K9s For Warriors
On November 16, 2022 K9s For Warriors came to our STENA headquarters to pick up a ceremonial check for $12,500 that had been raised through the MOVEment campaign. It was an incredible visit!
K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest veteran service organization focused on providing highly trained Service Dogs to Warriors. Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors provides highly trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery. K9’s mission is to save two lives — a veteran and a shelter dog.
Bill McCabe, Deputy Director of Policy & Government Affairs and Benjamin Lewis, a Navy veteran, along with his dog Bergen enjoyed talking to ST Engineering President Tim McBride and ST Engineering North America staff.
With over 1500 days of deployment experience, Benjamin Lewis has served in the Navy for over 8 years as a Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman (SWCC) with Special Boat Teams (SBT) 20 and 22. Multiple war injuries, but fortunately he still has all his fingers and toes. He is one of only three original 12-man team members still alive. Seven of them committed suicide during a three-year span. The remaining 2 were Killed in Action (KIA). He had struggled for years with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and suicidal tendencies. Through pairing him with Bergen, K9s for Warriors has played a significant role in his healthcare. Bergen accompanies Benjamin everywhere. He gives him the means to resume living the way he did before his military service. He keeps him optimistic and makes each day exciting. Bergen is a 95-pound yellow lab.
