Last month, the Patchogue Rotary Club hosted Smithtown-based America’s VetDogs, a national nonprofit organization, at their weekly lunch meeting at the Tap Room in Patchogue. The meeting provided local Rotarians with the opportunity to learn more about the work the organization does and the resources it needs to maintain operations and fulfill its mission of training and providing service animals for veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders.

America’s VetDogs’ chief marketing officer Mike Rosen, along with U.S. Air Force veteran Nathan Gardner, who was joined by his wife Amanda and America’s VetDogs-provided service dog, Kenzo, also encouraged the Rotarians to support—either by sponsoring or participating in—their upcoming fundraising event, the VetDogs 5K Run and Dog Walk, scheduled to take place at Smithtown Elementary School on Sept. 28.

“As we endeavor to assist our neighbors and our greater community, we will often invite guest speakers to our meetings to raise awareness of the issues they’re focused on and to provide support wherever we can. This week was special, however, as we were honored to be joined by a national nonprofit organization that just so happens to have local, Long Island roots,” said Patchogue Rotary Club president Steve Fuoco.

While the Sept. 28 fundraiser 5K is the 10th annual run the organization has hosted, this is the first time it will take place in Suffolk County, and the first time the event will be part of the greater Suffolk County Veterans Run Series.

“We always wanted to include the VetDogs run in our series, and now that they’ve moved the event to Suffolk, we finally have that opportunity,” said Northport Gold Star father Tim Scherer, who worked with former Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone and other veterans’ race directors to found the series. Scherer, who recently retired the “I Did the Grid” run in memory of his son, U.S. Marine Cpl. Chris Scherer, who lost his life to enemy sniper fire in Iraq in 2007, also joined the VetDogs Race Committee to help ensure its success.

Joining Scherer on the committee is Patchogue Rotarian Ryan McGarry, who worked with Scherer and Bellone on the creation of both the marathon and Veterans Run Series during his tenure with the county. “Having the opportunity to continue working with Tim on behalf of our veterans has been a true honor, and it is our sincere hope that the event’s inclusion in the series will help boost this year’s turnout and support,” added McGarry, who invited the organization to attend the Rotary meeting.

While America’s VetDogs is, of course, looking for more participants, sponsors, and volunteers for the September event, Rosen made clear that the time is always right to support, give, and get involved with the nonprofit organization.

“America’s VetDogs is a national nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans, first responders, and active-duty service members with disabilities at no charge to the individual. It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog. Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and community organizations,” said Rosen, who noted much of their funding comes from local, grassroots, individual-level giving.

People interested in supporting the organization can do so in a myriad of ways. From assisting with fundraising events to serving as a puppy raiser, the organization is always looking to engage passionate volunteers, and those who are able to give their time and support do so knowing that they are having a direct and positive impact on the lives of individuals and the animals who serve them.

“Kenzo is absolutely my best friend,” said Gardner. “Knowing that I am not alone, he gives me strength and helped me find myself again. Without donations funding America’s VetDogs, my placement with Kenzo wouldn’t have been possible and he wouldn’t have changed my life for the better. So, anything I can do to give back, I do it,” Gardner added, expressing his gratitude to the Patchogue Rotary Club for the opportunity to share his story.

Those interested in getting more involved with either the Patchogue Rotary Club and/or America’s VetDogs are invited to learn more by visiting PatchogueRotary.com, or VetDogs.org. Representatives from both organizations will also be onsite at Smithtown Elementary School on Sept. 28 for the annual VetDogs 5K and Dog Walk.