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Home Depot Celebration of Service: Stiggy’s Dogs

September 27, 2012 · By Diane Henkler · 10 Comments

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Last week I was honored to attend my first Home Depot Celebration of Service event as one of the bloggers in the Home Depot Blogger Network.

Stiggys-Dogs-Home-Depot-Blo

We met at the home of Jennifer Petre, the founder of Stiggy’s Dogs near Howell, Michigan.  She and her husband won Aprons In Action on The Home Depot Facebook Page. They were awarded $25,000—a small part of the $50 million commitment from The Home Depot Foundation to help Veterans programs around the country.

Jennifer founded Stiggy’s Dogs in memory of her nephew, HM3 Benjamin Phillip (“Doc Stiggy”) Castiglione who lost his life at the age of 22 while serving our country. Their tagline tells it all – Rescuing One to Rescue Another.  Stiggy’s Dogs transforms shelter dogs into individually trained Psychiatric Service Animals for our military veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Tramatic Brain Injuries.

Doc Stiggy

The house where Stiggy’s Dogs is located was the childhood home of Jennifer’s husband.  They live upstairs and the first floor and basement are set up to house the veterans while they are getting trained with their dogs.  With the money from the Home Depot Foundation, the house is getting many upgrades to make it wheelchair accessible and better designed for the veterans and dogs to live.  For instance, the basement and formal living room are being made into bedrooms. Even the grounds around the house are getting some benches and tables outside for the veterans to enjoy the outdoors during the warmer months.   All the improvements will make the house feel like home to all the veterans who are lucky enough to get matched up with a service dog.

Vetrans-and-Dogs

When we arrived early in the morning it was a flurry of orange activity everywhere.  More than 100 Michigan Home Depot employees were already working on their day off doing everything from weeding the gardens, putting in a new kitchen, and building a wheelchair ramp, along with dozens of other home improvement projects. It was a sea of orange.

Home Depot Team Michigan at Stiggys Dogs

Everyone in attendance was given a job to do.  As the blogging team we were there to help, but also learn the why and how of everything that was being done. Not only were cosmetic fixes being done to the house, but energy saving improvements were being made as well – like caulking around the windows and doors, using the right air filters in the furnace, to a installing a programmable thermostat and replacing all the light bulbs with energy efficient types like Dimmable LED and Soft White CFL’s.

Orange-Workers

Frank Blake, the CEO of Home Depot was there to lend a hand and cheer us on during the day.  He sat with the bloggers during breakfast.  He was a lot of fun and very down to earth telling us about his own family and wanting to know more about us and how Pinterest works.

Frank-Blake

Michael, one of the veterans, we got to meet and his family were adorable. He and his wife told us how he had suffered from flashback nightmares for 9 years, but now his service dog, Barrett, is trained to wake him up from his nightmares as soon as they start.  She tearfully shared with us how in just six short weeks of having his dog, her husband’s life has completely changed.  Barrett fits right into their family.  He goes everywhere with Michael wearing his blue and white service jacket. We got to meet Barrett on his downtime – no service jacket required – which meant we could pet him.

family

It was quite a remarkable event – to see so many volunteers in actions. The part that brought tears to my eyes was when Jennifer accepted the check from Frank Blake, Home Depot CEO.  She could barely speak she was so happy and could not believe everyone was there to help make her dreams come true for Stiggy’s Dogs.  After all the emotion, we did have fun.  Here is a photo of the bloggers with Jennifer who is holding a Bobble Head doll of the Frank Blake.

Home Depot Bloggers Network at Stiggy's Dogs in Howell Michigan

I am proud and honored to have been able to lend a hand in a few of the home improvements being done and to help tell the story about Stiggy’s Dogs and other events that will be happening around the country as part of the Home Depot Blogging Network.   At the end of the day you could see completion and progress everywhere you looked.  A big thanks to the volunteers of the Howell, Michigan Home Depot and the Home Depot Foundation.

There is a two  year waiting list for our veterans to be paired with a service dog.    If you would like to help the organization or learn more about them, visit Stiggy’s Dogs for more information.

