Paws and Stripes is excited and humbled to announce that it has received a gift of $700,000, its single largest donation, through the Janice M. Wilson trust.

“When we first heard of Janice’s gift, we were completely blown over” said Paws and Stripes CEO and Founder, Lindsey Kay. “This transformational gift will have an immeasurable impact on the lives of so many veterans, their families and the shelter dogs that are now part of who they are.”

Janice had a heart for people that were going through difficulties and highly regarded those individuals and organizations that would help others. Additionally, she was a huge animal lover and through this passion felt that “every veteran should have a dog” according to her friend, Ellen Briscoe. It was that combination that led Janice to Paws and Stripes. In honor of Janice’s thoughtfulness and support, Paws and Stripes will be naming one of their classrooms used by veterans, volunteers, community members and staff after her.

Since 2010, Paws and Stripes’ mission has been to assist U.S. military veterans suffering from post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well as local shelter dogs, by providing integrative service-dog training and mental health support to veterans and their families. Since then, the program has had 88 veteran/dog teams graduate, helped place over 130 shelter dogs into forever homes and assisted 225 veterans and their families with services.

As we approach this year’s Giving Tuesday (#givingtuesday) on November 27, Paws and Stripes would like to recognize Janice’s gift as well as each and every individual, organization and foundation that has supported their mission of helping save lives, two at a time. “For all of us at Paws and Stripes, this year’s Giving Tuesday has even more meaning. Because of our overwhelming gratefulness for the support that we have received over the past eight years, we feel that it is more of a ‘Thanks’-Giving Tuesday”, said Rich Grainger, Director of Development at Paws and Stripes.

For more information about Paws and Stripes and the impact of their work, please contact Rich Grainger, Director of Development, at 505-705-3606 or Richard@pawsandstripes.org