‘JAVELAN’ program in Nebraska training dogs for veterans and retired first responders

NORFOLK, Neb. (KTIV) – An Omaha-based nonprofit is working to pair veterans and retired first responders with free service dogs; and, it has expanded its mission to include northeast Nebraska.

This program is called “JAVELAN,” which stands for Jack Assisting Veterans Enjoy Life AgaiN, and is named for the group’s first service dog graduate: a pup named Jack.

Since 2016, JAVELAN has helped veterans and retired first responders get set up with service dogs. Their work has grown up through Siouxland and into Norfolk, Nebraska.

Sallie is the newest addition to Larry and Mary Birch’s family. Larry, who was a physician at Tripler and Fort Riley, suffers from advanced stages of Parkinson’s Disease and has mobility issues. The two were introduced to JAVELAN by a family member and have trained with Sallie for a year.

“She has been a wonderful source of comfort and helps Larry getting going in the morning,” said Mary. “And he walks really well with her.”

“Dealing with previous patients with neurological diseases like Parkinson’s, I know the worst thing you can do is sit and not do something,” said Larry. “The dog gets me motivated to get up and exercise.”

The organization helps veterans and retired first responders. But, the dogs benefit, as well. Almost all of the dogs selected for training are brought in from shelter, some were even on the list to be put to sleep.

“I’ve got veteran friends that basically wouldn’t be here without their service dogs, so it’s really important for me to not only save lives of the dogs, but also save the lives of my friends, and it’s a great purpose to be able to do both at the same time,” said the manager of the Animal Shelter in Norfolk, Lisa Stapp.

Another way that JAVELAN sets itself apart from other programs is by how they train their dogs. Typically, the dogs are trained out of state and the owners are brought in over the course of two weeks to learn commands; but with JAVELAN, the dogs are trained with their owners over the course of 9 months.

“With Sallie, for example, we work on basic obedience in the home. She needs to learn to not run out the door, how to stay on her bed,” said one of JAVELAN’s trainers in the Norfolk area, Jean Allen. “Larry walks with her around the community; we went to the physical therapy office, just learning how to go into a building. She’s learning how to be a dog in the community as a mobility dog with Larry and Mary.”

“We’re actually teaching the owner to train the dog, they have a much more positive connection with each other; and then that’s a lifetime bond with that pet,” said Stapp. “It’s just much more personal, and much more effective over time.”

“She helps with walking and stuff, which is dramatic, but she also helps me emotionally,” said Larry. “She makes me smile.”

“Larry is always saying that Parkinson’s takes away your ability to smile, but Sallie helps him get past that hump,” said Mary.

In the near future, JAVELAN plans to expand its operations with chapters in Sioux Falls, Spencer, Norfolk, and Sioux City – they say they’ll need to have more manpower to do so.

If you’re interested in joining the JAVELAN program, or would just like to learn more about them, follow this link.

If you’d like to get in contact with the Norfolk Animal Shelter, follow his link.

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