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    ‘Operation Delta Dog’ Saves Homeless Dogs to Serve Veterans in Boston

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    Assistance dog giving help to disabled person on wheelchair.

    (Image credit: 24K Production/Getty Images)

    In Chelmsford, Massachusetts, an organization called Operation Delta Dog rescues homeless dogs from around the country to train and match up with veterans in need.

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    The mission of Operation Delta Dog is to help their local veterans and to save homeless dogs, reports CBS Boston.

    It is a link that is beneficial and humane for both parties, for both the dogs and the veterans who rely on them.

    The vital mission of Operation Delta Dog

    This non-profit organization was founded in 2013 by the daughter of a US military veteran, Trisha Blanchet. Funding consists entirely of donations and earned grants.

    That money will first be spent on rescuing homeless dogs across the country. Then the dog’s unique personality and strengths are matched to the needs of a veteran.

    From then on, both the dog and the veteran attend weekly training sessions where veterans train their dogs themselves.

    Operation Delta Dog foots the bill for all of the dog’s expenses for this full duration from finding the dog to graduating with their veteran. This can go up to $30,000.

    “Our service is 100 percent free for our veterans. It is fully funded by public donations and grants. So that’s the first hurdle we’re removing,” said Charlotte Troddyn, Executive Director of Operation Delta Dog.

    “Our veterans have done a lot for us and our country, and this is really something small that we can give back to them.”

    An important last resort for veterans

    There are other organizations that offer a similar training program to veterans — those struggling with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or sexual trauma that occurs to some while on duty.

    But according to Troddyn, their waiting lists can be “years long.”

    “We know that these people don’t have to wait years to get healthy. Their lives are literally on the line by the time they call us, so we get them in right away. We don’t want to say that they have to pay money as an obstacle to walk through our door,” says Troddyn.

    Veterans’ families tell Troddyn that their loved ones “came back differently, and we don’t know how to get them back,” and that’s what they want to help with.

    Meet Mike Geary, a prospective graduate of Operation Delta Dog

    Mike Geary did three tours in Iraq, then a fourth in Kuwait. On his return, he found it difficult to socialize or even leave the house. He says that Operation Delta Dog “gave me a new lease of life”.

    In January, Geary was paired up with Jose, who has calmed his fears and eased the burden.

    “He’s had such an impact on my life. I just wouldn’t want to go back to that life before Jose,” Geary explains. “Now with Jose I can walk around, introduce myself to everyone, just be more interactive with people. “

    Jose was a perfect match for Geary and the results speak for themselves.

    “We have all kinds of dogs with all kinds of personalities. So if they’re paired up with a veteran, we joke that it’s like Match.com,” Troddyn says. “When you see the game happening, you feel it in the room.”

    Both Geary and Jose will graduate in January.

    If you are a veteran in Boston, if you work at a shelter with dogs that may fit into the program, or if you just want to donate, you can contact Operation Delta Dog via their website.

    What do you think of the mission of Operation Delta Dog? Do you have a similar organization that matches veterans with service dogs in your area? Let us know in the comments below.



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