I will try to sum up our Home Depot experience with a *cheer* of their praises. Thank you, Gratitude, Generosity, Appreciation. Those words don’t even touch the tip of this Orange goodness…

Here is exactly what HOME DEPOT stands for to me …

H- Heartfelt. Home Depot and their employees are the most hardworking, heartfelt, handy humans that I know!! They have big hearts that truly help. Bringing a huge amount of hope to our Veteran community, homes and lives. Honorable humanitarians that made us very happy as well as humbled.

O-Opportunity- Winning Aprons and Actions competition like a Olympian (trying to sneak a “O” word in) was just the beginning. What to do with the overgenerous gift cards  was very overwhelming. Being opportunistic we wanted to make the most out of it. We came up with a outrageous plan than turned out OUTSTANDING! Including our new orange painted door…..OOOOOOOH yes!

M- Magnificent. A much better word than Awesome (which I said at least 1 million times that day) The whole day was magical.  I was floating through the most surreal experience.  The day went by in a flash, I was running everywhere feeling like I accomplished nothing. I literally crashed in bed that night, replaying every moment in my mind, smiling at the memories. I played the WLNS News clip, relishing in everything ,when the reality of this dreamlike day hit me. All of this wouldn’t be if Ben “Doc Stiggy” was alive.  There was Carrie (my sis-in-law) talking on TV about Ben, her only son,  “One thing a mother never wants is for her son to be forgotten….and here his legacy still lives on…” 

E-Emotional- I am a crier. I cry when I am happy, frustrated or sad. This week had me in tears for many reasons. One of the biggest moments was when Rich Bragiel made our Stiggy’s Dogs sign for us. He was here before helping with the prep work. We had talked and I mentioned the Caduceus on our Logo was important to me because it was the Tattoo Ben had on his arm (also stood for what he was doing). When he showed up two days later with the most Beautiful  sign he handmade for us, I was overwhelmed with emotion. When I saw that he detailed the Caduceus with gold to stand out, the tears weren’t stopping. There was a lot of emotions and crying going on and it wasn’t just me. So the next day Jerry Jones made a rule that “Fridays, were a no cry day at Stiggys”- that rule did not last long…. 

D- Donations- So many people, business, organizations  donated so much to us. Goods, food, tools, services and most important TIME. Huge shout out to Roybi (and all the tools we won and got extra donated!!), Geyer Farm Services, Walmart, Glidden, Jimmy-Johns, Beher Paint, Jonna’s, Tomato Brothers, GW Nursery, Howling Cafe, Alchins Disposal, Lashbrook Port a Potties, Buffalo Wild Wings Howell, Personal friends who spent a LOT of time doing anything and everything to help (Elicia, Bill, Doreen, Carrie,Liz, Dave, Dan,Bruce and his twin Bill). As a non profit we survive on contributions but this goodness went above and beyond.

E- Excellence. And this starts at the top with Home Depot’s CEO Frank Blake. A successful business is not because of it’s leader, but the group the leader has around him. Home Depot and what Mr, Blake has achieved is a prime example.  Home Depot encourages community service, donates to society, giving outside and within (employees love where they work). In this day and age where corporations are *cutting back* on everything, Home Depot does not. For their employees, they have store outings, contest, recognitions and rewards.  Mr. Blake, I am  in awe of you, not only for the all the successes you have created financially, your growth, or how much you give back to the community. But the way you have created pride in the workplace and throughout the community.  I want to be like you when I grow up ….

