A group of Point Cook residents has teamed up with Altona RSL to raise money for support dogs for veterans.
Avington Lifestyle Village residents Phil and Patti Yarwood, Hank and Elaine Eykman and Kerri Ridgway are fundraising for the Defence Community Dogs Program, which provides highly trained Assistance Dogs to serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, who need physical and emotional support for mood, depressive and anxiety disorders, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Mr Yarwood said the team decided to support the charity given the large number of veterans that reside at the village in Point Cook.
“The program trains dogs to become a carer and mate for veterans who suffer from ongoing health issues such as loneliness, nervousness, depression and more seriously PTSD,” he said.
“With the support of the Altona RSL, we have been holding sausage sizzles at Altona and other locations in the west to accumulate funds.”
Mr Eykman teaches veterans art therapy at Altona RSL.
“My art classes help those who are struggling with PTSD, we see so many veterans who are struggling everyday,” he said.
The group has been running sausage sizzles and is also planning a gala ball at the village on Saturday, September 23.
The team is hoping to raise $30,000, which Mr Yarwood said will be a tremendous help to one veteran.
“The cost of each dog is $30,000, which begins from puppy training through to continued support,” he said.
“Our hope is to raise as much as possible for one of these incredible dogs and what their difference makes to a veteran’s life.”
Jennifer Pittorino
