Jason Searls & Hawkeye of Leashes of Valor
We say it a lot, but it’s true: We’re here because of your support. And you show it in so many ways. Last week (10/10/22), Jason, a Marine Corps Veteran diagnosed with complex PTSD, shared how The Patriot Fund, Inc. is helping us change the lives of Veterans. Of course, his service dog Hawkeye was there to share the moment.
“It was an awesome opportunity to shake hands, look people in the eye, and say thank you for their support. I was able to say thank you not only for myself but for my family and let them know what their help and support mean. The event was full of fun, excitement, stress, anxiety, and old memories. I ran the full gambit of emotions which was fine because I had Hawkeye there with me for the entire ride.” – Jason Searls
Edie Dopking, PhD, Founder & Community Relations Director at Quantum Leap Farm
Your support has helped underwrite the following equine-assisted therapy services for Veterans and their family members:
- Therapeutic Horseback Riding Sessions: 77 sessions
- Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Sessions: 71 sessions
- Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy Sessions: 14 sessions
- Military Retreats: 16 Participants
- Family Fun Days: 1 Family Fun Day serving 70 Veterans and family members
- Total services provided to military Veterans and families in Q1 of 2022 = $48,410
Immense thanks to you, and to all our friends at The Patriot Fund for the opportunity to provide these life-changing services to our deserving Veterans and their families. Last week I gave a tour to a 25 year old Navy Veteran, Ben. He was very interested in participating in equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions but was concerned about the cost as he is currently unemployed. When I said our services are free for all Veterans, he wept. I told him free services are made possible by generous donors like you. Ben attended his first session today.
Jennifer Wilder, Director of Development at Warrior Canine Connection
Ryan Peters, NJ Assemblyman
Men and women who serve their country spend years of their lives protecting the safety and freedom of every US citizen. It’s nice to know that when we get home, there’s someone watching our backs. That’s the core of what The Patriot Fund represents. It’s a friend to every veteran and service member that is there to lift us up in our time of need and give us a hand up when we may not even know we need one. I couldn’t be more supportive of The Patriot Fund’s mission and its success in carrying it out.
Tom MacArthur, Former NJ Congressman
I believe we have a moral obligation as a nation to support and care for our veterans and their families. The Patriot Invitational and The Patriot Fund go above and beyond to uphold that obligation. This organization and event is dedicated to improving the lives of our veterans and their loved ones, while helping other charities that have that same goal. I’m grateful I was able to attend the Patriot Invitational and see firsthand how this event is impacting veterans and their families.
Bernie Flynn, Former President and CEO of NJM Insurance Group
Master Chief (SEAL) and Medal of Honor Recipient Edward C. Byers Jr.
I affirm that The Patriot Fund is a leader in the Veteran charity community. Their ability to forge authentic, provincial and enduring paths separates them from many other organizations out there. They do this by supporting programs including long-term educational investments for surviving children of fallen Special Operations Forces and equine therapy for Veterans who suffer internally. They embody SOF Truths of quality over quantity and most operations require outside support. I look forward to supporting them well into the future!
Lieutenant General Frank H. Kearney III
I had the pleasure of speaking at The 2017 Patriot Fund dinner and observed the Invitational golf tournament. This Fund supports several great organizations which support Veterans and their families. This event is a class act and is both exciting as well as heartwarming as you meet Veterans, gold star families and service members. The funds raised make a difference in the daily lives of the men, women and families who have served this nation selflessly and some in full measure. Don’t miss the opportunity to attend. You will leave the event feeling patriotic and inspired by the Veterans and service members you meet. Don’t miss it.
Mark Eberle, Army Veteran
I just wanted to take a moment and tell you what The Patriot Fund has done for Paws Healing Heroes last year. The $25,000 donation first blew me away and after we put the money to use it inspired me to do more for the Veterans we help with service dogs. We were able to provide five service dogs for Veterans with PTSD. We rescue the dogs then have them checked out with our veterinarian. The dog then is handed over to the Trainer for basic and specific training based on the Veteran’s needs. We order all of the equipment including ID and vest. Then, we have the Veteran train with the dog and it usually takes one to two weeks more. I now have a kennel being built with a 1-acre spot on a farm to train all of the dogs in one spot. The reason behind the kennel is the Trainer can only house one dog at a time and the kennel will allow 3-4 dogs at a time to be trained. In the near future, I will be paying one Trainer that can do 26-32 dogs per year at $50,000. If we pay per dog like we have been doing, it would cost us $80,000 to $120,000 for the same amount of dogs per year. This extra money saved can be turned into more dogs in the future. Thank you to everyone at The Patriot Fund. What an amazing thing you guys did for us!
Rick Yount, Executive Director & Founder of Warrior Canine Connection
We are honored and thankful to have the support of The Patriot Fund, an organization that is wholeheartedly committed to helping our nation’s Veterans and their families. This gift is not only a magnificent gesture of support for our programs, it’s also a testament to all this amazing organization is doing in support of our Service Members, Veterans, and their families.