SEA GIRT – The Lt. Dennis W. Zilinski II Memorial Fund along with the Middletown Lions Club will present the fourth annual K9 Sgt. Denny Dog Walk at the New Jersey Army National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, 8:30 a.m., Saturday, April 30. The dog walk supports military working dogs and service dogs for wounded warriors.
The K9 Sgt. Denny project has provided funds to support the sponsorship of 28 service dogs. Twenty-one of the sponsored dogs have been trained and graduated while seven others are in the process of being trained and fostered. These dogs are used to support wounded service members who are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). These dogs are sponsored for $15,000 each. Service dogs are trained to help wounded warriors with the health issues they face upon returning home from combat since the transition back into society can be overwhelming. All of the service dogs are ADA approved and certified.
Nearly 600 military dogs are serving to protect our soldiers around the world. Much is made of the bond among soldiers, but the union between soldier and dog in a combat zone is just as tight. Funds raised from this event will go toward supporting the Military Working Dogs that are currently serving overseas. Often the role of the military working dog goes unrecognized. While their basic needs are met, a care package sends a message that both dog and handler are honored and remembered for their bravery by those back home.
The event begins with a special ceremony and features demonstrations by military working dogs and police department K9’s. There will be awards for most patriotic costume, biggest, smallest, farthest traveled, and most unique dogs. If you love dogs and love your country, join us at this fantastic event and help us support our men and women in uniform.
Pre-event registration is $25 per dog, day of event registration is $30 per dog. For information, please visit www.runwithdennis.org/sgtdenny.asp