Animal Sanctuary Gives Service Dogs to People in Need for Free
By ARIN COTEL-ALTMAN DUTCHESS COUNTY
Stacey Coleman is the Executive Director of The Animal Farm Foundation, a non-profit that commits to rescuing farm animals.
What You Need To Know
The Animal Farm Foundation rescues farm animals and shelter dogs
They aim to educate people on breed discrimination, so they usually chose pitbulls for their service dog program
Service dogs can be as expensive as $40,000 and their clients get them free of charge
“But they also help us talk to people and teach people that before their food was their food, their food had a life," Coleman said.
These animals aren’t on the farm to just live their lives, they serve a greater purpose, one that Stacey says aims to teach kindness and compassion.
“If we can’t be kind to the animals that we share a life with so closely, whether it’s our companion dogs or the food on our plates, how can we ever learn to be kind to each other," Coleman said.
The foundation also has a service dog program where they rescue large dogs, usually pitbulls, and train them.
Then they give what could be up to a $40,000 dog to someone for free.
"The reason we do that is to just show that all dogs are individuals and regardless of what your appearance is, you can still do anything that any other dog can," says Bernice Clifford, director of behavior and training for the Animal Farm Foundation.
Eric Guss and Brooklyn were paired up thanks to this program and they've been together for almost two years.
Eric is deaf and Brooklyn provides sound awareness for him at home, like a smoke alarm, doorbell or alarm clock.
"Reduces my feeling of isolation often faced by myself with my hearing loss and companionship," Guss said.
They say dogs are a man's best friend and for Eric, this couldn’t be more true.
"These dogs provide greatly increased freedom," Guss said.
To donate to the Animal Farm Foundation visit their website.
Originally Published: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/news/2020/09/15/animal-sanctuary-gives-service-dogs-to-people-in-need-for-free
