Canines for veterans named finalist in joining forces community challenge

Wilmington, NC – Joining Forces – Community Challenge announced on January 23, 21012 the top 20 finalists.  Canines for Veterans - Canines for Service is one of the 20 finalists.

Joining Forces Community Challenge recognizes those citizens and organizations with a demonstrated, genuine, and deep desire to be of service to military families. Joining Forces Community Challenge have been overwhelmed by the amazing work that is being done in communities to support our service members, veterans, and their families.  Entries were judged by a panel of judges from several hundreds of submissions and 20 organizations were selected.  Finalists' submissions will be judged throughout January and February 2012, when winners, including the People's Choice winner, will be announced on February 24, 2012.  

The community can visit http://joiningforces.challenge.gov/ to vote on Canines for Veterans submission once within a 24 hour period from now until February 23, 2012.

“We are absolutely honored to be a finalist in the Joining Forces Community Challenge," said Rick Hairston, president & CEO of Canines for Service. "This is an unbelievable opportunity to be recognized by The White House, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden for the work we are doing to support our veterans.”

Canines for Veterans, a program of Canines for Service, is a triple win; providing quality trained service dogs to our veterans at no cost, teaching prisoners new skills that they can use when released from prison and rescuing dogs from local shelters giving them a second chance at a new life.  Canines for Service, previously known as Carolina Canines for Service, empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater independence through the gift of quality trained service dogs. Through the volunteer efforts of foster families and military prisoners, the organization trains certified service dogs and then partners the canines with eligible recipients.  

In addition, Canines for Therapy and Canines for Literacy are specialized programs that have completed thousands of hours training more than 450 therapy dogs used in animal-assisted visitations at hospitals, nursing and group homes, schools and treatment facilities, and have helped approximately 600 children in our community improve their reading and communication skills. The organization just celebrated 15 years of commitment and service on December 1, 2011 as it presented its’ 50^th service dog.  Canines for Service has provided more than $6 million in assistance at no cost to its clients.

For more information on Canines for Service and its programs, call (866) 910-3647 or visit www.caninesforservice.org.