JAVELAN Service Dogs Give A New Outlook On Life.

JAVELAN Service Dogs Give A New Outlook On Life.

Our JAVELAN Team recently visited the Beemer American Legion where they received a very generous donation of $10,000. Reporter Ashley Gaughan of the West Point News wrote the following article and with permission, we are sharing her story.

JAVELAN Service Dogs Give Veterans & Retired First Responders A New Outlook On Life.

Many veterans and first responders will testify that their JAVELAN service dog has significantly changed their life for the better. JAVELAN is a program of the non-profit First Responders Foundation based in Omaha. The acronym stands for “Jack Assisting Veterans Enjoy Life AgaiN.” Jack was the first service dog in the program when it started six years ago.

JAVELAN Director Mike Kraus, cofounder Bob Dean, and his service dog, Duke, visited the Beemer American Legion in February to share the countless ways the JAVELAN program can benefit veterans and retired first responders. Whether mobility disabilities such as paralysis, MS, stroke, amputations, being diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or physical disability, or requiring a diabetic or seizure alert dog, a JAVELAN dog can help provide services regarding any of these conditions.

Sharing His Story

Shane was one veteran who shared his story about his JAVELAN dog, MAT, through a video testimonial provided at the Beemer American Legion presentation. Shane worked in the Justice Department for 28 years and during his career he had been shot three times—the final time being the most harmful.

To help him overcome PTSD, Shane was connected with JAVELAN and was set up for the training program. Shane and his daughter awaited eagerly to receive MAT, Shane’s new service dog. However, during that time, Shane’s daughter was tragically killed.

When Shane did receive MAT, his service dog was able to help him not only address his needs regarding PTSD but also helped comfort him in the midst of losing his daughter.

Shane shared how MAT can sense when he has anxiety or isn’t sleeping, and is a constant companion and a comfort to him. “I cannot say where I’d be today without MAT in my life,” Shane said.

Shane’s story is just one of many regarding JAVELAN service dogs who have helped veterans overcome obstacles in their lives, including depression and anxiety, or triggers that inhibit their day-to-day ability to be a part of society.

The JAVELAN Training Program covers 3 main sections:

  1. Basic obedience: basic obedience training such as sit, stay, come, etc.
  2. Task training: training geared to either eliminate, reduce, anticipate, and/or distract the handler from their trigger, whether that’s anxiety in public spaces, cardiac/diabetic alert, etc.
  3. Public access: Handler & dog work in various public settings and environments together to handle crowds, travel, parking lots, malls, etc.

The Training Locations:

  1. Group training is currently held at the First Responders Foundation headquarters in Omaha, but is experiencing limited space, so contracted trainers may host the training classes at their respective businesses and/or other public spaces as agreed upon between the trainer and handler
  2. All trainers have their own businesses and many of them have physical building spaces where they can train
  3. Training can also take place in the Veteran’s/first responder’s home

There are 22 veterans every single day taking their lives in the United States.

During his presentation Kraus noted, “There are 22 veterans every single day taking their lives in the United States. So 22 a day—every single day. We believe that through service dogs, we can help bring that number down to zero.”

All a veteran or retired first responder needs to do to apply to the program is have a letter from a medical provider stating that a service dog would benefit them. For veterans, a copy of their DD-214, or Military ID, or VA ID card is required. First responders are asked to list their previous department and years of service on the application form. There is a $25 application fee with the submission.

JAVELAN assists with providing service dogs

JAVELAN assists with providing a dog for the veteran or retired first responder. Shelter or rescue dogs are used whenever possible, and typically labs and German shepherds respond well to the training, but any breed of dog can go through the training program. A veteran or retired first responder can also supply their own dog.

The retired first responder or veteran, referred to as the handler, is essential to the training

The retired first responder or veteran, referred to as the handler, participates in the training of the dog. The handler is essential to the training from day one as he or she learns from the trainer how to train the dog.

The training program is at no cost to the veteran or retired first responder outside of the $25 application fee. After that, the only costs involved to the handler are the typical costs it takes to care for a dog. Once a veteran or retired first responder applies to the JAVELAN program they are set up with an orientation date, which is held once a quarter. The teams then begin their eight-week training course, once a week, for two hours.

