New Jersey-based Attorney Provides Combat Veteran with Service Dog

Paws of War has worked with attorney to help make it possible for combat veteran to get service dog free of charge

Paws of War has a mission of helping veterans, and one way they do that is to provide them with a much-needed service dog free of charge. They can only do that through monetary support from the community. After two years of supporting the organization, a New Jersey-based attorney, Adam Gonnelli, teamed up to provide a combat veteran with a service dog. The dog was presented to Ryan Canedo, a Marine Corps veteran, at MetLife stadium during the Giants game on November 7, 2021. 

“Being able to help this veteran makes everything worth it,” explains Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “This is exactly why Paws of War exists. We help make the world a better place, one veteran at a time. We are grateful for the support of people like Adam. We couldn’t do what we do without such support.”

Gonnelli, whose practice is located in Princeton, New Jersey, is a dog lover who also finds it important to support the country’s veterans. When he saw the story about a veteran being in need of a service dog, he didn’t hesitate to step up and help make it happen. He contacted Paws of War and volunteered to be the sponsor for the service dog that would be paired with Canedo. 

“It’s an honor to be able to give back to our veterans, so I am happy to provide the support to help this Marine veteran have a service dog,” says Gonnelli. “Our veterans give so much and make everything possible. This is the least we can do for them when they come back home.”

Canedo has an extensive service record for the country, having served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005, where he earned a Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and a Global War on Terrorism medal. Since completion of active-duty service Ryan has earned a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in nursing and has been working as a registered nurse throughout the pandemic.

After bravely serving our country, he began experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms of anxiety, and terrifying flashbacks. Canedo has been waiting for a service dog for a little under a year. Gonnelli and the Giants presented Canedo with the trained service dog during the halftime of the game between the Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders. 

The service dog, named Milo, is living with Canedo and continues to go for weekly training sessions at the Paws of War facility. The two are doing great and bonding. The training sessions will take two to three years to complete.

“I feel comfortable having Milo by my side,” says Ryan Canedo. “I’m so thankful to have received Milo as a service dog. It was truly the best holiday present ever.”

Paws of War PTSD service dogs are trained to assist veterans in the management of this PTSD. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, over 20% of all female and over 15% of all male Iraq and Afghanistan veterans between the ages of 18 and 29 have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Paws of War routinely helps soldiers with service dogs, as well as to relocate rescued pets when they are stationed overseas. To be able to have a successful mission, however, it needs the support of the community. The mission comes with expenses, including travel arrangements, medical care, paperwork, etc. Veterans receive service dogs free of charge, and each dog receives all the necessary professional training. Those who would like to make a donation to help with future missions can visit the site at: http://pawsofwar.org

Many service members stationed around the world rescue cats and dogs and become attached to them. The pets bring them peace and comfort and put smiles on their faces. Paws of War has made it its mission to help get those pets relocated back to America when the time arrives. It has helped many people to get their pets relocated the following deployment. 

There are rules and red tape that must be followed in order to successfully relocate the puppies, including medical expenses to ensure that they are healthy and transportation expenses. The donations Paws of War receives from those in the community, no matter how small they may seem, all add up to help pull off successful missions for the soldiers. To make a donation, visit http://pawsofwar.org

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides assistance to military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and provides therapy dogs to veterans. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or to make a donation, visit its site at: http://pawsofwar.org

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