The Berrien County Veterans Services Office has officially presented a support animal to a local veteran, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Veterans Services Director Maureen Adams appeared before the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday and said K9 Ollie has been trained by Warrior K9s LLC/Magnum K9 to be ready for veteran Tammy Robinson.
“Tammy was in the army,” Adams said. “She was in — I’ve got your dates — from April of 1988 to February of 1993. And she’s been training with Magnum K9 and we’re ready to hand off this animal, Ollie, to her today.”
Magnum K9 owner Scott LaRoe said he trains dogs for all kinds of support services, and the waiting list these days is long. He’ll be able to help Ollie do more for Tammy over time.
“Our training with them never really stops,” LaRoe said. “Over the next four or five weeks, we’re going to be doing some more stuff so she can get out in the public. And that type of stuff, some social interactions, the dog will be able to facilitate that for her and whatever else she needs.”
Ollie is an 18-month-old golden retriever, the first of four the county Veterans Services Office can connect with a veteran this year. Adams said Thursday she already had a meeting with another applicant for another dog later in the day.
The recipient of Ollie, Tammy Robinson, told commissioners the adoption is a long time coming.
