UT students raise money for nonprofit that gives service dogs to veterans

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Five students at the University of Tennessee are raising money for a nonprofit organization that gives service dogs to veterans.

“It just feels nice to know that we helped impact their lives and made their lives better,” said the Chief Director of Paws 4 Patriots, and UT student, Jake Castello.

As part of a public writing class, he and four of his classmates were tasked with finding and fundraising for a nonprofit.

“We were just searching all over, there are so many fantastic nonprofits, but Smoky Mountain Service Dogs really stuck out to us,” he said.

Their campaign, Paws 4 Patriots, aims to donate $1,200 to the organization that trains and donates service dogs for veterans for free.

“We went up to their facility and spent about an hour, two hours learning everything, seeing how they train the dogs, seeing what trained dogs do look like, and just how it does impact their lives and makes their lives easier,” he said.

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The profits will go to the dogs’ basic medical care, food, and supplies. While the students met for the first time in their classroom, they all found common ground with the organization they chose.

“Although none of us have served, we all had family that did serve, so it did feel like just a way to pay it back and pay our respects to them. Especially the veterans who have been disabled and have had PTSD from the war, that their service dogs really do help them and make an impact in their lives – and that is what stuck out to us,” said Castello.

According to Costello, it is a privilege to help better our veterans’ lives.

“We met some of the previous veterans who’ve taken in a puppy and have gotten a dog from them, and seeing how it impacts their day-to-day life, that is what kind of moved me to choosing this organization because I just know how much it helps them, so if I can do a little it gives a lot back,” he said.

While it began as a class project, Costello hopes to continue working with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. To donate to their cause, you can visit their fundraising website here.

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