VIERA, FL (August 20, 2018) – Four-legged, furry service just got some help from the retired residents of Indian River Colony Club in Viera, the patriotic community with a culture of giving. On Saturday August 6, the charitable foundation for the neighborhood of military veterans presented a check for $2,000 to Paws for Veterans, a fast-growing Satellite Beach non-profit. Begun only eight years ago, Paws for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) organization that rescues dogs destined for euthanasia and trains them as service animals for placement with combat-injured veterans. Located at 63 Ocean Boulevard in Satellite Beach, Paws for Veterans operates in conjunction with the recently opened Paws Beachside Resort, which offers boarding, grooming, training and doggie daycare services to the public--with all proceeds benefiting the Paws for Veterans program. With facility expansion underway, the organization plans to help up to 20 veterans per month, rescuing countless more dogs from kill shelters and providing additional veterans with employment as trainers and staff.
Paws for Veterans executive director, Crystal Callahan is truly on a life-saving mission. A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests veterans with a service dog score better on mental health and emotional well-being metrics, with lessened symptoms of PTSD and depression.
"Donations funding Paws for Veterans means we can do our part in preventing needless suicides and allowing our nation's combat veterans and first responders a better chance at life," said Callahan. "Without donations from individual and organizations like Indian River Colony Club, we couldn't be successful at what we do."
Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club is known as "The Place Patriots Call Home." A haven for military retirees, the par-72 private golf course community has a patriotic culture and country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000, visit their website at www.IndianRiverColonyClub.com or like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/colonyclubinviera/.
PHOTO (PHOTO COURTESY OF IRCC): The Indian River Colony Club Foundation presented Paws for Veterans with a $2,000 donation to help combat-injured veterans. Paws for Veterans rescues shelter dogs faced with euthanasia and trains them for placement as medical service dogs. Pictured rear left to right: IRCC Foundation Board Member, Patricia Collins; IRCC CFO, Julie Roberts; IRCC Foundation Chairman, Skip Taylor; Paws for Veterans Executive Director, Crystal Callahan; Paws for Veterans V.P and Training Manager, Steven Kappes and "Brody" the service dog. Foreground: Larry Logan, IRCC Foundation Vice-Chairman. For more information, call 321-255-6000.
About Paws For Veterans -- Paws for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Satellite Beach, Florida. Established in 2010, Paws for Veterans provides our nation's combat injured heroes and first responders, who may suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and affiliated physical disabilities, with task trained medical service dogs as well as supplies, therapeutic group sessions, and natural treatment alternatives. The program delivers an all-around lifelong support system focusing on a more natural alternative to healing veterans and first responders' bodies and minds while at the same time saving the lives of shelter dogs that would otherwise be facing euthanasia. Each dog is rescued, trained in advanced obedience and medical service tasks, and placed with a disabled veteran or first responder. The program creates a win-win scenario where multiple lives are saved. The dogs are given a purpose in a loving "forever home" and the veterans, first responders and their families' quality of life is drastically improved through the caring assistance and by the healing power of their new canine partner. To donate or learn more about Paws for Veterans, call 321-425-4189, visit www.PawsForVeterans.com or like their Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/PawsForVeterans.
About Indian River Colony Club – Viera's very first neighborhood, Indian River Colony Club was originally conceived as a retirement destination for military retirees. IRCC began to take shape in 1986, its vision to create a private country club-like environment for members. Membership has now expanded to include non-military personnel who want the energetic, patriotic lifestyle cultivated by three decades of members. Still predominantly a haven for military veterans, IRCC maintains a culture centered on service to others. IRCC is a gated golf course community of nearly 800 homes on 453 acres in Viera, owned entirely by its membership. “The Place Patriots Call Home” enjoys 24-hour gated security, a generous maintenance package and a full complement of newly renovated and 100% debt-free country club amenities for active adults aged 55 and over, including an 18-hole, par-72 private golf course. The patriotic neighborhood was named one of the 2018 Top 20 Golf Communities in North America by Golf Course Home Network. For more information about Indian River Colony Club, call 321-255-6000 or visit their website at www.IndianRiverColonyClub.com.
