Old Bethpage, NY - September 3, 2015 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano (2nd right) and his wife Linda, along with their dogs Rocky and Max, attended the 1st Annual Long Island America’s VetDogs Run & Dog Walk at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
America’s VetDogs is a not-for-profit organization that serves the needs of veterans with disabilities. VetDogs provides guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; hearing dogs for those who have lost their hearing later in life; service dogs for those with other physical disabilities; facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) service dogs to help mitigate the effects of PTSD in an effort to provide the emotional and physical support needed.
In 2015 VetDogs expanded its programs to include first responders, including fire, police and emergency medical personnel. All of their services are provided at no cost to veterans and first responders.
“I am proud to have teamed up with America’s VetDogs and corporate sponsors such as United Water to help create this 1st Annual event at Old Bethpage Village Restoration and The Museum of American Armor,” said County Executive Mangano. “It takes thousands of dollars to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides their services completely free of charge to the veteran. Our veterans deserve any help that we can provide and on behalf of a grateful nation, I thank them for their service and dedication.”
Pictured: (from left to right) America’s VetDogs CEO Wells B. Jones, FASAE, CAE, CFRE, NYPD Running Club Member Armando Urbina, Linda and Ed Mangano, and Event Sponsor Representative Mike Martino of United Water.