I've been wanting to do this for quite some time but, really wasn't sure how to start obviously today I figured that out...I'm a disabled veteran just trying to make a difference...
Last year I began the process of getting a Mental Health Service Dog to aide me with my PTSD and during the process was approved and denied for funding it seemed all in one breath from the VA. SO, after the fallout I started to find ways to raise money to pay for "Suzzie's" training...I had lots of help from friends, family and my trainer whom I later teamed with to help other veterans in my position...since this summer I came across a way to help me therapeutically and also be able to begin a scholarship fund to raise funds. SO, Dingo-Weed-Desynz was born...DingoWeed comes from the adoring nickname for "Suzzie" and from my southern dialect which seems to lose the "L" sound in my translation of words...hence...DingoWeed, the Desynz part comes from me just being different and I liked how it sounded...finally the desyn is handmade leather leashes and holster being created for service dogs, pets, and folks with the proceeds being returned for supplies and a scholarship being created to help fellow veterans and service members because the VA does not offer funding for Mental Health Service Dogs to date to help those with PTSD.
Back to comment some more. From the beginning this time to thoroughly confuse you ;)
ReplyDeleteSo frustrating that the VA could approve then disapprove your funding. They should have stood by their original decision and grandfathered you in.
Pretty neat that you're still making your leashes 2 years later and doing exactly what you set out to do. That's follow through!
It just occurred to me though... if the VA had grandfathered you in, and you hadn't needed to find a way to fund your own dog's training, I wonder if you would have come up with this specific way to help so many others?
I think the VA should cover you ALL, but if they were going to take a stance, maybe the Universe chose that exact time, knowing your determination would lead to a way to channel your creativity and help out future Service Members.