Amanda's RRUFF Fundraiser

Every day, veterans and first responders in our community carry the invisible weight of trauma. While many people recognize the physical risks of service, the lasting impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other invisible injuries often goes unseen.

My dad served in the Air Force during Vietnam. Like most men of that generation, he came home and did what they all did: kept moving. There was no language for what they carried. PTSD wasn't even a recognized diagnosis until 1980, and asking for help wasn't part of the culture. You just buried it. Over the years, I have noticed that my Dad is calmer around animals. We always had pets. Looking back, I think they gave him something he couldn't ask a person to give him: presence without pressure. He never had a service dog. But I've wondered how different things might have looked if he had.

But what many people don't see are the invisible wounds that can follow. PTSD, anxiety, hypervigilance, and the struggle to return to normal life after years of trauma.

RRUFF Healing Heroes was created to change that.

RRUFF funds service dog training for veterans and first responders living with PTSD and other invisible injuries. These dogs are not just companions. They are highly trained partners who can interrupt panic attacks, provide grounding during moments of distress, improve sleep, and restore confidence and independence. A service dog doesn't just help someone cope. It helps them reclaim their life.

Unfortunately, that kind of training is expensive and often out of reach for those who need it most. Training a Hero/Dog Team requires up to $7,800 and takes 12 to 18 months of specialized instruction, including advanced obedience, public access training, and task-based support for PTSD symptoms.

This year, RRUFF Healing Heroes has set our boldest goal yet: funding 15 Hero/Dog Teams.

Through Big Day of Giving, our community has an incredible opportunity to come together and support the heroes who have served us. Every dollar raised helps remove the financial barrier to service dog training and brings us closer to pairing another hero with a life-changing partner.

When you support this fundraiser, you are not just making a donation. You are helping restore confidence, stability, and hope for someone who has given so much to protect our communities.

Together, we can continue supporting these heroes. One Hero and One Dog at a Time.