UPDATE: Stiggy's Dogs Wins $25,000 in on-line contest.
Stiggy's Dogs helps veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries by pairing them with service dogs.
Now the howell non-profit is in the running for thousands of dollars and you can help with just a click of a mouse.
Benjamin Phillip Castiglione, better known as "Doc Stiggy," dedicated his life to physically and emotionally helping his fellow marines. It's something he continues to do even after his death in 2009 with "Stiggy's Dogs."
"We rescue dogs from shelters and train them as psychiatric service dogs for our returning military veterans. It's been a struggle financially, but the reward and benefit of what we've seen makes it all worth it," said Jennifer Petre, founder of Stiggy's Dogs.
Castiglione's aunt, Jennifer Petre, started Stiggy's Dogs in his memory and since then, the non-profit has paired 14 veterans with dogs, with 2 currently in training.
"Whether it's anger, sadness or depression or hyper vigilance, whatever emotion that they're feeling at that moment, the dog is taught to respond appropriately," said Donna Fournier, Director of Training. "Bringing medication to them. Some of our dogs can turn on and off lights and do a search of the perimeter. Some of our dogs do stability. They can be taught to brace. We have one dog that is also doing seizure notification."
But training like that doesn't come cheap. And that's why this non-profit needs your help.
This month, Stiggy's Dogs is competing against three other non-profits to get the most votes in the "Aprons in Action" Home Depot contest.
If they do, they will win $25,000 dollars.
Money that will build housing on the property, but more than that, continue building these priceless partnerships.
Visit the "Seen on 6" icon on wlns.com to vote.
