Service Animal Project (SAP) was founded in March 2012 by three volunteers with Foothills Humane Society.

Inspired by a magazine article, Ann Goodheart, Sev Bennett and Mary Ann Merrill saw an opportunity to bring together their passions for helping shelter animals and aiding wounded military members and veterans.

SAP identifies and assesses shelter and rescue dogs for characteristics needed in service dogs for wounded warriors.

Through SAP, the dogs are fostered in a volunteer’s home, receive basic obedience training, and are then transported to accredited training organizations, where the dogs undergo specialized training, prior to being matched with their warriors.

SAP receives no government funds and is entirely supported by private donations of goods, services and monetary gifts. All labor is voluntary and only a small portion of the donations received are used for administrative expenses (ex. postage). To donate, please make checks payable to “FHS Service Animal Project” and mail to P.O. Box 126, Tryon, NC 28782.

You can contact SAP via e-mail at: serviceanimalproject@windstream.net.

In less than one year, SAP has had five dogs graduate as service dogs for wounded warriors with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

This custom-painted rocking chair is being raffled as a fundraiser for Service Animal Project. The char can be viewed, and tickets purchased at the following locations:

Tryon Federal Bank in Columbus, now-June 17
Bank of America in Tryon, June 17-June 24
Bank of America in Columbus, June 24-July 3

Tickets also available at these locations June 1-July 2, 2013
Hare & Hound (Landrum), Nature’s Storehouse (Tryon), Head Too Toe (Tryon), Tryon Health & Fitness (Tryon), Saluda Veterinary Hospital (Saluda) and Frog & Swan (Tryon).

– article submitted by Sev Bennett