1. For the team project aspect of this course, your team will develop an argumentative essay that proposes supporting a charity/social service organization of your choice with time and/or money. For more information about argumentative essays, visit this page from the Purdue OWL:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/essay_writing/argumentative_essays.html
2. Your argumentative essay will have four parts: 1) Introduction; 2) Background of the organization; 3) Activities of the organization; and 4) Conclusion.
3. In the Introduction, you will provide an overview of the organization of your choice and the issue (s) it addresses; in the Background section, you will discuss specific details about the organization (history, membership, etc.); in the Activities section, you will describe current projects the organization is working on; and in the Conclusion section, you will explain why the reader should support the organization either by donating time or money.
4. Your argumentative essay will require the contribution of at least two (2) pages per team member
5. It should be prepared according APA style (7th edition), include in-text citations and a references list, and not contain any plagiarized materials.
Background of the organization (1st member)
K9 For Warriors is a strong program dedicated to veterans who suffer from mental trauma to include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), brain injuries, and suicidal ideation. The idea behind this organization is to help prevent veteran suicide while also saving the lives of dogs and giving both a new purpose in life. According to the organization, they have already saved the lives of over 2,000 dogs to help make a difference in a veteran’s life.
After Shari Duval’s son, Brett, returned from serving in Iraq with PTSD, she observed him interacting with his dog and realized he was more himself. Afterwards, Shari invested a majority of her time and money in creating a program that can help save the lives of dogs and veterans suffering from mental trauma. Shari founded K9 For Warriors in 2011 and focused on rescuing dogs from shelters and transforming them into service dogs through rigorous consistent training. Shari knew that most doctors wouldn’t be able to make an impact on veteran’s mental health but knew that pairing a service dog can as she witnessed with her son, Brett.
Shari Duval made it her life’s purpose to not only help veteran’s suffering from PTSD but to also save and transform shelter dogs into service dogs. Her organization became the largest service dog program in the United States to help combat veteran suicide. Unfortunately, Shari passed away in 2021 due to cancer, nonetheless she had made a huge impact on thousands of lives from dogs to veterans.
2nd member
Mission of the Organization
K9’s for Warriors is dedicated to transforming the lives of both veterans and recue dogs by pairing them together for a mission of healing, support, and companionship. Every day, countless pf veterans return home with invisible wounds of war post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, and emotional trauma that makes daily life a challenge. At the same time, thousands of shelter dogs face euthanasia simply because they lack a home. K9’s for Warriors bridges these two struggles by rescuing and training shelter dogs to become highly skilled service animals, giving them a second chance at life while providing veterans with the support they need to regain confidence, independence, and emotional stability.
This program ensures that each veteran and dog team undergo extensive training, creating a lasting and meaningful partnership that fosters healing. By providing veterans with a loyal companion trained to help with anxiety, nightmares, and emotional distress, the program empowers them to rebuild their lives and reconnect with their families and communities. The impact of K9’s for Warriors goes beyond just the individuality helps reduce veteran suicide rates, eases the transition to civilian life, and brings awareness to the struggles that many of our hero’s faces. Through generous donations and dedicated volunteers, this program can continue this life-changing mission. By supporting K9’s for Warriors, you are not just helping a veteran or saving a dog, you are changing two lives and creating a future filled with hope, resilience, and purpose.
3rd member
Activities of the organization
K9s For Warriors is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST). The organization provides trained service dogs to veterans in need, aiming to improve their quality of life and help them regain independence. Through various activities, K9s For Warriors has become a leading advocate for both veteran rehabilitation and the rescue of shelter dogs.
One of the primary activities of K9s For Warriors is the selection and training of service dogs. The organization primarily rescues dogs from high-kill shelters and trains them to become service animals. These dogs undergo rigorous training, including basic obedience, task-specific skills, and socialization to prepare them for the challenges of assisting veterans. Training covers tasks such as interrupting anxiety episodes, waking veterans from nightmares, and providing a calming presence in stressful situations.
Another key aspect of K9s For Warriors’ operations is its warrior training program. Veterans accepted into the program undergo a three-week in-house training session at the organization’s facility. During this period, they are paired with their service dog and receive instruction on handling and bonding with their new companion. The program fosters trust and teamwork between the warrior and the dog, equipping veterans with the necessary skills to integrate their service dog into daily life effectively.
Beyond training, K9s For Warriors actively engages in advocacy and public awareness efforts. The organization promotes legislative initiatives to secure rights and accessibility for service dog teams and educates the public about PTSD and the benefits of service animals. Additionally, K9s For Warriors conducts community outreach programs, fundraising events, and partnerships with sponsors to support its mission.
Through these activities, K9s For Warriors not only saves the lives of countless rescue dogs but also transforms the lives of veterans struggling with mental health challenges. By offering companionship, security, and renewed hope, the organization plays a vital role in the rehabilitation and reintegration of those who have served the nation.
me as a 4th member I want to talk about the importance of supporting K9s For warriors, there is another person doing the conclusion. should be 2 pages long
