The folks at MA Cares® go the extra mile to make a positive impact on our community and to assist those in need. We work with various charities and non-profit groups to help enrich the lives of others, but rarely do we come across a group as unique and as inspirational as Patriot Rovers.
This amazing non-profit organization is committed to providing service dogs to help our military veterans cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and the MA Cares team is proud to be joining forces with this remarkable group.
While there are many programs that provide service dogs to veterans who’ve returned home with physical impairments, there are very few programs out there that are focused on providing service dogs to veterans who suffer from PTSD. David Cantara realized this, and in October 2010 he founded Patriot Rovers to help fill this tremendous need. While providing this key service is critical to the mission of Patriot Rovers, their unique organization does so much more.
The dogs which they train to provide assistance to veterans have been rescued themselves; so in essence, Patriot Rovers saves dogs while saving veterans at the same time. Honoring the memory of our fallen heroes is also a vital component of Patriot Rovers’ mission, so every service dog they train is named in honor of a veteran who gave their lives in the service of our nation. In addition to providing service dogs for veterans, Patriot Rovers also provides a network of support which helps veterans build relationships with individuals who have shared similar traumatic experiences.
MA Cares and Market America were so inspired by the remarkable team behind Patriot Rovers and the amazing service they provide, that we’ve sponsored a service dog of our own! Meet Amy Renee, the newest Patriot Rover in training!
Amy Renee was named in honor of a true American Hero, Army PFC Amy Renee Bullock-Sinkler. Amy proudly served with the 17th Combat Sustainment Battalion 3rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, and died on Thursday, January 20, 2011 in the Baghlan province of Afghanistan while defending her convoy against insurgents.
Amy’s memory will live on forever, and the impact of the service dog named after her will be immense – providing a source of comfort to a soldier in need. Amy selflessly gave her life protecting her fellow soldiers, so it is only fitting that her namesake, Patriot Rover Amy Renee, will carry the torch on her behalf by continuing to protect and support her fellow veterans.
The MA Cares Team recently had a bake sale to help raise funds for this tremendous cause, but additional donations are always welcome! If you would like to donate to this great cause, and help us sponsor a puppy for Patriot Rovers, please contact Market America’s Vice President of Operations, Brandi Quinn, at 336-478-4132.
Be sure to stay tuned to the MA Blog in the coming weeks for more updates on our little Patriot Rover, Amy!
How wonderful that you are helping out our returning vets. There definitely is not enough support for them returning home. Thank you for fulfilling this need for them.
All I can say is “THANK YOU”! My husband is a Vietnam veteran who has completed the program for PTSD at Salisbury. While there, he had contact with the PTSD dog, Kimberly. She was a tremendous help to his coping with difficult memories. He is in line to receive one of the up-coming dogs. I am so thankful for Patriot Rovers, the staff at the WG Hefner VA Medical Center who work with PTSD and all those who offer their support. Thank you for your involvment with this program.