 

Home-Depot-COS-Blogger-Badg

 

 

The Home Depot partnered with bloggers such as me for their Celebration of Service Blog Network.  As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about any product mentioned in these posts. The Home Depot believes that consumers
and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. The Home Depot’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

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Filed Under: Home Depot

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Comments

  1. SB Hoffman says

    10/08/2012 at 9:50 am

    This is a wonderful thing to do – both for the dogs and for the veterans. I wish more people would consider rescue. They would be helping themselves. I have 6 rescues. I also have a bumper sticker that says: “Who Rescued Who?” I can’t imagine a life without them, and I have not suffered the trauma these veterans have. For the many men and women that cannot get in a program such as this, I would suggest they look into adopting from a rescue. There is another organization (probably more that I am unaware of) Pets for Patriots that helps war veterans with dog adoption. I would suggest to the veterans to google and see what is available in their area and search out all the possibilities. Time a lot of times if of the essence for them and for the dogs who may be facing death row. Save a dog, save yourself.

    Reply
  2. Jan says

    09/28/2012 at 11:48 pm

    Oh, that’s just another reason to LOVE Home Depot! I’m going to run right down there (as soon as possible) and give them some more of my money (we kid around here that we have Direct Deposit to Home Depot! Not too far off.) It’s a great place.

    Reply
  3. Lorraine says

    09/28/2012 at 9:33 am

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this article – Yay for Home Depot in the US!!!!

    I was wondering if Home Depot here in Canada does something similar to help people in need and also help out dog shelters or something similar. They have the resources to help so many people and animals and I would love to know that they did something like this.

    Is it possible for me to receive a name or e-mail address of someone who can make decisions at Home Deport here in Canada to send this wonderful and happy story???

    Looking forward to your reply,

    Lorraine Frost
    Ontario, Canada
    ;o)

    Reply
    • Diane says

      09/28/2012 at 10:13 am

      HI Lorraine – I do not have any addresses or contacts, but I am sure if you go to the Home Depot Foundation Facebook page you can ask the question.

      https://www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation

      They also have an Aprons In Action site. https://www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation/app_380232235347479

      Another place to find information would be the website for the Home Depot Foundation.

      Reply
  4. Donnamae says

    09/28/2012 at 8:47 am

    What a wonderful post, Diane! We need to do everything we can for our Vets!! ;)

    Reply
  5. Sheryll & Critters. says

    09/28/2012 at 8:10 am

    This is a great. I am glad that she is getting the help to help others. Plus, with you blogging about HD and Stiggy’s Dogs, it will help so much I am sure.

    Reply
  6. JaneEllen says

    09/28/2012 at 12:18 am

    Wow that is such an incredible awesome project. We have a dog that would be perfect for a veteran but don’t think we could give him up now, I rely on him due to hearing loss. But there are alot more where he came from, PetFinders at PetSmart in Grand Junction, Co almost 3yrs. ago.
    Wonder if I could find out if anything like this is going on here as we have an excellent VA hospital in Grand Junction. We also have an excellent animal shelter, Royce-Hurst. They are overflowing with pets needing a forever home, to be loved and useful.
    I think I’ll have to give Home Depot, The VA hospital and the animal shelter a call to find out if this project could be started here. I would so love to see dogs and veterans put together in such an incredible way.
    The more I read I had tears running down my face but my heart was happy to see what was being done in Michigan. Why not here?
    Just recently homes for homeless veterans were opened up. Just in time before Winter starts.

    Reply
    • Anne Boykin says

      09/28/2012 at 5:55 am

      What a great post – I love that Home Depot is doing so much for veterans!

      Reply
  7. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    09/27/2012 at 10:29 pm

    This post make me cry! What a wonderful program. God bless all these sensitive and caring people! Wonderful Post, Diane!

    Reply
  8. Joanna says

    09/27/2012 at 10:16 pm

    What an incredible service they are providing to these men. I am so thankful that my husband doesn’t suffer from PTSD from his time in the Navy, and my heart goes out to the men and women who have both physical and mental injuries from their time protecting our country.

    Reply
Diane Henkler Blogger In My Own Style
I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. It is just the way my brain is wired. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will love...YOURS! LEARN MORE
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