P- Poignant. Powerful messages from our Veterans. I could talk on and on about what we do and how it helps the Veteran. But one look at them with their dogs, and it speaks volumes!!! Terran Frye, who started ALL of this- walking into Home Depot last January  (talking initially to Jerry Jones), deserves a big thank you. Proving my point many times over of exactly how Hershey has helped. This whole day wouldn’t have been if you hadn’t had the confidence to walk into Home Depot that day. Jamie Gorm, who gives himself daily to help Stiggys Dogs. Teaming with new Veterans as they arrive, training with our dogs through the program, and working tirelessly to help us with this project.  Nothing was more powerful that day, than Mike and Barrett  (with his family) speaking to the Bloggers. Here was a Veteran, just 6 weeks paired, talking to a group of people about things he normally would never say. I saw a few teary eyed people leave that meeting. One of them Molly, Mike wife, beaming with pride over her husband. Eric Brown, who has the famous Patton, was the perfect spokesperson that day- being pulled by many people-talked too, petted and pictures snapping. This is a environment that is very *trigger* filled for our Veterans. None of that mattered to them then, their pride and love for their dogs and our organization shined more than sun that day.

O- Outreach  The outreach from our community and beyond was outstanding. Along with Frank Blake came a group of International Bloggers. 13 people from all over got to be a part of the Celebration of Service campaign with Home Depot. We were lucky to be one of the event that they were to attend. Meeting them and reading about their experiences here is a unique benefit. Building public awareness about not only Stiggys Dogs, but Service Dogs, PTSD and TBI has now spread through social med. The MSL Atlanta group (marketing group for Home Depot) also attended and brought with them a entourage of news media. Meeting Nick Schubert after talking to him months ago before the Aprons in Action contest, was a huge highlight! Paired by with meeting and talking with the wonderful Ty Hodge (Northern Division manager-my new friend)

*Bloggers who attended: Ashley and Jamin(Handmade Home), Dan (Military Avenue), Kierstie (Brown Paper Packages), Emily (Decor Chick), Stacy, (Not Just a Housewife), Lori (Witty Little Secret), Gail (My Repurposed Life), Rachel (Lovely Crafty Home), Kris (The New Normal), Diane (In My Own Stlye) and Trisha (24/7 Moms).

T- Team Work- The team starts and ends with Jerry Jones, Jessica Gearheart and Sue Samuels. Jerry Jones (affectionately known as *Angel* to me) has been the biggest supporter (and word spreader) for Stiggys Dogs. After successfully heading our last project (with Amy Armijo) Jerry asked Jessica to help with this one. Jessica and Jerry took on a HUGE project, this was more than landscaping and  home redecoration. This was working with ADA complacence, handicap ramps, redesigning bathrooms to add handicap showers….way more than I would have ever been able to accomplish. Jessica was so organized, the binder of receipts, drawings, etc (Black Bible)  she created was indispensable. Sue Samuels, Howell Store Manger, got  personally involved. Bringing with her a crew (and her wonderful parents) that she would NOT let quit until the project was totally finished. (Sue at 6.5 months pregnant insisted on tiling our bathroom floor!!!) EVERYONE, the volunteers from all the Home Depot stores, volunteers from other stores that did not have to participate. People who drove from afar and got a hotel the night before to be here (Sue DePalma). The family and friends who took time to help. A community of people coming together for the greater good. Building a better place for our Veterans and their families. Everyone together, as one big family. One big, growing, wonderful Stiggy’s Dog family….

I leave you with a *cheer* that Team Depot kicked off our event with:

Give me a H … “H”

Give me a O … “O”

Give me a M … “M”

Give me a E … “E”

Give me a D … “D”

Give me a E … “E”

Give me a P … “P”

Give me a O … “O”

Give me a T … “T”

What is spell? “Home Depot”

Can’t hear you? ”HOME DEPOT”

What are we going to do? “KICK SOME ASS!!!”

 And that they did!  …

See more pictures click here

You would never guess Gunny’s age…..the grey on his beard gives it away a little, but tell him he is that old? NO Way!!!

Tiger, his given name, was changed to Gunny Sgt. Tiger when he came back to us earlier this year. Although he listens and comes to many names; Gunny, Gunny FooFoo, Tiger, Shadow, Master Guns, Guns and the latest “Fun Governor”.  Yes, Gunny has taken over the role of Fun Governor, he dictates who is allowed to have fun, when you are allowed to and for how long.  He does this with people and dogs. If someone is having *fun*, it needs to go thru Gunny first.

