While I reported on this month’s West Fallowfield Township meeting I learned of a wonderful opportunity for veterans. As you know, the memory of the late Staff Sergeant Doug Mowris is dear to me. Doug died in a weapons cache explosion in Afghanistan in 2004. I will cherish the memory of his gentle heart and boisterous personality. The state senate is considering naming a portion of Route 18 in Doug’s honor.
So many veterans return from combat with life-long scars, both physical and mental. This is why I’m so excited to learn that Armstrong Cable has been raising money to provide veterans with service dogs. Armstrong’s Healing Heroes Project’s goal is to pair Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs with veterans.
These highly-trained dogs work with people with diabetes, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and mobility issues. Anyone seeking a Guardian Angel dog must pay the $25 for the application fee, but the dog is provided free of charge.
If you know any veterans who are struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injuries (TBI), please call Tara Hardsock at (724) 482-4885, extension 228. Armstrong hopes to provide eight veterans with service dogs this fall.
It’s amazing what service dogs can do for their owners. A person suffering from PTSD might struggle with severe hypervigilance and believe there is an intruder in his home. He can’t go inside because he’s afraid he’ll be attacked. His service dog is trained to search each room in the house, then return to his owner, signaling the house is safe. The perceived threat is gone, and the owner can go inside without fear.
These dogs must feel like true gifts from God to their owners. It’s no wonder they’re called Guardian Angels.
I cannot believe I’m writing this, but Crawford County Fair season has begun at Fallowfield. We’ll have our first pre-fair pie make at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 24. We’ll also make and freeze pies at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 31, August 7, and August 14.
This year’s Crawford County Fair will be August 19 through 26. Plan on stopping by Fallowfield United Methodist Church’s booth to buy our homemade pie.
Between now and then we’ll pick and freeze blueberries, freeze peaches, order pudding, raisins, sugar, and other ingredients, amongst other things.
As ever, you are welcome to join us at any pre-fair pie makes or at pie bakes and shifts at the fair booth. Let me know and I’ll sign you up. Email me at christylindsay29[@]gmail.com.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!