Doing What We Love
Friday, March 1st, 2019
I was attending a networking event when suddenly I locked eyes with a handsome fella across the room. He had dark, soulful eyes and the softest, shiniest hair that you’d just love to reach out and touch… His name was Hooligan and he was one of the prettiest black labs I’d ever laid eyes on. That day I met Mike Kitchens, one of the founders of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, and I instantly fell in love with this special organization. Sure, my love of dogs had directed my attention across the room, but after listening to Mike talk with passion and infectious enthusiasm about what this non-profit stands for, and how they drastically improve the lives of the veterans they serve -I was head over heels.
Founded in 2011, Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) provides custom-trained mobility assistance service dogs for veterans with physical and psychological disabilities at absolutely no cost to the veteran. These chosen service dogs receive approximately 1,800 hours of professional training by SMSD trainers, supervised volunteers, fosters and puppy raisers. SMSD is accredited by Assistance Dogs International, and is the only accredited organization headquartered in Tennessee.
The combined efforts of the trainers, non-paid administrative staff, volunteers, puppy raisers and fosters speak volumes about the importance of work that SMSD takes on.
Our relationship with SMSD began when our staff unanimously decided to serve their organization for our Global Day of Service project. (Every fall we pick a project to volunteer our time and work.) They were in need of some improvements and repairs to the onsite kennel caretaker’s home. We arrived that morning and went to work. By day’s end we had completed repairs to replace significantly damaged siding, replaced doors and windows, painted the inside of the home, and landscaped. As the day progressed each worker felt the same sentiment as I did after meeting with Mike that day -nothing but love for this organization and what it stands for. We kept the relationship -and a new service project tradition going, and came back again to build a new front porch on the same home.
At the end of one of the workdays as we were speaking to Mike, he shared their vision to develop their 10 acres of land into a Veterans Canine Campus, which would involve construction of new kennel, indoor training center, and possibly a veterans lodge.
Without hesitation, Ben stated that Testerman Restoration would love to offer our services as their Facilities Development Partner as they move forward with making their vision become a reality.
And so the planning began. Months of meeting and scheduling ensued and very soon the dream started looking more like a reality.
SMSD Tucker and Jim G. at a planning meeting at our office. We love furry visitors! (And Jim too!)
As of March 1, 2019 the grading and site work is well underway with an official “groundbreaking” to be held very soon, as weather permits.
We strongly encourage you to visit their website, www.smokymountainservicedogs.org to learn more…and just like us, fall in love with this organization that so selflessly gives to those who have made a tremendous sacrifice for our freedom -our US Veterans. Donate to the cause or even volunteer, you won’t regret it! It will be an amazing facility.
Stay tuned for more updates as the building progresses!
See you in (a hopefully warmer and dryer) April!
-Amanda