Murphy – The Nam Knights Motorcycle Club and Buck Bald Brewing teamed up on Sept. 23 to help U.S. military veterans in need of a canine companion.
There was plenty of food and brew at Buck Bald Brewing, which hosted the event downtown. Music was provided by Jeb Rogers of Asheville, who entertained with classic rock.
David Proctor runs Guardian Service Dogs of Colorado Springs, Colo. He trains dogs to provide medical services. The dogs are not trained for personal protection, but rather to assist their owners with alerts to medical situations such as seizures, sugar imbalances related to diabetes, adrenaline detection and allergies.
Proctor brought his 5-year-old Doberman and service dog, Cthulhu, to the event, as the well-behaved dog is an example of how valuable they can be to their owners. Proctor trains the dogs to be of service to veterans, law enforcement, first responders and firefighters.
If someone needs a service animal but does not have their own, Proctor will assist in finding the right one for the situation. Training is done both in person and online, depending on location. It takes 14-18 months to train the dogs from a puppy through all the steps toward adulthood.
The event attendees were a mix of bikers from different clubs, current and retired law enforcement, veterans, and the general public. Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves, especially knowing it was for a good cause.
Buck Bald Brewing made a special brew just for the fundraiser that was fitting for its theme – Peanut Butter Paws, a chocolate peanut butter stout.
Chris “Sig” Poston with the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club, Appalachian Chapter, organizer of the event, was happy with the day’s turnout.
“Last year, we supported the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office to get them ballistic vests for their dogs and some of the handlers,” Poston said.
“We want to continue our canine supported theme, so this year we’re doing an organization called Guardian Service Dogs that provides not only military vets, but first responders with dogs trained to help them with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
The event drew in about 150 people and raised about $3,000 through a live auction, T-shirt sales and donations.
“We gave a dollar of each beer sold and made a donation to the cause,” said Matt Wright, who runs the Murphy location of Buck Bald Brewing.
This is the second year for the fundraiser. Organizers plan on making it a yearly event.
“Next year, will be bigger and better,” Poston said, with anticipation and excitement in his voice. “We lose 22 a day to suicide from vets, and we’re just trying to reduce that number any way we can.”
Details: guardianservicedogs.com.