Randolph Teams with America’s VetDogs: Help Provide Service Dogs to Veterans
Over the decades, Randolph Engineering has continued to honor a strong military heritage. We offer durable eyewear built to the most rigorous military specifications around, but today we’re honoring our heritage in a new way.
America’s VetDogs is a premier assistance dog organization that provides guide and service dogs along with training to disabled veterans and active service members. For each pair of Randolphs purchased during our partnership with America VetDogs, you’ll help contribute to this cause.
We are honored and proud to be supporting America’s VetDogs
in their mission to continually assist our Military service men and
women.
– Peter Waszkiewicz
President and CEO of Randolph Engineering
Randolph Teams with America’s VetDogs
The service dog programs of America’s VetDogs were created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to United States veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to once again live with pride and self-reliance.
VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals.
It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of VetDogs’ services are provided at no charge to the individual. Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and community organizations.
For each pair of sunglasses purchased during our partnership time periods throughout the year, Randolph donates $1 to the charity. Randolph also encourages fans to donate directly to America’s VetDogs to further support this honorable cause.
America’s VetDogs: Learn More About Service Dogs
As part of Randolph’s initiative, we had a chance to hear about the unique personalities and experiences of service dogs.
See the below spotlight on four dogs and the veterans they work to support!
1. Galaxie
Galaxie has worked with his veteran Joe, a retired Navy Corpsman, for the past two years. Galaxie, a yellow Lab helps Joe by retrieving items, providing balance, as well as opening and closing doors and turning light on and off.
Galaxie is a constant, nonjudgmental companion who doesn’t treat me differently based on how I look. I am grateful for the difference he has made in my life – not only for me, but for my family.
2. Trooper
Trooper supports retired Army Sergeant Tyler daily, from providing counterbalance when Tyler goes up and down stairs; retrieve items such as a phone or cane; press accessible door buttons; and turns light switches on and off.
Don’t ever think that something that has happened to you defines you as a person. You can still be whoever you want to be.
3. Joe
Joe is Anna’s gentle giant. As a World War II US Marine Corps veteran, Anna was losing her mobility and independence. Joe was trained to brace when Anna needs to get up from a chair and has been trained to bring items such as a phone or her cane; he can also open her dresser drawers.
I want to go out more than I did before. He goes every place with me. I became an individual again when I teamed with my dog. I came back to Anna.
4. Mikey
Mikey is a special PTSD service dog that provides the support Chad needs. After retiring from the Marines after 20 years of service, Chad was feeling disconnected from people, including his family. Mikey is a constant supporter and provides support through his retrieval of his medication, nightmare interruption, and rest, when he lays his head on Chad leg to let him know that he’s going to be alright.
The connection I have with Mikey is unconditional. I don’t need to perform a certain way, and I don’t have anxiety about what he’ll think of me. To Mikey, I’m enough.
Watch the video below to learn more about how America’s VetDogs helps train service dogs and supports our veterans with disabilities.
Are you a fan of Randolph and have a service dog? Share with us on social media by tagging us and using #MyRandolphs for a chance to be featured! We’re always on the lookout for our fans, so follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.