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In just three years, he has donated 170 guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs or service dogs for veterans. The majority of the dogs funded by Annenberg have been for veterans. Because there are waiting lists at almost every training school and experts say thousands of veterans would benefit from a dog, Annenberg plans to accelerate the dog grant program. Warrior Canine Connection in Brookeville, Md., is just one of the dog training schools Annenberg uses, but it's also one of the most unique because dogs are raised for, by and with veterans. The latest group of nine puppies is even named after veterans, said Warrior Canine executive director Rick Yount. Called the "honor litter," they are Bre, Luke, Gavin, Leigh Ann, Derek, Nick, Florence, Cody and Stanley. "It's a good way to say, 'We are not forgetting about your sacrifices.' And they (the namesakes) get to spend time with the puppies and get therapy themselves," Yount said. Trained veterans teach the puppies for the first eight to 12 weeks. Then the dogs go live with volunteers from military or veteran's organizations. "By the time a dog is fully trained, over 500 vets and service members have been involved in getting it ready," Yount said. "Hearing the stories of how these dogs help bring their humans out of the darkness is incredible. In some instances, having the companionship of a dog is what motivates them to keep going -- it gives them a purpose and reason to get up in the morning," said Dog Bless You fan Rachel Nelken of Vancouver, British Columbia.
As Lucky aged and slowed down, the format of Dog Bless You changed, becoming a tribute to every dog. And Lucky had to retire from traveling. Annenberg misses Lucky at work. "He was my partner on all these trips," he said. "It's not the same. He would open the door and make me look good. People always stopped and petted him. Everyone wanted to keep Lucky, especially the coal miners. Isn't it interesting that every day was a new day for Lucky? And he just wanted to be petted? It's been a great ride."
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