GSMCR Donates to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs

Published by Editor on November 29, 2021.
Published under Jefferson County, Martha Washington Chapter DAR

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) in Lenoir City received a donation of $250.00 from the Greater Smoky Mountain Council of Regents (GSMCR), National Society, of Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) on November 18. SMSD Board Member Chuck Stewart and team member black Labrador Sadie accepted the check.

Members present from the Spencer Clack Chapter, NSDAR, were Chapter Regent Deborah Perdue and Second Vice Regent Tracie Widner. First Vice Regent Janet Guyett represented the Martha Dandridge Washington (MDW) Chapter, NSDAR

Canine Fitness Trainer/Facilities Manager Darrell Wilkerson shared a short history of SMSD, and SMSD Lead Trainer Susan Shemwell-Randal gave a demonstration with Sadie.

Labrador dogs selected for the program receive 15,000 to 18,000 hours of training and learn 40 commands before being matched with a disabled veteran. Veterans are screened for individual needs, and dogs are teamed and fine-tuned to provide for the needs of their veterans. Regular “check-ups” on both monitor how each is doing. Veterinarian and grooming needs are provided by SMSD at no cost to the veteran.

To date, SMSD has placed 47 dogs with veterans within a 350-mile radius of the Lenoir City location. Although exceptions are rare, SMSD has placed two dogs in Oregon and one in Arizona.

Upon a team’s graduation, SMSD presents the veteran with a cane, a cross, and a Quilt of Valor.

For information about the DAR, contact Registrar Karen McFarland at (865) 258-8670 or Regent Jane Chambers at (865) 591-3857.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs Board Member Chuck Stewart and team member “Sadie” received a check for $250.00 from NSDAR Greater Smoky Mountain Council of Regents representatives (l. to r.) Tracie Widner, Deborah Perdue, and Janet Guyett.