They say dogs are man’s best friend — and never has there been a truer statement when it comes to veterans battling post-combat stress and anxiety. Dogs2DogTags (D2DT) is a nonprofit with a mission to save at-risk, rescued or donated dogs; train them; and home them with veterans who may be struggling with mental health conditions, all at no charge to those veterans.
Dogs have always played an integral role in the life of D2DT founder and President Torre Willadsen of Sheboygan Falls. He has more than 20 years of dog training knowledge and practical experience, including on- and off-leash training, as well as explosive and narcotic detection training for dogs and students. He is a certified National Narcotics Detector Dog Handler, is certified in Canine Emergency Procedures and Field Canine Operations, and has received numerous animal training certificates and awards.
His vast experience also includes producing Department of Defense canines for bomb detection, Homeland Security search dogs, TSA bomb and drug search canines, Special Forces Dual and Single Purpose teams, and local and national police search units for forces ranging from the Los Angeles Police Department to the U.S. Capitol Police.
The idea for D2DT came to Willadsen in 2012 when he was deployed as a civilian contractor working with military dogs. During his time with the 7th Marines, he developed close bonds with the 32 dogs and 32 dog handlers — and two alternative handlers — under his guidance.
“I saw the effects the dogs had on the handlers and the rest of the Marines while I was in Afghanistan,” he says. “When they had downtime, even the guys who weren’t dog handlers with the Marines would swing by the kennels to kind of get the comfort feeling of home.
“I mean, let’s face it: labs are always happy to be pet,” he adds, “and to give love and receive it.”
When one of the dog handlers, Chris Van Etten, was wounded in an IED explosion, Willadsen worked to ensure Van Etten and his dog, Harley, were kept together during Van Etten’s recovery. Harley had a significant impact on Van Etten’s well-being during his time, and Willadsen turned that experience into a mission.
He wanted to bring that same kind of unconditional support to those who were struggling with the aftermath of service and suffering from mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Willadsen and D2DT Executive Director Tammy Graf now make connections between veterans and dogs in a variety of ways. Sometimes dog rescues or humane societies will call about dogs that may work as veteran companions. In other instances veterans are the ones who want to give back and donate dogs to the organization, paying it forward to their brothers and sisters in service.
From there the dogs enter training, and the process begins to match the dog’s demeanor and personality with a veteran on the waiting list. Willadsen and Graf ensure the dog is matched to the veteran’s lifestyle and level of activity, so it’s a good fit for both veteran and animal. D2DT also has a formal committee of canine advisors and mentoring professionals, collectively bringing more than 100 years of combined experience, who help the organization.
More than a dozen veterans are on the D2DT waitlist, but the demand is even higher. To help more veterans and place more dogs, the organization is at a crucial point in its growth. D2DT needs to add kennels and expand its existing training facility; the organization is in the midst of a capital building campaign to do so.
Graf says that after hearing the stories and seeing the emotion from those who have served our country, she is “so happy to be a part of this organization.”
“I’m very, very humbled and very proud at the same time to be able to serve our veterans,” she says.
“It’s an honor to be a part of doing this because I was there with the Marines, and I’ve stayed very close to the military life — both retired, and some of my friends are still in it,” Willadsen adds. “And just knowing some of the responses we’ve gotten from families and the recipients about what it’s done for them, it’s always rewarding.”
For more information about D2DT and how your business can help, visit dogs2dogtags.org.
