Tampa, Fla. – Nominations are sought from the public for veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) who would benefit from owning a companion dog. Holzerland Protection Dogs will award a Belgian Malinois puppy, a breed frequently used in the military, to the selected veteran at the end of May.
“Our country was founded on our freedom and without our veterans, this would not be possible. We have found that donating dogs to veterans has made a massive positive impact on their mental health. A dog gives us a level of therapy that is not obtainable through modern medicine,” said Brianna Holzerland, owner of Holzerland Protection Dogs.
Dog ownership can often help combat PTSD, according to the American Psychological Association. “These important findings highlight the efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for PTSD, which adversely affects more than 250,000 (30 percent) of post 9/11 war veterans, with an alarming 22 suicides per day,” wrote Steven Feldman in a Mental Health America article about a recent study (https://bit.ly/DogStudyHolz).
To nominate a veteran, email a video or written description explaining why this candidate would be the best choice, to HolzerlandProtectionDogs@gmail.com. The deadline for submissions is May 8. The recipient will be unaware of the surprise until awarded the canine, with friends and/or family members present.
Requirements include the recipient be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and have prior experience with a Belgian Malinois. “Belgian Malinois are working dogs, and so we require previous experience with the breed prior to releasing one of our puppies to their new owner,” Holzerland said. The puppy will be carefully selected to be a perfect fit with the winner. According to YourDogAdvisor.com, Belgian Malinois are sought after for their eagerness to please, loyalty and courage.
Holzerland Protection Dogs specializes in breeding and training Belgian Malinois dogs, carefully ensuring that all are health tested. Each new owner receives a Florida Health Certificate for their canine. As opposed to kennels or “puppy mills,” Holzerland puppies are raised in loving homes by those associated with Holzerland Protection Dogs. Holzerland has raised and trained dogs professionally for 12 years.
More information is available at www.holzerlandk9.com, on Facebook: Holzerland Protection Dogs and at 727-300-9822.
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