Service Animal Project volunteers will speak at fun and learning night at the Congregational Church of Tryon on March 15.

Three volunteers of Foothills Humane Society here in Polk County founded the Service Animal Project (SAP) in March 2012. The founders 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. 

A light supper of pizza and salad will be served on Wednesday, March 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at the Congregational Church, located at 210 Melrose Avenue in Tryon. Parking is across the street. For more information, call 828-859-9414 or visit ucctryon.org.

– article submitted by Peggy Franklin and Ellen Harvey Zipf