Cover photo – (L-R) Senator Mattera, Congressman LaLota holding nine-week-old Honor, and America’s VetDogs Exec. Dir. Chad Graham (Credit – Town of Smithtown)
Recognizing the services and sacrifices of Veterans is one of the United States’ most important priorities, if not the most important. Likewise, Suffolk County and the Town of Smithtown hold that priority in equal standing.
America’s VetDogs, a 501(c)(3) charity established in 2003, states its mission as “to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence.” The organization accomplishes this by training and placing service dogs with Veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities to help them from small, every-day tasks, to securing an emotional bond with a companion who loves unconditionally.
VetDogs currently has a ten-acre campus in Smithtown. The organization offers personalized classes for each trainer and their dog to allow them to bond and work together as a team.
In 2013, America’s Vet Dogs became the second assistance dog school in the country to be accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.
Tuesday afternoon played host to a highly special event: America’s VetDogs was inducted into the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
Chartered by Congress in 1958, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s membership is composed of those who wear or have worn the Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military award for valor. In March, America’s VetDogs received the prestigious 2024 Community Service Citizens Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
VetDogs joins less than twenty organizations who have received a similar honor.
“We have great staff, volunteers, and board members,” said VetDogs President John Miller. “Not charging means we have to raise a lot of money. We have to raise $20 million to break even.”
It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but all of VetDogs’ services are delivered to their clients at no charge.
VetDogs is set to build a new headquarters within Smithtown, a project VetDogs leaders and elected leaders alike anticipate greatly.
“We have great partners in government who can all come together and move this project forward. We want Smithtown to be our home forever,” said Miller.
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R-Kings Park), a Vietnam Veteran, offered remarks.
“We’re so honored and proud VetDogs has chosen to put their headquarters in Smithtown,” said Wehrheim. “We’re already working on the project and our land-use agency is working on zone changes and site plans. This is so important for Veterans across the country. They gave all and we’re trying to give back, which means supporting our VetDogs foundation.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) also offered remarks and the County’s support for VetDogs.
“Suffolk County has more Veterans than any other county in the state, second in the country, after San Diego,” said Romaine. “Our Veterans are a huge part of our county, and our Veterans should always be remembered and never forgotten. Because of VetDogs, our Veterans who have been wounded can come here and find a service dog.”
Romaine added that while the puppies are “cute,” they’re more than just adorable dogs, they’re the lost limb or the calm in the storm of a Veteran who needs them.
“They’re not only their companion, but they’re someone who helps them with whatever disability they might have. Dogs are the best, and dogs that can help our wounded Vets are incredible. The Congressional Medal of Honor is well deserved. This County will work with the Town of Smithtown to do whatever we can to support America’s VetDogs.”
Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James) also expressed his gratitude for the organization and presented VetDogs with a State Certificate recognizing their services.
“Our dogs are our heroes, they are a great support team,” said Mattera. “We can never do enough for our Veterans.”
Mattera added that “these beautiful dogs cheer us up every day,” and that he’s seen firsthand how dogs can calm a person’s anxiety.
“Your dogs are always happy to see you,” added Mattera, stating that in addition to the invaluable services dogs can provide Veterans, a loving friend who is eternally grateful for their own is invaluable in and of itself.
Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01), a Navy Veteran and a member of the Armed Services Committee, spoke highly of the organization and VetDogs’ achievement.
“I’m a stepson of a Navy man, a grandson of a Coast Guardsman, a brother of a Marine, a Navy Veteran myself. That’s what guides my services in Washington on the Armed Services Committee,” said LaLota. “We have 16.2 million living Veterans in this country; sixty-one living Veterans have earned the Medal of Honor. VetDogs is worthy of the honor. We pay tribute to those who have fallen, and we honor the services of VetDogs.”
“Things do not happen on their own. It takes people to step up and lead from the front,” said Executive Director Chad Graham. “These stories that earned the Medal of Honor remind us of the profound cost of freedom and all those who have sacrificed so much to protect it. All of this embodies the word ‘honor.’ That word was chosen deliberately.”
Graham invoked an appropriate quote from President Calvin Coolidge: “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of VetDogs’ newest recruit, a nine-week-old Labrador Retriever. Her name: Honor.
America’s VetDogs is located at 371 East Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown and can be reached at [email protected], 631-930-9090, or its toll-free number at 1-866-VETDOGS (838-3647).
