Donate To Freedoms Fund
First Steps:
In order to train a dog, they need a name. Coincidentally, one of K9s for Warriors’ corporate sponsors, PetSmart ® had recently held a nationwide naming contest for a Service Dog–in–training. Since their customers knew this was for a dog being trained to help a Military servicemember or veteran, the name they voted in was “Freedom”! With his new name, Freedom entered and completed the basic training for Service Dogs and displayed an exceptional aptitude for not only his required tasks, but for empathy and overall “lovability”! Anyone who ever met him immediately recognized that natural ability. The Partnership:
Jim Kuiken served in the Marine Corps for 30 years (1973-2003, Active & Reserve), and retired from his last post as the Force Sergeant Major of Marine Forces Pacific (the largest combatant command in the Marine Corps) during Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a decorated, combat-wounded veteran of multiple wars/conflicts, from operations at the end of Vietnam, to the Gulf War, Bosnia, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom and various others. Among several other Military Occupational Specialties (MOS’s), a good portion of his career was spent serving as a Recon and Force Recon Marine, as well as other special operations positions and units. Sergeant Major Kuiken was diagnosed with significant PTS and TBI, and was having serious difficulties, when he was referred to K9s For Warriors ©, who, recognizing the immediate need for a Service Dog, expedited his acceptance into the program, and chose Freedom specifically to partner with Jim. It was an immediate and profound bond with significant effects on Jim. YouTube: James Kuiken on How a Dog Saved His Life (www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1IRjpCwRnc) Saving Lives:
In early 2016, a former teammate of Jim’s (they were stationed together on Guam) contacted him and asked him to meet in Washington DC, to introduce him to John Wells, Chairman of the Board of Military-Veterans Advocacy ®, a non-profit that focuses on assisting classes of Servicemembers and Veterans by facilitating policy and law changes, through Legislation by working with Congressional (House and Senate) Members and offices, to create, influence or change legislation, or through Federal Courts by filing lawsuits against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or briefs to affect change in various laws by joining with various lawsuits, or through the Federal Administrative Procedure Act, filing a Rulemaking Request with the VA. MVA also provides Continuing Legal Education (CLE) on Veteran’s Law, through educational seminars and classes for Attorneys. Jim was asked to join MVA, and eventually became the Vice Chairman of the Board. As always, with everything Jim ever did…Freedom was right there by his side, walking the halls of Congress, sitting in Federal Courts, attending various committee meetings, etc. Freedom became so well known and loved in both the House and Senate, that any time the scheduler called to set meetings, the Congressional staff would universally ask “Is Freedom coming too?” They were much more interested in seeing him than anyone else on the team. In fact, Freedom was a DIRECT reason that we were able to get so many in-person meetings with the various Representatives and Senators, because they wanted to see him each time too! He was even a big hit at the White House when MVA had a meeting there to talk about current legislation affecting Veterans. Freedom served on the Hill and everywhere MVA went from 2016 through 2022, at which time he retired for medical reasons. After a year of medical treatments and support, Freedom passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family. |
The Beginning:
Freedom (unnamed at the time) was a small puppy when he was found on the side of the road, apparently thrown out of a passing car. He was very skinny (didn’t even have enough muscle to stand up), had obvious signs of physical abuse, dehydration and starvation, and had scabbed and raw marks around his neck, which appeared to be from a large, heavy chain. Even as he was picked up and taken to the pound, he seemed to be very grateful and not at all aggressive. When they got him to the (High-Kill) “Shelter” there in Kentucky, the attendant did not believe he could be saved, and he was listed for immediate euthanasia, which would take place within the week. During that week, a lady was walking through the shelter, spotted the starved and abused puppy, and fell in love with his face…and luckily, she took him home and fed him back to health. She also named him “Charlie”. Within a few months, after he was back to full health, she contacted K9s For Warriors © (an organization that trains Service Dogs for wounded, disabled or otherwise impaired Military Veterans), and after they checked him over, they accepted him for training. Sharing the Wealth:
After they were partnered, Freedom had such a profound and visible effect on Jim that K9s For Warriors © asked him to do a presentation on how the partnership worked, what (specifically) Freedom had done for him and how he affected Jim’s (formerly) aggressive reactions to PTS stimulus, his ability to handle crowds, loud/sharp noises, his basic relationships with loved ones and other people, and his general ability to integrate into society and “come out” of his self-protective shell. This went over so well, and was so universally appreciated, that Jim and Freedom were sent to several different venues, states and events to speak on behalf of the effectiveness of the K9 (Service Dog) and Veteran team, the bond, and the mitigation of the negative effects of a servicemember’s service, combat, Military Sexual Trauma, and other negative influences. Over the next few years, Jim and Freedom continued public speaking and helping others through various venues. Freedom’s Fund – Continuing his Legacy:
Freedom’s legacy of saving lives is based upon his 6 years of working with MVA on the Hill and in the Courts. His mere presence ensured more direct face-time with Congressional Members and senior staff, with multiple VA Secretaries and senior staff, and with various legal professionals, court staff and representatives. MVA credits his presence with significant influence on our ability to Litigate, Legislate and Educate on behalf of millions of Veterans and Servicemembers. Based on the bills, meetings, court cases and other activities that Freedom assisted in facilitating during those 6 years, it is estimated that he assisted over 200,000 (two hundred thousand) Veterans in receiving or increasing their earned benefits through new law, court cases and other efforts. In his name, the Freedom’s Fund campaign has been created, and the goal is to raise at least one dollar ($1.00) for each Veteran that Freedom impacted and helped. This would be an annual fundraising campaign in Freedom’s name (yes, both meanings of Freedom), which will go directly to continuing the effort that Freedom and MVA worked so hard on – improving and obtaining the EARNED benefits that Veterans deserve for their service to this Country. In FREEDOM’s name. |