, we are on our way to our goal of $22,000 needed to make this happen. This covers the cost of training through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, in addition to lifetime professional follow-up care and the cost of transporting him to his new home in Michigan. Approximately $17,000 has been raised thus far through our eight Oakmont Communities.

Whiskey was chosen for this program after being the top vote-getter among 10 service dogs. Oakmont’s involvement honors all veterans residing at our communities.

What makes Whiskey unique is his special PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) training, which helps him to provide non-aggressive protection. He can even recognize nightmares taking place with the person he is protecting. Often, those dealing with PTSD have a very difficult time sleeping; thus, he can help provide most restful sleep. Whiskey can be described as an extremely friendly dog whose trainers love him.

Guardian Angels is a non-profit organization established to raise and train medical service dogs. The dogs are donated with the goal of providing relief, assistance, independence and dignity to those in need of their special skills.

Many soldiers return home facing unique and difficult challenges including PTSD, traumatic brain injury and mobility issues. By unleashing the power of a medical service dog into their lives, we will help a veteran regain some of their comfort and independence.

It has been proven the presence of these medical service dogs helps veterans successfully cope with such challenges as suicide, chemical and alcohol dependence, higher divorce rates and general health issues associated with a sedentary or withdrawn lifestyle.

For more info about Guardian Angels, go to www.MedicalServiceDogs.org or call (352) 425-1981.