PONTE VEDRE BEACH, Fla. – The nonprofit organization K9s For Warriors has opened its new 9-acre national headquarters that serves 192 warriors each year.
The group, based in Ponte Vedra Beach, pairs a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury or military sexual trauma with a rescued, trained dog.
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For three weeks, the veteran lives on campus with a trainer and other employees, who help him or her adapt to society, as well as learn how to take care of a service dog.
The veterans receive their own apartments with three other roommates and have free access to a dining hall, library, lounge and gym.
In order to apply, the applicants must be post-9/11 veterans with a PTSD diagnosis. Once they qualify, they will be placed on the one-year waiting list.
According to executive director Rory Diamond, the community has come together to help make the $6 million worth of construction and land a reality.
"Every bit of construction was donated," said Diamond. "119 subcontractors said they would donate their time and materials. It's incredible."
K9s For Warriors has already impacted 170 veterans, who received their service dogs after they finished with the treatment and training.
"I'm so happy I'm here," said Matthew Gregory, a past warrior and now warrior trainer. "When I first came through, I was in a very low point in my life. Receiving Falcon, that happiness, I wish upon everyone else. That's why I'm here. Busting my butt every day and making sure those veterans, those warriors have the same happiness that I had when I came here."