Many war veterans come home a shadow of their former selves in need of our help, love, and understanding. They often struggle transitioning back into civilian life, and can suffer with debilitating health conditions for the rest of their lives. It is estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide everyday, according to IAVA.org 300,000 suffer with PTSD, and up to 50,000 are homeless. There are not enough governmental, or social supports to help these people who loyally served their country to get their lives back, and to be able to fully productively function in society. There are huge obstacles they have to contend with like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, invisible physical wounds like Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), physical disabilities, amputations, and much more.

Paws for Purple Hearts is an organization that helps pair veterans with service dogs. The dogs are specially trained psychiatric, mobility, therapy dogs that observe, intervene, and assist their Veteran owners. They help them cope with their symptoms of, PTSD, TBI, physical limitations, and improve their quality of life. The statistics are beyond tragic and inexcusable. Veterans willingly risked their lives to protect all of ours. They deserve to be well cared for when they return home, both by government and society as a whole.

Paws for Purple Hearts has teamed up with, Jerry Schemmel who is an Author, Broadcaster, and cyclist to do, “The Venture For Veterans, Colorado Cycling Challenge.” On August 31 and September 1st 2017, Jerry is going to attempt to break the solo bicycle speed record across the state of Colorado, west to east. It is 468 miles, with an elevation gain of 7,400 feet over the Continental Divide. In the process, he will be raising money for Paws For Purple Hearts to train service dogs for other veterans. A film crew will be following the race, with plans to produce a documentary about the venture. Jerry will be working hard trying to make a difference in veteran’s lives, and we hope you will support him in this noble challenge by donating at this LINK Donations are 100% tax deductible. We here at Faithreel.org wish, Jerry and Paws for Purple Hearts much success. To all our veterans around the world we send out a big, THANK YOU for your service from the bottom of our hearts.