New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and his wife, Brittany, have always been open about their love and appreciate for past and present U.S. military lives. So naturally, they found a way to give back. Last year at Sean Payton’s Black & Gold Gala, the Brees’ discovered K9s for Warriors for the very first time.
K9s for Warriors is a non-profit organization that pairs up service dogs with post-9/11 military veterans suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), traumatic brain injuries and/or military sexual trauma. Service dogs have long helped empower those in need, and our veterans are the perfect candidates for such animals.
@drewbrees #USAF Veteran April and service dog Brees are graduating today! Words cannot express how thankful we are pic.twitter.com/wMdk3vlsbF
— K9s For Warriors (@k9sforwarriors) July 28, 2016
The Brees’ have sponsored a German Shepherd mix that has been aptly named “Brees.” She is living alongside Air Force veteran April Sandlin, who suffers from PTSD. Sandlin recently released a statement about all three of the Brees’ – the dog and couple. “I can feel a difference in my life. I am very thankful for K9s For Warriors and that Drew Brees was so kind to sponsor my dog. Many things in combat cannot be unseen or unheard. I can’t forget those things, but my dog helps me focus on something different — our bond,” she said.
These service dogs make a significant difference in the lives of those who need them, but their raising and training comes at a high cost. Sponsoring a service dog is an excellent way to give back to your community, for both the dog and the human in the relationship. Drew and Brittany Brees did an incredible deed giving April Sandlin a helping hand, or paw, back into civilian life. To learn more about K9s for Warriors, visit their website.