Kris Watts, an accounting manager at Neal Land and Neighborhoods, is making a difference for veterans in Manatee and Sarasota counties through her passion for service dogs and commitment to giving back. Inspired by her son, a combat veteran living with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury, Watts has dedicated her time to volunteering with Dogs Inc.
The Palmetto-based nonprofit provides service dogs to veterans at no cost.
Thanks to Neal Communities’ “Plan for Giving” initiative, Watts secured a $5,000 donation to fund a service dog for a veteran. Dogs Inc. is unique in North America for offering highly trained guide and service dogs, lifetime alumni support, premium dog food, and preventive veterinary care — all free of charge.
“My son is a combat Veteran who has worked incredibly hard to adapt to his new normal, dealing with PTSD/traumatic brain injury,” she says. “I’m so proud of him. I don’t know a better way to say it except these guys carry the burden of war for all of us. I don’t know that many realize the cost. It’s a lifetime – not just a few years. Knowing many of these dogs go to provide relief and improve the lives of veterans – all at no cost to them – makes the time I spend at Dogs Inc. all the richer. I am so impressed with the whole mission of Dogs Inc. and very proud to get to be a small part of their team,” Watts said.
“It’s incredible to see how these dogs help veterans adapt to their ‘new normal’ and improve their quality of life.”
Veterans receiving a service dog undergo a two-week training at the Dogs Inc. campus, where they are matched with a dog trained in advanced skills to assist with PTSD symptoms and related challenges.
Watts, who began volunteering with the nonprofit after the loss of her beloved lab, says she’s proud to work for a company that values employee-led philanthropy.
For more information about Dogs Inc. visit https://dogsinc.org.
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