INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Dogs For Life, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people and dogs through training Assistance Dogs, kicked off its new year by hosting a Ground Breaking Ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 11, at its off-leash dog park located at 1230 16th Ave., Vero Beach.
Construction of the Dogs For Life Training Center will begin this month and will be used primarily for the pre-training of hearing and service dogs for disabled individuals in our community and veterans struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders.
Additionally, the Center will allow DFL to offer more basic obedience and behavior classes and daily and short-term use of the dog park.
Attending were Members of the DFL Board of Directors and several DFL certified assistance dog teams.
Speakers included Penny Chandler, President, Chamer of Commerce of Vero Beach and Indian River County; Colonel, USAF (ret.) Martin J. Zickert, President of the Veterans Council of Indian River County; Christopher Taylor, Pastor of Antioch Primitive Baptist Church; Anthony Donadio, Donadio and Associates Architect; Chris Bryant of Bill Bryant & Associates Inc.; Shelly Ferger, Dogs For Life, Inc. Founder, President & CEO; James Taylor, US Army (Ret.), with his service dog Pia Pia, and Beth Sexton-Stryker, a DFL Board Member, with her hearing dog, Tigger. James Taylor and Beth Sexton-Stryker provided remarks about their experiences with Dogs For Life and how their specially trained dogs have changed their lives.
It was a joyous event attended by many donors, friends, and dog park members. Immediately following the ground breaking ceremony was the Annual DFL Donor and Volunteer Appreciation Event.