The cost per team is about $5,000

Thanks to fundraising efforts and donations, JAVELAN is able to provide training services at a fraction of the cost of typical training programs. The cost per team is about $5,000 for training and needed supplies, much lower than many other training programs that often exceed $25,000. JAVELAN also offers lifetime support for the recipient of the dog.

Kraus and Dean shared that JAVELAN has grown exponentially since its start. JAVELAN was able to graduate 11 new teams last year thanks to a donation given by the Beemer American Legion. The organization had originally planned to train six teams per year and that number has more than tripled with a current graduation number of 103 teams.“If you do the math, that’s pretty astonishing,” Kraus said, adding that it shows there is a need for this program.

Extending the program to Gold Star families and spouses of veterans or first responders

Kraus shared that JAVELAN plans to extend the training program to Gold Star families and spouses of veterans or first responders. Additionally, they are soon adding training locations to Norfolk, Kearney, Grand Island, and parts of Iowa. Beemer American Legion members Al Courser, Vaughn Beed, and Charlie Toelle shared that anyone can reach out to them if they could personally benefit from a JAVELAN service dog or if they know of anyone else that could benefit from the program.

“This is exciting to us,” Dean said. “When we come to the Legions and the VFW’s and talk more about what JAVELAN does, it [opens up more opportunities] because we know there’s a lot of veterans that we can help.”

A veteran or retired first responder can apply to JAVELAN here

Anyone with questions about their eligibility for the JAVELAN program can contact JAVELAN at 402-218-1234, option #4, or email JAVELAN@firstrespondersfoundation.org.

JAVELAN Service Dogs Give A New Outlook On Life.

Our JAVELAN Team recently visited the Beemer American Legion where they received a very generous donation of $10,000. Reporter Ashley Gaughan of the West Point News wrote the following article and with permission, we are sharing her story.

JAVELAN Service Dogs Give Veterans & Retired First Responders A New Outlook On Life.

Many veterans and first responders will testify that their JAVELAN service dog has significantly changed their life for the better. JAVELAN is a program of the non-profit First Responders Foundation based in Omaha. The acronym stands for “Jack Assisting Veterans Enjoy Life AgaiN.” Jack was the first service dog in the program when it started six years ago.

JAVELAN Director Mike Kraus, cofounder Bob Dean, and his service dog, Duke, visited the Beemer American Legion in February to share the countless ways the JAVELAN program can benefit veterans and retired first responders. Whether mobility disabilities such as paralysis, MS, stroke, amputations, being diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or physical disability, or requiring a diabetic or seizure alert dog, a JAVELAN dog can help provide services regarding any of these conditions.

Sharing His Story

Shane was one veteran who shared his story about his JAVELAN dog, MAT, through a video testimonial provided at the Beemer American Legion presentation. Shane worked in the Justice Department for 28 years and during his career he had been shot three times—the final time being the most harmful.

To help him overcome PTSD, Shane was connected with JAVELAN and was set up for the training program. Shane and his daughter awaited eagerly to receive MAT, Shane’s new service dog. However, during that time, Shane’s daughter was tragically killed.

When Shane did receive MAT, his service dog was able to help him not only address his needs regarding PTSD but also helped comfort him in the midst of losing his daughter.

Shane shared how MAT can sense when he has anxiety or isn’t sleeping, and is a constant companion and a comfort to him. “I cannot say where I’d be today without MAT in my life,” Shane said.

Shane’s story is just one of many regarding JAVELAN service dogs who have helped veterans overcome obstacles in their lives, including depression and anxiety, or triggers that inhibit their day-to-day ability to be a part of society.

The JAVELAN Training Program covers 3 main sections:

  1. Basic obedience: basic obedience training such as sit, stay, come, etc.
  2. Task training: training geared to either eliminate, reduce, anticipate, and/or distract the handler from their trigger, whether that’s anxiety in public spaces, cardiac/diabetic alert, etc.
  3. Public access: Handler & dog work in various public settings and environments together to handle crowds, travel, parking lots, malls, etc.

The Training Locations:

  1. Group training is currently held at the First Responders Foundation headquarters in Omaha, but is experiencing limited space, so contracted trainers may host the training classes at their respective businesses and/or other public spaces as agreed upon between the trainer and handler
  2. All trainers have their own businesses and many of them have physical building spaces where they can train
  3. Training can also take place in the Veteran’s/first responder’s home

There are 22 veterans every single day taking their lives in the United States.

