Dogs have a certain healing power that is difficult to ignore. Their knack for unconditional love and capabilities as service animals go a long way. Operation Freedom Paws founder Mary Cortani understood that when she founded the California-based non-profit in January 2010. “Operation Freedom Paws empowers veterans and others with disabilities to live a quality of life by teaching them to train their own dogs, and certifying them as service dog teams,” the organization states on its website.
Operation Freedom Paws carefully evaluates the dogs – usually rescue animals – and matches them with individuals who have Post Traumatic Stress and other “physical, neurological, psychological or mobility needs.” “The very special therapeutic canine-human relationship helps them get back out in their communities and begin to view their future with renewed hope.”