Spotlight on Dogs For Our Brave
Christina Kimerle | Executive Director
Andy & Marylynn Gladstein | Co-founders
Paul Scimone | Head Trainer
636-288-1523
6244 Clayton Ave.
www.dogsforourbrave.com
At Dogs For Our Brave, our mission is to provide professionally trained service dogs at NO COST to veterans who have suffered debilitating injury or illness while in service to our country. Our goal is to use rescue dogs at every opportunity, thus saving two lives at once. In order to fully realize our mission without adding financial burden, we also provide a continuum of free support that covers all food, veterinary care, equipment, supplies, and pharmaceuticals for the life of the dog. Each dog will be trained to do the normal commands (sit, lay, come, stay), assistance commands, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) skills, and Assistance Dog International (ADI) commands. Some of these skills include opening the fridge to grab a water, turn lights on and off, and retrieve items. All our dogs also learn psychiatric skills to assist their veteran with PTSD episodes and nightmare interruption. Other commands will be taught that are tailored to each veteran’s needs.
Veteran Testimonials
We are always accepting veteran applications – the information and form can be found on our website:https://www.dfob.org/veteran-interest-form. We place service dogs with veteran’s coast to coast.
Corporal U.S. Army-Veteran, Simon Jackson: “Holly helps me every day with being a more independent person. She can pick things up, sense when I’m in pain, and support me to keep moving and ask for help if I need it. Since I’ve had Holly, I’ve been able to live a better life because I can be more self-reliant, and I’m no longer worried about falling out of my chair. She never leaves my side, and she is my constant support. I am forever grateful!”
Veteran Corporal United States Marine Corp, Chris Miller:“Zulu helps me perform daily tasks that I have always battled with since I sustained my injuries. She has changed my life with my family completely! Every day is now something I look forward to instead of any kind of battle I used to face. “
1st Sergeant U.S. Army, Chris Roseberry: “It doesn’t matter how long you have your disability; you always have your good days and bad days. Gabby has helped me brace, retrieve things, and push buttons to open doors. When I have nightmares, she has learned to hop on the bed, lick my face, and wake me up and she stays there until I sit up. She has been amazing! She and I are a perfect fit.”
Corporal United States Marine, Clark Cavalier: “Josie can tell when I am getting aggravated, and she will just nudge me until I pet her, and I calm down. She’s really good about calming me down. Josie is trained to pick stuff up for me or carry stuff for me. I call her my Christmas Miracle. She’s been amazing, just changed my life!”
Chamber Talk
What does chamber membership mean for you and your organization? Our chamber membership means increased visibility and support from our local community. The many networking opportunities allow us to share our successes, events, and partnership opportunities.
What is your favorite Maplewood or Richmond Heights Chamber business/organization? We love our friends at Airedale Antics!