During his presentation Kraus noted, “There are 22 veterans every single day taking their lives in the United States. So 22 a day—every single day. We believe that through service dogs, we can help bring that number down to zero.”

All a veteran or retired first responder needs to do to apply to the program is have a letter from a medical provider stating that a service dog would benefit them. For veterans, a copy of their DD-214, or Military ID, or VA ID card is required. First responders are asked to list their previous department and years of service on the application form. There is a $25 application fee with the submission.

JAVELAN assists with providing service dogs

JAVELAN assists with providing a dog for the veteran or retired first responder. Shelter or rescue dogs are used whenever possible, and typically labs and German shepherds respond well to the training, but any breed of dog can go through the training program. A veteran or retired first responder can also supply their own dog.

The retired first responder or veteran, referred to as the handler, is essential to the training

The retired first responder or veteran, referred to as the handler, participates in the training of the dog. The handler is essential to the training from day one as he or she learns from the trainer how to train the dog.

The training program is at no cost to the veteran or retired first responder outside of the $25 application fee. After that, the only costs involved to the handler are the typical costs it takes to care for a dog. Once a veteran or retired first responder applies to the JAVELAN program they are set up with an orientation date, which is held once a quarter. The teams then begin their eight-week training course, once a week, for two hours.

The cost per team is about $5,000

Thanks to fundraising efforts and donations, JAVELAN is able to provide training services at a fraction of the cost of typical training programs. The cost per team is about $5,000 for training and needed supplies, much lower than many other training programs that often exceed $25,000. JAVELAN also offers lifetime support for the recipient of the dog.

Kraus and Dean shared that JAVELAN has grown exponentially since its start. JAVELAN was able to graduate 11 new teams last year thanks to a donation given by the Beemer American Legion. The organization had originally planned to train six teams per year and that number has more than tripled with a current graduation number of 103 teams.“If you do the math, that’s pretty astonishing,” Kraus said, adding that it shows there is a need for this program.

Extending the program to Gold Star families and spouses of veterans or first responders

Kraus shared that JAVELAN plans to extend the training program to Gold Star families and spouses of veterans or first responders. Additionally, they are soon adding training locations to Norfolk, Kearney, Grand Island, and parts of Iowa. Beemer American Legion members Al Courser, Vaughn Beed, and Charlie Toelle shared that anyone can reach out to them if they could personally benefit from a JAVELAN service dog or if they know of anyone else that could benefit from the program.

“This is exciting to us,” Dean said. “When we come to the Legions and the VFW’s and talk more about what JAVELAN does, it [opens up more opportunities] because we know there's a lot of veterans that we can help.”

A veteran or retired first responder can apply to JAVELAN here

Anyone with questions about their eligibility for the JAVELAN program can contact JAVELAN at 402-218-1234, option #4, or email JAVELAN@firstrespondersfoundation.org.

JAVELAN Service Dogs Give A New Outlook On Life.

Our JAVELAN Team recently visited the Beemer American Legion where they received a very generous donation of $10,000. Reporter Ashley Gaughan of the West Point News wrote the following article and with permission, we are sharing her story.

JAVELAN Service Dogs Give Veterans & Retired First Responders A New Outlook On Life.

Many veterans and first responders will testify that their JAVELAN service dog has significantly changed their life for the better. JAVELAN is a program of the non-profit First Responders Foundation based in Omaha. The acronym stands for “Jack Assisting Veterans Enjoy Life AgaiN.” Jack was the first service dog in the program when it started six years ago.

JAVELAN Director Mike Kraus, cofounder Bob Dean, and his service dog, Duke, visited the Beemer American Legion in February to share the countless ways the JAVELAN program can benefit veterans and retired first responders. Whether mobility disabilities such as paralysis, MS, stroke, amputations, being diagnosed with PTSD, TBI, or physical disability, or requiring a diabetic or seizure alert dog, a JAVELAN dog can help provide services regarding any of these conditions.

Sharing His Story

Shane was one veteran who shared his story about his JAVELAN dog, MAT, through a video testimonial provided at the Beemer American Legion presentation. Shane worked in the Justice Department for 28 years and during his career he had been shot three times—the final time being the most harmful.

