A new coalition of Michigan cannabis companies is working to expand a local therapy dog program for veterans in need.
“We had been piloting a small program for a few years now,” St. Joseph County Veterans Affairs director Stoney Summey said in a press release, noting that dogs can help veterans reduce stress, manage anxiety and help restore lost confidence associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. “Now, with these cannabis companies lending their financial support, we’re working to expand the program to more veterans across the state.”
The Michigan Veteran K9 Coalition was formed when Hilary Dulany, a private sponsor of the program and co-owner of Bloom City Sturgis and Aardvark Industrees, reached out to Redemption Cannabis CEO Ryan Basore and marketing director Nate Darling to discuss fundraising for the program. They contacted cannabis businesses across the state, asking them to donate $5,000 each to help secure more animals and fund the specialized training each dog requires. So far, the group has raised $25,000 from Aardvark Industrees, Redemption Cannabis, The Stone Depot, The Hempire Collective and Neighborhood Provisions.
The coalition’s goal is to help demonstrate the benefit of connecting veterans with emotional support animals in hopes the St. Joseph County program can be adopted statewide.
— Brian Beckley