Nonprofits in the area help veterans get therapy dogs

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Nonprofits in the area have found a possible solution to help veterans in need.

Veterans meet once a week at Richard’s Coffee Shop in Mooresville to get a sense of community.

Jacqueline Grace, with the nonprofit Healing Heroes, uses it as a hub to connect with service members in need of critical services.

“There are major gaps and we’re seeing an epidemic with the suicide rates,” Grace said.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reported that former service members are more than twice at risk of taking their own lives when compared to people who didn’t serve.

But Tom Davis with Veterans Stand Down says there is a solution: dogs.

Michael Urueta, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said he knows this firsthand.

Urueta said he struggled with PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts before he got his service dog Kona five years ago.

“She’s able to calm me down. She’s great. It’s wonderful having her,” he said.

Federal lawmakers noticed the possibilities including Senator-elect Ted Budd who helped introduce the Paws Act last year.

The act requires the VA to provide specially trained dogs to veterans with mental health conditions. But veterans will have to wait an average of two years to get a dog, according to Healing Heroes.

“The process is ridiculous,” Ureta said. “There are too many hands in the pot. I think it needs to be streamlined.”

But the nonprofits wanted to ensure Christmas came early for one veteran. Tim Gerald thought he was applying for a service dog but private donations helped him get a canine earlier than expected.

Davis said he hopes this method becomes a template for other communities with struggling vets.

“We’re going to do our own program. We’re tired of waiting,” he said.

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