Pawsitive-ly Tea with Lisa
January’s Tea with Lisa celebrated the unique role of dogs whose special purpose in life is to provide enhanced independence for people with disabilities. Her guests included Army combat Veteran Sara Hillyard with Pawsitive for Heroes and Walton Options team member, Matt Thibault.
To preface, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines service animals, typically dogs, that are individually trained to work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service animals work to guide the blind, alert people who are deaf, alert and assist a person having a seizure, calm those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and much more. Service animals are protected under federal law. Animals whose sole function is to provide emotional comfort do not qualify as a service animal under the ADA.
Pawsitive for Heroes is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing service dogs for Veterans based out of Buffalo, New York, and is growing in many other locations in the country. It is sponsored by individuals, local businesses, and large corporations who sponsor service dogs and save Veterans’ lives. Its mission is to restore quality of life to those who gave so much to our country and sustain their dignity at the same time. Pawsitive is new to the CSRA and is looking to help local Veterans.
Sara Hillyard is an Army combat Veteran who moved to the CSRA in 2022. She and her service dog, October, whom she received from Pawsitive for Heroes. With her relocation to the CSRA, Sara wanted to share Pawsitive for Heroes with Veterans in the area. She is now a local coordinator for the program.
Join Lisa and her guests this month as they spill the Tea ???? on all things Pawsitive for Heroes and how they are helping our local veterans get back out into the community by providing trained service dogs. You will hear from Sarah and Matt, the future recipient of the first service dog provided in the CSRA! Don’t miss this episode!