Paws2Heroes is a VAlanthropy mission to receive, train, and present service dogs to
disabled veterans. Our first recipient is Dr. Richard Pimentel, whose achievements are
chronicled in the movie “The Music Within.” The Nampa, Idaho community is honoring
Richard’s accomplishments on July 19 th in Nampa. The service dog training of Richard’s
puppy began in February with a renowned service dog trainer in Statesboro, GA, and will
extend for many months. The puppy has accomplished the socialization and obedience
segment of the training. At this point, Richard knows he has a service dog in training, but
has never met his dog because Richard cannot travel.
Ben Marich, a partner in the VAlanthropy 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is also a 100% disabled veteran and suffers from some of the same ailments as Richard. Ben lives in Denver, CO. His wife Sarah and he have committed to an Epic Journey of Hope and Brotherhood. The journey will be a 7,000-mile automobile road trip to pick up the puppy at the training facility in Statesboro and drive the puppy to the ceremony in Nampa. The ceremony will
be most impactful, surprising Richard and his new life companion, and marking their first in-person meeting.
We invite you to join Ben, Sarah, and the puppy along the route through social media.
Ben and Sarah will leave Denver on June 30th.