Company Employees Raise Money For Veteran To Receive A Service Dog

Employees of a Cookeville mortgage company have raised some $5,000 to give a local veteran a service dog next month.

Each year, Seagrave Mortgage holds a different giveback event for the community. Branch Manager Patty Seagrave said the company of 10 employees saw the need firsthand.

“In the process throughout the year of us doing VA loans with veterans, we kind of became a little more aware of a need for veterans to have more like companion dogs and dogs that maybe would help veterans that have PTSD,” Seagrave said.

Seagrave said the company has almost completely funded the training of a Doberman named Reagan. Seagrave said on July 14th at the Putnam County Veteran Services Building, the recipient will be announced at 10:00 a.m.

“We have a dog that is coming from Colorado Springs,” Seagrave said. “They are training right now in Wisconsin. A gentlemen purchased the dog for himself and found out that he was allergic to the dog. He felt very strongly that he wanted this dog to go to a veteran.”

“After we present the dog and have the veteran narrowed down, we will further customize the training of the dog to better suit our veteran,” Seagrave said.

Seagrave said the company has worked with the county’s veteran service officer to identify those in needs. Seagrave said applications can also be submitted by calling (931) 526-3374.

Seagrave said the company also has a back-up dog in training just in case the veteran and dog do not match well.