LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dogs Helping Heroes is a nonprofit that rescues and trains dogs for veterans, first responders and Gold Star families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The organization has partnered with Tito’s Handmade Vodka to raise more money for its cause.

What You Need To Know

  • Dogs Helping Heroes is a nonprofit that rescues and trains dogs for veterans, first responders and Gold Star families affected by PTSD

  • Sgt. Scott Sturgeon, a veteran who has been a police officer for more than 30 years, rescued a dog that Dogs Helping Heroes trained. The dog has helped Sturgeon manage his PTSD

  • Dogs Helping Heroes has partnered with Tito's Handmade Vodka for a matching campaign that goes until the end of the year

After serving 18 years in the U.S. Army and being a police officer for over 30, Sgt. Scott Sturgeon has seen a lot.

“In the military you deal with a lot, tuck it away and you drive on,” Sturgeon said. “As a policeman, there’s so much. Police, fire and EMS you just deal with so much death, so much violence.”

Sturgeon has PTSD, which led to him feeling uncomfortable around other people.

“I stayed home,” Sturgeon said. “Unless I had to go out, I didn’t.”

Until Revna, a Belgian Malinois, came into his life. He rescued Revna, who was set to be put down.

“I drove down to Memphis, and I met Revna and, man, we fell in love,” Sturgeon said. “I mean, right away she picked me. She came right to me.”

Revna was no ordinary dog. She picked up on Sturgeon’s night terrors, which would happen at least once a week.

“She’d wake me up when they started before I’d wake up,” Sturgeon said.

It was then that Sturgeon reached out to Dogs Helping Heroes.

“Our organization pays for the cost of adoption, training and the materials that they need like crates and leashes and collars,” said Tracey Harris, the executive director of the nonprofit.

Even though Sturgeon already had Revna, he wanted to get her trained to be a service dog. He would not have been able to afford the training without the help of Dogs Helping Heroes.

“Dogs Helping Heroes has just been wonderful about everything and she’s just done great with all her training,” Sturgeon said.

A matching campaign with Tito’s Handmade Vodka will help with the organization’s mission.

“Tito’s Handmade Vodka is matching $25,000 through the end of the year, up to $25,000, to double every donation that comes in through the door up to that amount,” said Sarah Taylor, the philanthropic partnerships manager at the company.

“We’ll be able to roughly fund five dogs, or well double that then when Tito’s matches it, for a total of 10 dogs,” Harris said.

Dogs that will not only help whoever receives them but also become a part of their family.

“Everywhere I go people just fall in love with her,” Sturgeon said. “They go, ‘Oh you’re dog’s beautiful.’ I’m like, ‘I have to agree with you.’ I’m biased, I know, but I think she’s beautiful too, but she’s my best friend, she’s my best friend.”

Dogs Helping Heroes is having a fundraising event on Nov. 7. The nonprofit is trying to raise $25,000 dollars by the end of the year to take full advantage of the Tito’s Handmade Vodka matching campaign. Donations can be made through the Dogs Helping Heroes website.

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