Liberty, Glory and Patty: three dogs that can do more to help disabled veterans than just about anything. Soon, that’s exactly what they’ll be doing. In the meantime, they’re working their charms on people like TECO team members – who last week got the opportunity to play with the dogs at TECO Plaza as part of a fundraiser for Southeastern Guide Dogs, the organization that places dogs like these with veterans in need.
As the featured attractions at an event that included a silent auction cake sale and patriotic giveaways, the three dogs brought a unique (and low-key) energy to TECO Plaza, turning a space that typically sees people coming from and going to meetings into wall-to-wall smiles and happily wagging tails.
“In less than a year, Liberty, Patty and Glory will be assigned to one of our heroes – providing the freedom and comfort in times of stress, the eyes for those who lost their sight, or serving as the companion and life line for those who feel lost,” said Debbie Duvall Griffin, compensation analyst with TECO, in a message to co-workers who helped organize the event and welcome the dogs to TECO Plaza.
“In 2016, Southeastern Guide Dogs provided 40 of our veterans with a service dog,” she added. “All thanks to people like you who support our veterans AND love puppies!”
With the visit from the dogs, you could say this year’s Puppy Paws & Kisses effort at TECO showcased some new tricks over last year’s event. As we reported then, Paws for Patriots pairs veterans with guide dogs – well-trained canines that can help them navigate the environment while also providing comfort. The program, launched in 2006, identifies about 100 veterans annually who could each benefit from a service dog. This happens at no cost to the veterans and with no government funding.
Griffin had special thanks for those who took the ball and ran with it, so to speak, to make the fundraiser a huge success.
“Thanks to my PAWS team who helped make this event happen: Ricky Boyette, Tim Griffin, Monica Byrnes, Maribel Vega and John Peurrung with TECO as well as, the Southeastern Guide Dog puppy handlers: Debbie & Bob Clark with Glory, Carole Adamczyk with Patty and Loretta Holtkamp with Liberty. A special thanks to TECO’s Lorenzo Jones, who made three yummy cakes for the silent auction, raising $300! In total, we raised over $2,200 – which will provide freedom to those who gave us so much more.”
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