Shown in the photo are SBF Executive Director Mik Milem, QCVGA President Rene Gill, with his service dog Kooper, and Development Director Emilio Driscoll.
John McGee
The Quail Creek Veterans Golf Association (QCVGA) continued its support of Soldiers’ Best Friend (SBF) with a $1,000 donation on June 4. Soldier’s Best Friend’s motto, “Touching Two Lives at Once,” reflects how it helps a veteran experiencing PTSD or traumatic brain injury by pairing him or her with a rescue dog that they themselves train to be a service dog. The assisted training is provided at no cost to the veteran. They complete the training under the supervision of a certified trainer, typically taking six to nine months to meet service dog qualification requirements. A veteran may choose to have their own dog evaluated for the program. The Arizona nonprofit has paired 500 veterans with lifesaving service dogs. QCVGA President Rene Gill knows well the value of this. The retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant completed the program in 2023 with Kopper, a rescue dog. He describes the experience as a bonding process that goes beyond words.
On June 1, SBF opened its new Tucson training facility at 3102 E. Fort Lowell Road. Training is also available in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Yuma, Prescott, Sierra Vista, Sahuarita, and Green Valley. For more information, visit the SBF website at soldersbestfriend.org.