‘Home for the Brave’ helps shelter dogs prepare for service training
By Jason Emerson
editor
After years of fundraising and work, Clear Path for Veterans last week officially christened its “Home for the Brave,” a two-year project to construct a home that offers a veteran a long-term, onsite intensive training option to the Dogs2Vets program.
“This is a great example of how a community works together to support men and women who wear the uniform,” said Melissa Spicer, Clear Path Executive Director and Co-Founder, during the June 29 ceremony. “You can never grow and accomplish these things without support.”
The Dogs2Vets Program allows military veterans suffering from PTS (Post Traumatic Stress) or MST (Military Sexual Trauma) to train their own dog either as a service dog or as a general companion. The purpose of the program is to give the veterans and the dogs companions whose unconditional love and support helps both, according to program information.
Spicer said that when Clear Path was founded 2010 it was started with the Dogs2Vets program with the ultimate vision to one day have a house for program participants to live and train the dogs. Six years and $225,000 later, the dream has become a reality.
The Home for the Brave works with the Dog2Vets program by relieving the challenge of taking dogs directly from shelters and placing them with their Veteran partner. Simultaneously, it allows veterans in the program to mentor and give back to others what they’ve learned by living onsite.
A small efficiency apartment was added for participants of the program who maybe in immediate need of stable housing.
“Shelter dogs need at least two weeks to decompress from the shelter environment. Even the most resilient dogs need time to recuperate. Taking dogs directly from the shelter can be a challenge for a veteran just learning to train a dog,” said Spicer. “The Home for the Brave gives us the opportunity to get to know the dog and evaluate its personality and fit for the program. Our service dog program takes approximately one year to complete. Having dogs cared for right here, and providing a graduate of the program an opportunity to give back helps everyone involved.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony included contractors, donors and volunteers who made the project possible, as well as U.S. Congressman John Katko, State Sen. John DeFrancisco, State Sen. Dave Valesky and public service members from both Madison and Onondaga counties.
Manlius contractor Doug Klepper, of Klepper Construction, was the point person for the project and was specifically recognized by Spicer during the ceremony.
Spicer said Klepper was one of the first to volunteer to help when the project was ready to begin. “I have no problem calling people and asking for donations,” Klepper said.
Klepper ultimately gathered more than 100 individuals and local businesses to assist in the $225,000 Home for the Brave project, including organizations such as Operation Northern Comfort, the Electrical Contractors Association and the Home Builders and Remodelers of CNY, he said. Operation Northern Comfort sent six volunteers every day for two weeks to help frame the house; the Electrical Contractors Association had 10 to 12 members volunteer to wire the entire house for free; while members of the Home Builders and Remodelers of CNY simply told Klepper, “What day do you need us and we’ll come,” he said, choking back tears.
“Everybody said yes to this project,” Klepper said. “I was just the point guy.”
Clear Path for Veterans underwent a donor solicitation for the Dogs2Vets program with two objectives: continue building capacity for the program and eliminate the program’s foster element by using an onsite residence.
Among the many donors to the Clear Path Dogs2Vets program, members of Cazenovia American Legion Post 88 have given $20,000 during the past three years, all raised through the Post’s annual raffle ticket sale for a chance to win a foursome of golf at one of 18 different golf courses in the Central New York area.
Home for the Brave currently houses U.S. Army Veteran Mike Raith and his dog Blue. Raith took residency in January 2016, but he has volunteered with Clear Path for more than three years, including working as a trainer to help other veterans with their Dogs2Vets program canines.
The groundbreaking for the Home for the Brave was in April 2014 and the project was completed in January 2016.
For more information, visit about Clear Path for Veterans and the Dogs2Vets Program, call 687-3300 or visit clearpath4vets.com.
