Supporting our veterans and their families
Operation Dog Tag is an emerging Spokane area outreach to military combat veterans. ODT’s mission is to provide help, hope and healing to mentally and emotionally wounded combat vets. Many veterans are struggling and need help to find purpose in their life.
Another dog has been placed with Matthew Hoff, who by the way loves and enjoys his new found battle buddie. “Tag” is a 5 month old black lab and is doing wonderful in his basic training.
My name is Brett and I’m with Operation Dog Tag, a non-profit organization. It was founded by Joe Sheffer, a Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran. His mission is to make an impact and literally save the lives of combat veterans of all ages.
Operation Dog Tag is a fantastic organization that has changed my life. I believe that all veterans in need should have the opportunity to own a service dog. In my case, my two tours in Iraq left me with survivor’s guilt and a lot of anger. Now how do you go back to a normal life after experiencing such trauma?
I really don’t want to share my stories. I have good ones and bad ones like others that have laced up their combat boots. But I will say that having my dog has been one of the best things for me since coming home.
After 6 years of dealing with my husband’s PTSD, his self-medicating, getting prescribed medications, going to treatment facilities and psychiatric wards he found himself at the bottom. A random nurse picked up on his PTSD behaviors and suggested Operation Dog Tag. As we were leaving a Humane Society event my husband saw Shelby
What Operation Dog Tag has done for me is outstanding. Not only is ODT training my dog and myself, but I am also learning to deal with daily issues.
Operation Dog Tag is an exceptional program for combat vets who not only need the emotional companionship of a dog, but also facilitates meetings of combat vets and their families creating a network of help for all those involved. My family and I are more than honored to be a part of such a great organization.
My name is Frank Lopez, me and my dog Guero have been a part of Operation Dog Tag with Joe Shaffer for the last 6 months. Since attending his classes, I now posses the skills to teach
As a veteran struggling with PTSD, I was beginning to feel like a cripple and a recluse. Without my wife, I would not leave my home alone. My anxiety was through the roof. Knowing my affection for animals, my loving wife suggested getting a service animal, believing another companion could ease my anxiety and bring some normalcy b
I think Operation Dog Tag is a great program. I don’t have a dog presently but they are going to locate a suitable one. I personally hope they can find a female Akita that can help me with many tasks. After I had the privilege of observing the group I could see how ODT helps veterans like us to connect back into society. I think somehow these dogs make life a little easier for those with chronic pain.
Operation Dog Tag helped me get a wonder pup, and will be training the dog Chester (and me), in order for him to be my service dog! This is going to help me immensely with my PTSD,
Upon listening to a radio program revealing that 6,000 precious veterans committed suicide in 2010 from the effects of combat experience, Operation Dog Tag became Joe Scheffer’s vision. As a veteran with the US Marine Corps, he brought to the table his understanding as a combat veteran and his experience as a professional dog trainer. From these humble beginnings came Operation Dog Tag, a Spokane based organization under Point Man International Ministries.
Thanks to Operation Dog Tag! I love my dog Molly; she is a great addition to my family as well. Operation Dog Tag has been a great organization and a lot of veterans will benefit from it.
I met Joe Scheffer at “Operation Dog Tag”, when I was at a very low point in my life... After coming home I began to struggle and fell deeper and deeper into what seemed like a black hole that had no exit. My marriage was in turmoil and I just couldn’t get myself together, until Raider, my dog who was given to me by “Operation Dog Tag.
Joe, I want to say thank you for all Operation Dog Tag has done for me by providing me with a black Lab puppy to be trained as a service dog for me. "Gunny" is what I have named him in honor of my service in the Marine Corps.
In Memory of Darrin Hart WHO SERVED WITH THE 10TH MOUNTAIN DIV. US ARMY...HIS DOG BLEU WILL LIVE OUT THE REST OF HIS LIFE WITH DARRIN’S MOM. MISS YOU BUDDY - Joe Scheffer
Joe, I pray this is just the begining of a role that I might play in your efforts with Operation Dog Tag to help our veterans. I can’t imagine or try to put myself in their shoes, but I do know the pain of isolation from depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress and a brain injury, and of the healing power of dogs.