Upon listening to a radio program revealing that 6,000 precious veterans committed suicide in 2010 from the effects of combat experience, Operation Dog Tag became Joe Scheffer’s vision. As a veteran with the US Marine Corps, he brought to the table his understanding as a combat veteran and his experience as a professional dog trainer. From these humble beginnings came Operation Dog Tag, a Spokane based organization under Point Man International Ministries.

The program instructs veterans to train qualified service dogs to meet the critical needs of other combat veterans, by providing assistance with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, crutches, canes, walkers or those who are wheelchair bound. Joe was given permission to speak with various veterans’ groups, and the psychiatric floor of the VA Hospital. They too, saw the great potential.

Operation Dog Tag is determined to help veterans and their families begin living their lives again by “making man’s best friend even better for a veteran.” Joe hopes that suffering veterans can have a “new day, new hope, and new joy” as unconditional love leads the way. Operation Dog Tag is hoping for a van in order to transport vets or dogs, making it easier to help those unable to provide their own transportation. They would also appreciate any help in attaining items such as products to raffle off, a computer, wheelchairs, dogs that might qualify and volunteers to place phone calls. For more information, call Joe Scheffer at 509-276-4364 or visit OperationDogTag.org