The Aad Shrine Meeting and Event Center hosted the Reinforcement 911 annual fundraiser on Saturday, featuring therapy dogs and a raffle alongside a pulled-pork dinner. Reinforcement 911, a non-profit based in Hermantown, focuses on supporting the mental health of first responders and veterans.
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Vice President Anthony Gist, a veteran who has served in the U.S. Navy and the 148th Fighter Wing, highlighted the role of therapy dogs in their operations. His 5-month-old cream golden retriever, Boomer, is undergoing active therapy dog training for deployment with the organization.
Gist shared an example of how therapy dogs provided support during last summer’s wildfires, assisting firefighters by offering comfort in stressful conditions. In addition to their therapy dog efforts, Reinforcement 911 helps fund mental health treatments for veterans and sponsors training for local agencies.