To help him overcome PTSD, Shane was connected with JAVELAN and was set up for the training program. Shane and his daughter awaited eagerly to receive MAT, Shane’s new service dog. However, during that time, Shane’s daughter was tragically killed.

When Shane did receive MAT, his service dog was able to help him not only address his needs regarding PTSD but also helped comfort him in the midst of losing his daughter.

Shane shared how MAT can sense when he has anxiety or isn’t sleeping, and is a constant companion and a comfort to him. “I cannot say where I’d be today without MAT in my life,” Shane said.

Shane’s story is just one of many regarding JAVELAN service dogs who have helped veterans overcome obstacles in their lives, including depression and anxiety, or triggers that inhibit their day-to-day ability to be a part of society.

The JAVELAN Training Program covers 3 main sections:

  1. Basic obedience: basic obedience training such as sit, stay, come, etc.
  2. Task training: training geared to either eliminate, reduce, anticipate, and/or distract the handler from their trigger, whether that’s anxiety in public spaces, cardiac/diabetic alert, etc.
  3. Public access: Handler & dog work in various public settings and environments together to handle crowds, travel, parking lots, malls, etc.

The Training Locations:

  1. Group training is currently held at the First Responders Foundation headquarters in Omaha, but is experiencing limited space, so contracted trainers may host the training classes at their respective businesses and/or other public spaces as agreed upon between the trainer and handler
  2. All trainers have their own businesses and many of them have physical building spaces where they can train
  3. Training can also take place in the Veteran’s/first responder’s home

There are 22 veterans every single day taking their lives in the United States.

During his presentation Kraus noted, “There are 22 veterans every single day taking their lives in the United States. So 22 a day—every single day. We believe that through service dogs, we can help bring that number down to zero.”

All a veteran or retired first responder needs to do to apply to the program is have a letter from a medical provider stating that a service dog would benefit them. For veterans, a copy of their DD-214, or Military ID, or VA ID card is required. First responders are asked to list their previous department and years of service on the application form. There is a $25 application fee with the submission.

JAVELAN assists with providing service dogs

JAVELAN assists with providing a dog for the veteran or retired first responder. Shelter or rescue dogs are used whenever possible, and typically labs and German shepherds respond well to the training, but any breed of dog can go through the training program. A veteran or retired first responder can also supply their own dog.

The retired first responder or veteran, referred to as the handler, is essential to the training

The retired first responder or veteran, referred to as the handler, participates in the training of the dog. The handler is essential to the training from day one as he or she learns from the trainer how to train the dog.

The training program is at no cost to the veteran or retired first responder outside of the $25 application fee. After that, the only costs involved to the handler are the typical costs it takes to care for a dog. Once a veteran or retired first responder applies to the JAVELAN program they are set up with an orientation date, which is held once a quarter. The teams then begin their eight-week training course, once a week, for two hours.

The cost per team is about $5,000

Thanks to fundraising efforts and donations, JAVELAN is able to provide training services at a fraction of the cost of typical training programs. The cost per team is about $5,000 for training and needed supplies, much lower than many other training programs that often exceed $25,000. JAVELAN also offers lifetime support for the recipient of the dog.

Kraus and Dean shared that JAVELAN has grown exponentially since its start. JAVELAN was able to graduate 11 new teams last year thanks to a donation given by the Beemer American Legion. The organization had originally planned to train six teams per year and that number has more than tripled with a current graduation number of 103 teams.“If you do the math, that’s pretty astonishing,” Kraus said, adding that it shows there is a need for this program.

Extending the program to Gold Star families and spouses of veterans or first responders

Kraus shared that JAVELAN plans to extend the training program to Gold Star families and spouses of veterans or first responders. Additionally, they are soon adding training locations to Norfolk, Kearney, Grand Island, and parts of Iowa. Beemer American Legion members Al Courser, Vaughn Beed, and Charlie Toelle shared that anyone can reach out to them if they could personally benefit from a JAVELAN service dog or if they know of anyone else that could benefit from the program.

“This is exciting to us,” Dean said. “When we come to the Legions and the VFW’s and talk more about what JAVELAN does, it [opens up more opportunities] because we know there's a lot of veterans that we can help.”

A veteran or retired first responder can apply to JAVELAN here

Anyone with questions about their eligibility for the JAVELAN program can contact JAVELAN at 402-218-1234, option #4, or email JAVELAN@firstrespondersfoundation.org.