The fifth annual K9 Sgt. Denny Dog Walk to support the Wounded Warriors Fund will be held on June 3. The event will start at 8:30 a.m.
The event, which will be held at the New Jersey Army National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, will help provide working and service dogs for veterans in need. According to the press release, the event will begin with a special ceremony and feature demonstrations by military working dogs and police department K9’s.
Prizes will be given to the dog with the most patriotic costume, the biggest dog, the smallest dog, the farthest traveled, and the most unique dog, according to the release.
Pre registration is $25 per dog, and $30 per dog the day of.
According to the release, The Lt. Denis Zilinski fund provides funds for injured veterans and their families. The donations then went to the Sgt. Denny Project, who has serviced 43 service dogs to date, according to the release. 33 of those dogs have already been trained and have officially graduated from the program. Also according to the release, each dog costs about $15,000.
The dogs are used to help veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or have Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). According to the release, nearly 600 dogs are used to help soldiers around the world. The Zilinski fund has sponsored over 60 military working dogs serving over seas, according to the release.
One service member has found a new furry partner and friend thanks to the Lt. Denis Zilinski fund.
After donations to the Lt. Denis Zilinski II Memorial Fund, Justin, a wounded war veteran, was able to receive Scout, a trained service dog, to help him get through his day-to-day functions. Justin has TBI.
Scout graduated on May 18, passing one last test before he graduated and was able to be certified under the American Disabilities Act.