Sierra Delta helps veterans obtain service dogs

WISCONSIN – (Civic Media) – When veterans return from service wounded or with PTSD, the simplest relationship may be the one that helps them the most. That’s according to BJ Ganem, a veterans advocate, who founded Sierra Delta, which provides veterans with service dogs. 

Ganem says he learned from personal experience that a dog is sometimes the best thing to happen to a veteran. 

“I was contemplating ending my life, thinking how bad it was,” said Ganem. “I had this old English bulldog who I knew wouldn’t be able to survive without me. If I checked out, he’d end up in a shelter and most likely be killed. That helped me see through the depression.”

According to Ganem, most veterans do not need a service dog that goes everywhere with them, nor do they need one specially trained to be an ADA service dog. “However, the majority of us could really benefit from reestablishing that sense of team by having a well-trained dog in our life,” said Ganem.

Because ADA service dogs are so expensive Sierra Delta focuses on training dogs that veterans already have a connection with. The Life Buddy program provides education and training that meets the needs of each veteran. It offers training grants in three categories; basic training, advanced training, including emotional support and PTSD, and medical assistance training.

Ganem, who now lives in Reedsburg, lost his foot after his vehicle ran over an IED in Iraq while serving in the Marines.