I felt like Alice in Wonderland and I fell down a Orange rabbit hole…. there was Orange everywhere.  All ages, all shapes and sizes, running around like crazy. There were Triplets (well, Twins and their sister) who lifted more and worked harder than most of the men! The boy twins, named Kevin and Adam (One person actually), who worked feverishly on every project.  People who did not know each other were working, planing, learning,and giving side by side.  Jerry Jones and Amy Armijo, were the White Rabbit; running everywhere leading people to and fro. Donna Fouriner, (Director of Training and my right hand) was the Cheshire Cat, following everyone everywhere grinning….The King of Hearts, was Brad Shaw (Vice President of Corporate Communications and External Affairs) had flown in for the event from Atlanta!. King Brad wasn’t there to walk around and shake hands, he was dressed to work and that he did!! Our Queen of Hearts Garden was built partly by the King himself! This wonderful glorious day ended with non other than a Mad Tea Party Stiggys style….leaving our Veterans, their dogs and our Volunteers to drink tea, laugh,  and reminisce. Everything ending exactly as the dream I played over and over in my mind. First thing I did the next morning was run to my window and look out……Yes, it really DID happen!!!!

*my speech I gave that morning

Thank you-

Wow…This all seems so surreal, and it may take awhile for it to sink in…

Welcome, to what will be Stiggy’s Sanctuary.  Here we will live, train our dogs and house their Veterans.

Our motto “Rescuing one to rescue another” starts here. Stiggy’s dog rescue shelter dog from local Rescues/Animal shelters, and we train them specifically for a Veteran suffering from PTSD and TBI. We have successfully paired 15 Dogs and Veterans within the two years we have started. It has been a long tough journey, an emotional personal one that at times seemed very overwhelming. Last year, Donna Fournier, our Director of Training and I split the year up, 50/50, living in a rented warehouse 24/7, training these dog and Veterans. Now this place had no shower, no kitchen…it was a sacrifice beyond our limits at times.  And one that was well worth the results we witnessed and the extended family we now have.

There are so many people that I need to acknowledge and thank:

Ben “Doc Stiggy”….. this is you, this was you ….where you grew up.  All the memories here, Scooter (his dog) buried here,….. continues to live on,  in your honor and sprint.

Carrie Castiglione: Ben  “Doc Stiggy’s” mother.  Thank you.. I love you.

My Husband, Joe Petre- my partner, my friend, and the backbone behind our organization. Thank you.

Jerry Jones and Amy Armijo- Team Captains- they worked their butt off for this. Jerry telling everyone who walked in the store; contributing too many other donations from other companies. I remember our first meeting…..all the things we were throwing out n the air..to create this….Look around Jerry and Amy, this is your baby girls, and you did GOOD! “e dedicate a bench “In Honor of Jerry Jones and Amy Armijo, and to the undying spirit of everyone that touched it and made this possible”

Home Depot: All the wonderful people we have meet and worked with through out this whole experience. Thank you for caring. We would like to we extended a welcome to our Stiggys family- you have earned it!

My Stiggys family.

Donna, our director of training, but much more- she is the right hand, maybe the left hand. Her dedication, motivation and love for what we are doing,  equally matching mine. We wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you- I love you.

Kim Saks- you are amazing.  Our growth and mine personally too, is because of you.

Faith Harris and DeeDee Reno, who I deserve to be here today but live far away….your here in spirit. Thank you.

Terran Frye- our Veteran, paired with Hershey, who started this all. Just by walking into Home Depot one day and starting a conversation with Jerry….

Our Veterans:  Whom I am honored to know. I have learned and grown from you, and you are  the ‘heart’ of who we are. Thank you for your Service.

Our Donors, supporters Volunteers who are here today. I most specially thank you. I look around and see all of you, and it gives me the strength to move forward.YOU by doing this, are the final part that make this come full circle.

I stand tall today, in honor of Ben and Proud next to a community that comes together to support our Military Veterans.

Thank you!

*Click here to Photo Album: Home Depot and Stiggys Dogs