Virginia Natural Gas, in line with their long history of supporting Veterans, donates to Paws for Purple Hearts to support Ohana, a Service Dog-in-training. Their generous $5,000 donation allows our Paws for Purple Hearts Virginia team to make large strides in Ohana’s training in preparation for her placement with her forever Warrior.

This donation will assist in funding Ohana’s training, care, and allow her to participate in our programs. Our signature Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® program teaches Warriors to train Service Dogs through weekly training sessions. We anticipate that through our sessions each dog-in-training will touch between 40 and 60 Warrior lives. This enables every single dog to make a significant impact in their two to three years before placement.

Hopkins Medicine reports that petting a dog helps to lower cortisol levels and interactions with dogs increase Oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy^® participants find purpose in the program and a variety of positive benefits like stress-release and companionship through interacting with the dogs.

Virginia Natural Gas strives to support organizations that support Active Military and Veterans through their charitable giving program. Through their generosity in supporting our organization, they have single handedly touched the lives of our Nation’s Warriors. Their support in our Service Dog training program will allow Ohana to continue to prepare for her placement and assist in touching as many Warrior lives as possible.

We would like to extend a massive thank you to our friends at Virginia Natural Gas for their extreme generosity in supporting Ohana! It is through the support of donors like Virginia Natural Gas that we are able to provide our programs and Service Dogs at no cost to our Nation’s Warriors.

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