I have said many times, I wish I could reproduce a million Gunny’s. Gunny is the most loveable, wonderful and smartest dog. Gunny goes everywhere with me as I joke that he is not our Spokes-Dog but my personal Emotional Therapy dog.

Happy Birthday my Gunny foo- you will never know how much I love you!!! Today I wish you a day full of Tennis balls, playing in the water and lots of love!!!

I wouldn’t think about what Stiggy’s was going to do with the money until we actually won.  I was still in a haze over the last Home Depot project, feeling dizzy from the amazing amount of votes we received during Aprons in Action. When Jerry Jones called to set a meeting, my bubble burst. Reality hit. I have been living in *stress-n-decision* mode ever since…..

$25,000 in gift cards from Home Depot was a big deal for Stiggys. Huge! I wanted to make the most of this and use every cent to better our program for our dogs and Veterans.  It took at least one full week to make that decision. We met with an architect (Kevin Adams) to discuss possibilities.  Bottom line,  the cost ( Township permits, drilling new sewer/septic well, getting electricity) to build a training center or Bunk houses, would be too much for us at this time.

Why recreate the wheel (building a building the size/needs of the current home) when what we had could be reconstructed to meet our needs. This permitting us to concentrate on our main focus, training dogs and paring them with Veterans.  After living together in the same environment since January, we knew what worked and what did not. I am happy to announce, with much thought and consideration,  our project with Home Depot…. *drum roll*

Making the home handicap accessible. Build wheel chair ramp on front home, turn formal dinning room into a first floor bedroom for Veteran to stay (when they come to train with their dog), reconstructing existing bathroom to include shower, first floor laundry area, finishing lower area for trainer- walk out/stairs with covered awning, fenced in area in backyard for dogs, and many more smaller projects…

Jerry Jones and Jessica Gearhart took on this huge undertaking. They have been incredible in organizing, helping/directing, planning, designing, and learning a LOT in handicap compliance/laws.  There is a whole team behind this, so many people that have worked on time/days off to make this happen.  I am so impressed and overwhelmed at the response from  everyone especially from Home Depot themselves….. BIG surprise was dropped in our laps a few days ago….

The CEO of Home Depot, Frank Blake will be flying in to personally meet us!!! (*pause* to let it sink in) I believe a News crew from Detroit, 12 world bloggers…… and so much more!!!!! Phew! Needless to say, the excitement has us walking on air and not sleeping at night! I look froward to my Blog post after Sept 20th…

I love the fact that we started out our Summer with in a sea of orange in the back yard, and we end it with a huge orange tidal wave!!!!

I write this post with a heavy heart. I ask you to take a minute to please read….

When starting out organization, we put into place polices and procedures for *retiring* a dog and Veteran paired. Knowing this will happen one day, and thinking it would be for obvious reasons (health, age).  Donna and I also talked about the long term effects from being a PSD dog and the lack of research. This is a fairly new classification of Service Dogs as we are personally setting standards as well as measuring the results. With that being said, I announce Troopers and Jamie’s retirement…..

There are times when doing the *right thing* is a harder choice. Taking in all three points of view, the organization, the dog and the Veteran…

As an organization, Donna and I are the voice for the dog. We have had to make some hard decisions based on what was best for our dogs. Our Veteran’s have support;  the VA system (health care, Dr.s, Therapist,) Lawyers, family and friends to go to when needed. The dogs have no one, but us.  And sometimes that voice needs to be heard. In this case, Trooper voice was saying: ‘I have had enough, I can not do this job anymore.’   Troopers actions were sadly supporting that voice; He was shaking, becoming withdrawn, fear in strange situations. When Jamie called to share the turn of events, his voice cracked, fear and sadness streaming through the phone….”Something is wrong with Troops” was all he could get out…

Taking Trooper immediately back to Stiggys Sanctuary, The next 48 hours of observation  was hard on all involved. The decision to make was obvious (retirement). Trooper needs to just be a dog, run and play happily with no more *work*. I called Jamie and asked him to come over to talk about it all. I was worried, the bond between Jamie and Trooper is so strong, what was this going to do (emotionally) to Jamie? The next hour of conversation was filled with emotion, the loss and sadness within Jamie was overwhelming. We all cried, for a days actually, but the end result and decision from Jamie was the most honorable one. I have never been so Proud ….

