Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of volunteer opportunities are there with Vets Helping Heroes? We are a newly formed organization and, as such we are not currently in a position to support an extensive volunteer staff. If you are interested in helping out as we grow, please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when volunteer opportunities become available. We greatly appreciate your interest and willingness to help. Our primary need at present is to raise funds for dogs. If you are able to do so, contributions are therefore the most significant manner in which you can be of immediate help. Currently we are registered to solicit funds in Florida, California and Ohio and continue to work to expand to other states. In addition, you can spread the word about our organization. We would be happy to send you brochures that you can hand out to anyone you think might be interested in learning more. I would like to raise or train service dogs. Can I help your organization in this way? If you have an interest in becoming involved in the training or raising of assistance dogs we recommend you contact Southeastern Guide Dogs located in Palmetto, Florida, K9 Navigators located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland or America's Vet Dogs located in Smithtown, New York or search for programs. What becomes of the dogs after they retire? Service dogs work 24 hours, seven days per week. As a result, and in consideration of the hard and dedicated work that these dogs put in on behalf of their owners, they are usually retired by the age of 10 or 11 years. At that time, the disabled individual will receive a new service dog, but may chose to keep the original dog for the remainder of its life since the bond between the disabled person and the dog - and the entire family - is generally very strong. How can I learn if I'm eligible and how do I apply for a quide or service dog? To learn more visit Southeastern Guide Dogs, K9 Navigators and America's Vetdogs, Inc. or search for a program. There are more links available on our links page When the government bill to provide funds for veterans to receive service dogs is enacted, will Vets Helping Heroes no longer need private donations? Not at all. At this time most of the money provided by the government bill is being applied toward research. The remaining funds will provide for a very small percent of the current need. Private donations are very much needed in order for us to continue our mission of providing a professionally trained assistance dog prepared by a qualified instructor to every disabled hero wounded in the post 9/11 conflicts. Does Vets Helping Heroes have anything to do with decisions regarding the selection of dogs or choosing which individual recieves a dog? Vets Helping Heroes is a fund raising organization. We donate raised funds to qualified training facilities but have nothing to do with the selection and training of dogs or who qualifies to receive a dog. We suggest you contact one of the programs we support Southeastern Guide Dogs, K9 Navigators or America's Vetdogs, Inc. or search for programs. What happened to Shopbest Cares? |