Soldier’s Wish, founded in 2013 by Jim Moore, supports veterans, service members, and their families through direct resources and public education. Now in its 12th year under Executive Director and Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee, the small but dedicated team continues to make a big impact.

In 2024, Paws for Patriots began with trainer Nicole Ingraham, turning a simple conversation into a program granting service dog wishes. Partnering with breeders and rescues, Soldier’s Wish sourced golden retrievers capable of meeting veterans’ diverse needs. Before long, the program grew to six dogs, even before the first pairings.

As veterans were paired with their dogs, a new community formed. Like their military bonds, they supported one another through training, adapting dogs to gunfire, boat rides, and eventually air travel. With community support and grants, Paws for Patriots reached its funding goal this year—but the mission continues. With more veteran-dog pairings planned, your help can make a life-changing difference.

As the dogs were paired with their veterans and we dove further into their training, we watched the veterans become a support group of their own. In the military we are all bonded by the experiences we share regardless of branch or rank. That bond stays with us even after our days of service to this country are over. Gather any veterans, no matter when they served, and have them discuss Basic Training, deployments or a certain duty station and they will become like old friends. So it was no surprise they looked to each other for that same comradery. Just like in the military they encourage each other and are there for one another while training side by side.

 

As time went on the veterans themselves started giving greater insight to their individual needs and the activities they participate in. Outside of the normal trips to stores and restaurants, we started taking the group to the shooting range to get the dogs used to the sound of gunfire and the smell of gunpowder. We went on boat rides to get the dogs used to the sound of the motor and the feeling of being on the water. The list goes on. Now we are working on funding the flights for the veterans and their service dogs. So that they may get the experience and training needed to navigate the difficulties they may face when traveling by plane. Something that can be stressful for even a person without any disabilities.

 

Today we are proud to announce that we reached our funding goal for the Paws for Patriots program this year. This is greatly due to everyone in the community that donated directly or attended one of our events. We were even selected by Cox Communications for a grant in August. Our mission is not yet over though, we already have two more veterans and dogs lined up for next year that we need help funding. We ask everyone that can go to our website www.soldierswish.org and make a donation directly to Paws for Patriots. With your help we can change the lives of more veterans through the granting of a wish for a service dog.

 

 

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