Operation: Battle Buddy

by Jon Campbell, indiegogo.com
November 12th 2012 11:59 PM
Stage 2 Launched
(View Stage 1 success here)

 
 
(View a breakdown of the expenses here.)
Why is Kenny raising funds instead of the VA providing it?
Find out why at nbcnews.com
 Ask Kenny questions or read questions others have already asked on reddit.
 
 

My name is Jon and my older brother, Kenny Bass is a disabled Marine combat veteran from the Iraq War. He served with the Marine infantry for the first 8 months of the war.  He was wounded during a counter-ambush patrol, he was hit with an IED, and has suffered PTSD and multiple other physical injuries due to his combat service since 2004. He was diagnosed with Behcets Disease in 2007 that has been linked to his anthrax and smallpox vaccinations. The Behcets disease causes him to suffer severe arthritic joint pain, chronic fatigue, neuropathy, painful sores, and multiple other debilitating symptoms. 

http://www.behcets.com/site/pp.asp?c=bhJIJSOCJrH&b=260548

He has spent the last 8 years of his life in treatment for his PTSD, and now is in need of a PTSD service dog that will enable him to leave his house again and begin rebuilding his life outside of his home.

PROGRESS
Kenny has been working with Mike Hale, Marine Vietnam Veteran, and owner of Instinctive Guardians in New York [ .com | facebook ]. Yesterday Kenny received the contract and was able to speak with Mike to nail down the specific costs involved, and timeline for the specialized training.   The costs will include traveling to Instinctive Guardians in New York to meet the trainer, Mike, be introduced to the available dogs and ultimately choose one that will then go to San Diego for further specialized training.  Prior to the completion of the BH training in San Diego, Kenny will travel there to meet with Mike Hale, and Mark Viera of Von Viera Shepards for training and the graduation ceremonies.  Upon completion of BH training, the service dog will then return to Instinctive Guardians in New York for the training specific to Kenny's specific PTSD related needs.  Then Kenny will travel to Instinctive Guardians to complete the final service dog team training, to include the American Red Cross' certification in Pet First Aid and CPR,  becoming a certified service dog team, and officially take ownership of the service dog. Now Kenny can return home, begin rebuilding his life, and start the recovery process. 

The service dogs available through Instinctive Guardians are West German Shepards with championship blood lines.  Presently, the four available service dogs at Instinctive Guardians are the grandchildren of Odin Vom Holtkamper Hof, and Hill Vom Ferbenspiel.  The grandfather, Odin, is the 2005 18-24 month Sieger VA1, 2008 VA2, and the 2008 Chinese Sieger VA1.  The grndmother, Hill, is the 2004 Sieger VA2.  These German Shepards not only receive the (CGC) Canine Good Citizen training, but also the (AD) Assistance Dog training, the (BH) Begleithund training (Traffic Steady Companion Dog), as well undergoing obedience testing by an impartial german judge and being graded accordingly.

See pictures of the available dogs here

These psychological service dogs spend years in training and are very expensive. Withouit raising these funds it would be impossible for my brother to pay for a properly trained service dog on his own.  Once he is paired with a psychological service dog, he will be able retrain himself to live a functional life in a civilian setting (through the aid of a service dog) and learn to lead more of a normal life again, not only for himself but for his wife and two young children.  The service dog would assist in bringing him out of flashbacks and help keep him grounded in reality, the dog would wake him when he is having nightmares, And it would especially help him when he is in public(he tends to get overwhelmed and angry), the dog would assist in creating a buffer around him in crowds, and allow him to feel more secure. A service dog will give my brother and his family their lives back. 

Any of the funds raised that exceed the expenses related to obtaining the service dog will be put towards his pursuit of specialized medical treatments(travel expenses to and from the national Bechets conference and to out of state Behcets Disease experts). Contributors interested in updates on kenny and his new battle buddy will have the opportunity to receive full access to a blog that will detail the process of their first meeting, the intensive training, the homecoming to meet the family, and their experiences together as they begin their new life as Battle Buddies.  The blog will include pictures, video, and details about Kenny's personal journey.   

I have spoke to my brother about the possibilities of obtaining a service dog and he believes that once he is paired with his new "battle buddy", that he will be better prepared to face the daily challenges that PTSD presents.   I believe that he made a sacrifice for his country, one that he struggles with daily and that his need is as important as any other. Help me show him that his sacrifice is important and deserving of our support.

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Original Page: http://www.indiegogo.com/kennys-battle-buddy

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