ANNUAL REPORTStiggy’s Dogs2013

A YEAR OF GROWTH

A Year of Change

MILESTONESPrograms and InItIatIves• veterans served. Record-breaking year for

our programs with seventeen dog-veteran teams paired.

• Program uPdates. Development and implemen-tation of new program delivery methods allowing local veterans to more fully bond with their dogs during training time.

• outreach actIvItIes. Increased awareness of service dog etiquette and the stories of veterans with disabilities through talks with local libraries, school groups and community organizations.

• communIty PartnershIPs. Increased partner-ship with local law enforcment and legal entties to assist veterans initiatives.

sustaInabIlIty and Infrastructure

• grants. Over $100,000 in grant funding from a variety of sources including the Home Depot Foundation.

• sPonsorshIPs. Several local business, organi-zation and individual sponsorships, including the Frankenmuth Noon Rotary.

• donor fundIng. Over $47,000 in funding from individual donors, including contributions from the Combined Federal Campaign donors.

• organIzatIonal uPdates. Implementation of proactive policies and procedures to ensure the success of those we serve and our donors.

I remember thinking, ‘How could 2013 be better than last year?’ Well, you answered that question with goodness flowing overwhelmingly.

You never let us down! Beause of you our 2013 was a whilrwind of amazing things including: winning $100k from the Home Depot Foundation because of YOUR votes, several community-led fundraising events from a tennis tournament to a commedy show and everything in between, partnerships with local and regional businesses and more. We built relationships with local veterans groups, women’s auxiliary organizations and more. You helped bring public awareness through talks and events at libraries and community centers and countless appearances in local, national and regional media. Phew! That is a lot of awesomeness right there!

Our mission has never been more necessary and our organization has never been stronger because you are on board. You are making a difference one tail wag at a time. And together we are “Rescuing One to Rescue Another”.

We can’t wait to see you in 2014!

Sincerely, Jennifer Petre

FROM THE DIRECTORA Time of Growth

Jennifer Petre(with Stiggy’s Dog “Stig”)

TESTIMONIALSA Lasting Impact

edward and outlawI am a veteran living with TBI and PTSD. I received my injuries in 2005 when my LAV ran over a roadside bomb. The reason I tell you this is so you can better understand just one of the ways that my service dog “Outlaw” helps me. When driving I have severe anxiety, wondering if that trash bag on the side of the road is going to hurt me. Outlaw can see my anxiety and frustration and comes to turn my attention from the anxiety and frustration to that off love and affection. Although this is only one of the ways Outlaw helps me daily I hope it gives you a little bit of a better understanding of how service dogs help veterans with TBI and/or PTSD. I cannot begin to explain how much Outlaw has changed my life. Though I’m not perfect and will never be he makes me feel I can operate normally and go places with my family. I can never thank Stiggy’s Dogs enough for bringing this incredible animal into not only my life, but my heart, and my family.

Edward and Outlaw were paired in August 2013. We get regular updates from Edward and the two are doing amazing things together.

autumn and camoTo mention all the ways Camo has changed my life for the better, would take hours. What’s most important is when I loose myself, and can trust no one I look into his eyes and see that I have a future. My story isn’t done yet, and he will walk beside me while I write the rest of it. Camo has given me a reason to hope, a reason to persevere and a reason to live. Camo has given me a future.

Autumn and Camo are doing great work and interested in helping Stiggy’s start a mentor program for its veterans.

UPDATES

Where

are t

hey no

w?

brIan and rustyI don’t have to watch my back the way that I used to. We were at John Dingell VA a couple of weeks ago, there was another veteran that was walking behind us. When we were waiting for the elevator Rusty put himself between myself and the other veteran. The veteran looked at me and said you have a great dog, he was watching you but every couple of steps he kept turning to see where I was. I didn’t realize that Rusty was watching my back. He does such a good job that I don’t even think about it anymore. I can go shopping with out having to leave my things or find a corner till I can get through the panic attack. With Rusty I don’t avoid going out. Since Rusty is with me I am able to talk to other veterans about service dogs or therapy dogs.

Briian and Rusty travel to the John Dingell VA Hospital and DMC Children’s Hospital to help educate about service and therapy dogs and to help raise the spirits of veterans and children.

We are always thrilled to hear how our veterans and dogs are doing. Terrance and Major are tackling the world of college. Jeremiah and Bentley (upper left) just graduated college. Dan and Liberty (lower right) have done several bike rides and runs for veterans. Even though Honor is retired, she is living the life as best friend to veteran Faith’s new service dog, Fubar. These veterans are always reminding us that hard work pays off and every one of us has the ability to make a difference.

FINANCESBy the Numbers

exPenses

Income

Doc Stiggy’s Mission Lives OnThe power of the human-canine relationship was something Benjamin “Doc Stiggy” Castiglione knew well. Now in his memory, we help find his military brothers and sisters healing in that same relationship free of charge to them. These dogs cost anywhere from $15,000-30,000 on the open market, but Stiggy’s Dogs provides this for our military veterans free of charge.

We are only able to do this type of thing with help from people like you. You keep the mission of Benjamin Castiglione alive and well as we take care of our deserving veterans in his memory.

How You Helped in 2013• Hosting Denim Days at work to

raise money• Having supply drives at

their churches, schools and businesses

• Providing space for awareness of psychiatric service dogs and PTSD/TBI issues

• Sponsoring a comedy night• Donating proceeds from choir

concerts, figure skating events and sporting events

• Voting for Stiggy’s in the Home Depot Foundation’s Aprons in Action Contest

• Gathering monetary donations from Rotary clubs, church groups and more.

• ...and opening their hearts by going to www.stiggysdogs.org/give and donating what they can to help keep Doc Stiggy’s mission alive.

What does Stiggy’s Dogs provide?• Adoptionsupportandfunding• Specializedequipmentfor

traininganddeployment• Intensetraining,bothinclasses

andone-on-one,byourhighlyskilledtrainers

• Recognizedtestingandcertificationforthedogsandveterans

ALLAtNOCOSttOtheveteRAN.

YOUR WORKHow you made a difference

None of this is possible without the generosity of people and

organizations like you. Our 2013 donor list can be found at

www.stIggysdogs.org/ourheroes

On the web at www.stiggysdogs.org

On FacebOOk at www.facebook.com/stiggysdogs

Our mailing address is:Stiggy’s Dogs

2610 Bowen RoadHowell, MI 48855

Our phOne number is:248.674.8364

email is best at inFO@stiggysdogs.org

Stiggy’s Dogs believes there is hope for our military veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injuy through psychiatric service dogs rescued from shelters and beyond. Every day, 22 veterans take their own lives. Meanwhile, five million dogs are living in shelters across the country. Stiggy’s Dogs believes both problems can lead to an important solution.

As a non-profit organization, we are able to do this through the generous support of our donors and funders who join us in this mission.

To be part of the solution, go to:

www.stIggysdogs.org/gIve

JOINtheMISSION CONNeCtWIthUS!