Nonprofit Organization Management - , Minnesota, United States
• Courage Service Dogs is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for veterans and other public service workers through the use of specially trained service dogs.• Courage Service Dogs is unique from other Minnesota service dog organizations in the following ways:◦ High quality dogs will be specially trained to exclusively support victims of PTSD◦ The organization seeks to eliminate all financial burdens on the end recipient◦ Public service workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs are included among its potential beneficiaries, recognizing that this is another population with a high incidence of PTSD and for whom resources for combatting PTSD may be limited• Given its narrow focus, Courage Service Dogs is well positioned to partner with and mutually serve veteran's organizations, medical institutions, mental health organizations, law enforcement communities and others who have a passion to help those diagnosed with PTSD.• Statistics show that 30% or roughly 80,000 Minnesota veterans are currently afflicted with PTSD. Approximately 15% of law enforcement officers and firefighters are also believed to suffer from PTSD resulting from their professional experience.• Founder and Executive Director Lisa Burkett established Courage Service Dogs in response to her own personal battle with PTSD and the life-changing experience of being paired with her own specially trained service dog, Bella.• Courage Service Dogs has a highly skilled and carefully selected Board of Directors, comprised of members with military, mental health, dog training, accounting, fundraising and general business management backgrounds. A shared passion for the organization's mission and a dedication to serving the Twin Cities' heroes with PTSD will enable Courage Service Dogs to accomplish its goals.