Marywood University’s Student Veterans Alliance is teaming up with the non-profit organization, Dog T.A.G.S., to raise money to pair veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or Military Sexual Trauma (MST), with rescued shelter or adopted dogs and put them through service dog training. The Tails for Troops event will take place at McDade Park, Scranton, on Saturday, April 16,  from 12–3 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Dog T.A.G.S. is a non-profit organization that trains, assists, guides, and serves veterans who have been diagnosed by the Veteran’s Administration (VA) with PTSD, TBI, or MST, through the operation of a Service Dog Program. The rescued shelter or adopted dogs and the training are provided to the veterans free of charge. The program facilitates healing, assists in building self-confidence in the veterans, and helps increase bonds between the veterans and the dogs.

The goal of the event is to raise enough money to assist wounded military veterans, while at the same time rescuing shelter dogs. There will be a K-9 Talent and Dog Pageant with first and second place overall pageant awards for most patriotic and best trick, along with local shelter dogs available for adoption, food and local vendor sales, basket and 50/50 raffles and music by Rock 107’s Prospector.

For additional information about the “Tails for Troops” event, please contact the Office of Military and Veteran Services at Marywood University, at (570) 961-4584, or email sva@m.marywood.edu. For additional information about the non-profit Dog T.A.G.S. Program, visit www.dogtagsprogram.org/.