Veterans with PTS

Veterans with PTS

The first event to support a new program for veterans known as Healing Hearts & Paws was held in June at the Blue Moose Bed & Biscuit in Soldotna. The creation of Mike and Ellen Adlam the program will be the first of its kind in the nation. “This project will permit Veterans with PTS an opportunity to use dog therapy to help manage their PTS symptoms. It will provide veterans an opportunity to work with a variety of dogs to learn dog training and handling skills before obtaining a PTS service dog. Over the course of 12 weeks, participants will train one-on-one with our trainers three times weekly and will also work with our staff to learn about behavior, handling, and management of dogs in group settings. The program gives Veterans an introduction to the animal training arena and the beginning skill set necessary for more successfully handling of a PTS service dog,” Adlam told the Dispatch in an interview. “The fundraiser was a great success! We needed to know that we had the community behind us and they stepped up amazingly well. We raised $5500 in grassroots support and we are able to leverage other funds because of it. For a program that hasn’t even started yet, we did really well!! We turned the wall of guns 3 times, we had a few guys buy hundreds of dollars’ worth of tickets for the gun wall because it was for a great cause. Our fire pit from Davis Block was one of our card game prizes and it was a hot seller, no pun intended. All of our gifts were amazing!! When our community comes together, they really do a good job!! To all who donated gifts and prizes, thank you, you truly made it happen! We will do you all proud as we care for our Veterans and welcome them home to their families and our community,” she said.

Visitors to the Healing Hearts & Paws event were also treated to a barn hunt demonstration by Scenting Sports of Alaska, where dogs search and find live rats hidden in containers among bails of straw. As awareness of the pilot program grows community support is increasing says Adlam, “Unique to our program is our inclusion of each Veteran’s healthcare team to ensure improved physical and mental health for the Veteran. Both individual and group counseling and completion of the Mental Health First Aid Program are program components that help to lessen the stigma associated with mental health issues. We work closely with our VA, Federal, and Tribal healthcare partners to ensure that participant Veterans obtain the best possible services for their physical and mental well-being. We’d like to thank Jersey Subs for the awesome sandwiches, the Odom Corp. for the coca cola fountain and beer; The Berry Company, Country Liquor, and the Seldons for the wine, and to all those generous folks who came to support us with set up, tear down, and participation! It was an amazing night that we can’t wait to do it again,” said Adlam. Get more details on Healing Hearts & Paws by visiting Blue Moose Bed & Biscuit on Lovers Lane in Soldotna.

Veterans with PTS
Veterans with PTS
Veterans with PTS
Veterans with PTS
Veterans with PTS
Veterans with PTS

More in News

A demonstrator holds up a sign during the “No Kings” protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer hits the streets to say ‘No Kings’

Around 700 gathered locally as part of a nationwide protest.

Brooklyn Coleman, right, staffs The Squeeze Squad lemonade stand during Lemonade Day in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kids learn business skills at annual Lemonade Day

Around 40 stands were strewn around Soldotna, Kenai, Nikiski and Sterling for the event.

Planes are showcased at the Kenai Air Fair in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai fair shows off aircraft of all kinds

Cargo planes to helicopters were on display Saturday.

David Meyer. Photo courtesy of Chantrelle Meyer
Volunteers continue search for missing Happy Valley man

David Meyer was reported missing June 11 while kayaking in Cook Inlet.

Boats at Douglas Harbor under mostly clear skies on Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
80°F in Juneau will trigger first-ever National Weather Service heat advisories

Officials say sun’s angle in Alaska makes temperatures feel higher compared to other states.

People carrying flags and signs line the Sterling Highway for a “No Kings” protest in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna ‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds

The nationwide protest came the same day as a military parade organized at the behest of the Trump administration.

Council member Jordan Chilson speaks during a Soldotna City Council work session in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna council mulls change to meeting time

Meetings would be moved from 6 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. under a resolution set to be considered on June 25.

Mountain View Elementary School is photographed on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Mountain View vandalized by children, police say

Staff who arrived at the school on Monday found significant damage, according to police.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

Most Read