Executive Director of Freedom Dogs
Freedom Dogs is a nonprofit organization devoted to serving wounded members of the military who are being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or other physical impairments. Freedom Dogs’ trainers and specialty service dogs help our Country’s wounded warriors make the challenging transition back to civilian life and in some cases, return to active duty. As Freedom Dogs’ executive director, Peggy Poore has eyes and ears on everything in the nonprofit.
And she is perfect for the job. Poore enjoys a hands-on approach to each aspect of Freedom Dogs. In addition to her administrative duties, she trains dogs, attends training classes and appointments with participants, attends PR events, and ensures Assistance Dog International compliance for Freedom Dogs’ certification.
And that is not all, Poore also works with the Uniformed Services University on the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program to establish standards for a quality service dog organization. “I am actively involved with our trainers, participants and dogs on every level,” Poore shared with GB Magazine.
Growing up with nine siblings, Poore says her love of family and dogs stemmed from childhood. She bred her first litter of labradors in 1988 and continued breeding until last year. Many of her puppies have gone to service dog organizations. Poore showed in AKC Conformation and co-led a 4-H dog program, which teaches youth how to compete in obedience and showmanship classes.
Poore’s involvement with Freedom Dogs came by total chance. In 2010, she worked for a bank when Freedom Dogs’ treasurer came in to make a deposit. Reading “Freedom Dogs” on the check piqued her interest. “My father was an Air Force Captain, my brother was also in the Air Force and deployed to Vietnam, and my husband was a Marine Reservist,” says Poore. “My deep respect, love and support for the military and my love for dogs made Freedom Dogs seem like a natural fit for me.”
Curiosity got the better of Poore, and after calling Freedom Dogs Founder Beth Russell, she was invited to an upcoming training seminar, and the rest is history. “After attending their classes for several weeks, I prayed on the way to one day to use the dogs I have been blessed with for more than dog shows,” Poore said. “I wanted a way to share the gifts I had been given to give back. Freedom Dogs was the perfect venue. Beth invited me that very day to become a trainer and part of the organization.”
Poore knew from the very start of her tenure with Freedom Dogs that the organization’s heart and soul was for the service members. “It is all for them,” Poore says. “I love that we are given the opportunity to walk along in their journey to healing; that they allow us to come alongside them, and we get to witness the incredible strength, determination, and hard work it takes for them to grow, heal and move forward. I am so blessed to see it all come together to see lives changed. I love that our communication with our participants goes on even after they graduate. Anyone who goes through our program becomes family and we are always there for one another.”
www.FreedomDogs.org
