<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Zonta Club of Beaufort, member of Zonta International which is celebrating its centennial this year, is raising money to sponsor a service dog for a female Marine veteran through K9s for Warriors, an organization which specializes in working with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:image {"id":39571,"align":"left","width":276,"height":495} -->
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img src="https://staging.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/K9s1_n-571x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-39571" width="276" height="495"/><figcaption>K9s For Warriors provides veterans with a highly skilled service canine, a rescued dog with six months specialized training.</figcaption></figure></div>
<!-- /wp:image -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>With Zonta being a women's service organization, this was the deciding factor in selecting this group over others.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The normal waiting time for a dog is 18 months. There are two female Marines on the list are scheduled to attend the training and receive their dogs in the fall.&nbsp;</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The K9s For Warriors training program is an intensive, full-immersion, three-week training course. Each veteran receives a highly skilled service canine (a rescued dog with six months specialized training), individual and group instruction, certification, equipment, educational seminars, veterinary care, meals, transportation and housing. The sponsorship cost is $20,000.&nbsp;</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Zontians feel that with the wonderful relationship between Beaufort and our military this project is perfect and very doable. They are asking for the community's endorsement and support.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Donations will filter through Zonta Club of Beaufort so that it can benchmark its progress, but checks should be made out to K9s For Warriors, as it is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Please mail donations to Zonta Club of Beaufort, P.O. Box 2234, Beaufort, SC 29901.<br></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->