FF_100319

this is a way that I can continue
to serve.”
Two Operation Patriot
Paws “veteran friendly
pups,” Corbin and Duncan,
were on-site during
Fall Fest, and they are currently
looking for veterans
interested in adopting a
four-legged friend. Finding
a perfect match for
both the veteran and dog is
at the heart of the organizations
mission.
“There’s no fee for the
veteran, and they don’t
need to be diagnosed with
something like PTSD to
adopt,” said Groth-Prepura,
noting that emotional
support pets reduce stress
and add joy to life.
Operation Patriot Paws
rescues the majority of its
dogs from high-kill shelters.
Volunteers then determine
which animals have
the right temperament and
personalities to become
emotional service animals.
Those that may not qualify
as an emotional support
pet go up for adoption in
search of a forever fam-
frankfortstationdaily.com life & arts
the frankfort station | October 3, 2019 | 23
First Fall Fest at The Ranch
helps nonprofit raise funds
Laurie Fanelli
Freelance Reporter
3
With day care, boarding
and training services,
Club K-9 at The Ranch is
a favorite facility among
Frankfort area four-legged
friends.
On Saturday, Sept. 28,
The Ranch hosted dogowners,
friends and supporters
during the inaugural
Fall Fest, which raised
money for Operation Patriot
Paws, a nonprofit organization
that rescues and
trains dogs to be paired
with veterans at no-cost to
the veteran.
“It’s a perfect mix between
what we are here
to support, which is our
troops, active military and
veterans and we’re marrying
that with our love
of rescuing animals,”
Operation Patriot Paws
Treasurer Ariel Hantin
explained. “We focus on
emotional support, which
is canine companionship.
The dogs are all trained.
We’ve elected to follow
the protocol of American
Kennel Club, so all of the
dogs complete their training,
get tested and certified
with their Canine Good
Citizenship certification.
Then they are ready to be
partnered with their active
military member or veteran.”
Fall Fest attendees enjoyed
music from Sailor
Jerri – a U.S. Navy veteran,
as well as an accomplished
singer-songwriter
– along with vendor
booths, raffles, food trucks
and much more, all while
raising money to support
Operation Patriot Paws’
mission of “uniting two
Staff Sgt. Michael Looze, of Carpentersville, and his
dog Nova, who was adopted from Operation Patriot
Paws, spend time together at the first Fall Fest at the
Ranch on Saturday, Sept. 28, in Frankfort.
Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media
legs with four and saving
lives.” Proceeds from the
event help the organization
provide medical treatment
– including spaying,
neutering, vaccinating
and microchipping – and
training for the dogs, as
well as other expenses, as
it is completely run by volunteers.
Operation Patriot Paws
President Meghan Groth-
Prepura knows firsthand
how the unconditional
love of a dog can benefit
the lives of veterans and
active members of the
military, as she has served
in the U.S. Army for more
than 20 years. As she prepares
to retire from the
military at the end of this
year, she views her work
with Operation Patriot
Paws as a great way to
continue to serve.
“My husband, Mike,
and I have six dogs of our
own,” Groth-Prepura said.
“I have horses and I’ve always
been an animal lover.
I’ve found that I consider
this almost self care. I’ve
been involved in dog rescue
for a long time, and
Please see paws, 24
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