Written from Jamie Gorm:

Jen, Donna, and I had to talk something wasn’t right with Trooper, I was scared. I didn’t know what to do with my boy, there was something wrong and he didn’t want me for some reason (way out of character for him).  Jen and Donna explained that Trooper was trying to tell me the job was to much, he needed to just be a dog. Knowing this would kill me, I was devastated just as Jen and Donna were. I felt sick I wanted to die, I didn’t care at first- I wanted him to continue to work, he had to. I went home and a great friend called. That night I thought so long I cried my wife cried. I prayed for the first time in years I couldn’t remember how. I did my best. I fell asleep after a sleeping pill and woke up in the middle of the night missing Trooper. I reached over to pet him he was not there. I picked up my phone and opened my picture gallery and started looking at the pictures, the big brown eyes that open to an innocent beautiful soul. I started thinking about what would he want, he wants a life that is enjoyable as I do he needs to be happy most of all it hit me he saved my life, he gave me a reason to get out.  I owe this partner, he is so much more, he deserves to be happy. I have to do the right thing. I can’t be selfish with him he has earned the distinct honor of retirement and helping another veteran this time as a dog to run lay in the sun play fetch all day swim in the lake.
Trooper I love you and will never forget you.
Indebted
Jamie

 *Trooper is feeling good, healthy and happy as a dog living at Stiggy’s Sanctuary. He will be adopted out as a Companion Dog in the future.

*Jamie is currently fostering Gunny and we will be looking and training a new PSD for him soon.

Our Director of Training, Donna Fournier, is quoted in this Cesar Milan article about Psychiatric Service Dogs and the ever changing laws…..Cesar’s Way ‘Mental Health Service Dogs‘ (please read so proud!!)

In the past 2+ years we have worked hard to develop, create and train dogs as PSD for our Veterans. We have faced many challenges due to he lack of laws and over-site for Service Dogs, but we maintained a program that we feel not only meets but exceeds the standards of training that are actually agreed upon industry wide. Recently a bill that passed, stating that “all service dogs will soon be barred from VA Property unless that Service Dog  has been trained by an entity that is accredited by an appropriate accrediting body (that the government has chosen for us.)

This has been something Donna and I have pushed hard for, but not this way. There needs to be guidelines, laws, registration in place. We have witnessed first hand witnessed dogs on base and in stores that haven’t had the proper training needed, Veterans taking Companion Animals as using them as Service Dogs.  People unqualified training these dogs, and in some cases owners training their dogs themselves off the internet. This is a void, a grey area that needs attention. The need for Veterans connected Service dogs is so great. Our waiting list alone is 2 years. However, this new law pigeon holes our organization and others, demanding that ALL Service Dog organizations get accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI).

We have contemplated getting accredited through them before this law went into affect. However, even though we meet and exceed their requirements, the  $1000. registration fee  is more than we have in our bank account balance all year!  The ultimate goal of this change is clearly to make owning a service dog more complex, limiting our Veterans and quite possibly shutting down smaller organizations  (like ours). The result causing longer waiting list, creating a bottleneck for our Veterans that could mean life or death.  To deprive our veterans rights that are already clearly spelled out by Federal Law would be cruel. To do so by tightly restricting  the benefits they worked and, fought for should be criminal. To make the process so complex that assistance dogs are basically not allowed into VA hospitals onto military bases, is downright unAmerican.

Until this is resolved, Donna and I fight the battles necessary to continue our mission of “Rescuing One to Rescue Another”…

To read Donna’s full interview: click here