Our PuppySpot Gives Back program continues to deliver joy and positivity to the community through our partnerships with non-profit organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity and veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, services and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following September 11, 2001. As a part of this program, we have collaborated with a local South Florida chapter of Wounded Warrior Project to donate puppies to veterans in search of companionship.
Veterans are able to apply for a donation puppy through Wounded Warrior Project. Once a puppy becomes available for donation, the veteran is to go through a screening process with PuppySpot. Recently, we connected with a U.S. Army veteran by the name of Barry T. Offenburger Jr. He was in search of another Golden Retriever companion. He currently has an older Golden Retriever who is his best friend and can’t imagine the thought of not having a dog in his life.
Barry got involved with Wounded Warrior Project over 10 years ago! He has helped other veterans through peer mentoring and is very active in his community. When serving in Afghanistan in 2004, Barry was in a vehicle rollover that caused trauma to his head and back. He ended up being medevaced to Germany where he found out he had stage IV hodgkin lymphoma. He went through two years of chemo and rehab for his back before returning to civilian life. Today, Barry is 14 years cancer free and ready to add another member to his family!
Once Barry was able to see the photos of Polly the Golden Retriever (now Kamora), he was head over heels! After going through our screening process and having Kamora vet check from nose to tail, arrangements were made for Barry to meet his new family member! Barry immediately started puppy proofing the house and preparing for Kamora’s arrival.
As soon as Barry laid eyes on Kamora in person, it was love at first sight! Kamora can now be found playing with her new brother NoGi, cuddling with her new big sister (Barry’s daughter), or training with Barry. They are a picture perfect family!
Thank you for your service, Barry!
health/safety We at PuppySpot believe that good health is a crucial part of responsible breeding, and a puppy’s good health begins with healthy parents. That is why we partner with the American Kennel Club to host health clinics to examine adult breeding dogs. The clinics are set up all round the U.S. and encourage breeders to … Continue reading PuppySpot & AKC Host Health Clinics for Adult Breeding Dogs
health/safety We all want the best for our pets, and one way to ensure that your pets are healthy, happy, and safe is to keep an eye on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recall list.
health/safety Whether flying in-cabin as carry-on or flying in cargo, we’ve outlined the key steps you can take for safely and responsibly flying your dog. Follow these tips and feel good about bringing your pup on that next vacation.
It is always a pleasure working with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish®. Their wish managers and volunteers work hard to ensure the wishes of thousands of children are granted each year. Recently, Make-A-Wish has experienced quite an uptick in puppy wishes; that is where PuppySpot comes in! Thanks to a bit of coordination between Make-A-Wish … Continue reading Puppy Brings Joy to Mid-Atlantic Wish Child
Feel Good PuppySpot continues to work with the various chapters of Make-A-Wish to help grant puppy wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our first puppy wish of the year was granted with Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida. When they reached out to us, the chapter was working on a puppy wish for four-year-old Daniel, a resilient little … Continue reading A Special Surprise for Jacksonville Wish Child
Feel Good This year has brought on numerous challenges to many families. It will be a year many of us won’t soon forget. Now, it is time to put this year to rest. With 2021 comes a sense of hope, and that is what two Make-A-Wish families received just in time to bring in the new year. … Continue reading Double Wish Granting Brings Hope into 2021
Feel Good This past year has been challenging for many families. It has been particularly hard for one Make-A-Wish Southern Florida family. The Diaz family is not only dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are also in an ongoing battle with leukemia. Jaxon Diaz is a 6-year-old boy whose wish is to have a normal life. … Continue reading A New Best Friend for South Florida Wish Child
