Freedom Fido’s, founded by a disabled veteran, is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit which rescues dogs from local shelters, task trains them as service dogs, then releases them to disabled veterans, disadvantaged and special needs children at no cost. This includes the dog, all training, and follow-up support. Despite the tremendous challenge of raising the $4000 it requires to fully train a service dog we are proud that we raise those funds as we believe that our clients have enough on their plate.
Since our inception Freedom Fido’s has rescued 12 dogs and trained 13 active service dog teams. We are currently training 10 veterans and their dogs to be future handlers. In January we will be releasing 7 task trained service dogs to their respective handler in various states across the US. We have gained local and national media coverage in addition to overwhelming local and national support. The need for our services has resulted in a waiting list of 43 individuals.
Due to our phenomenal success and the need for our services we searched for property which will be the Freedom Fido’s facility. We knew we would require at least an acre in addition to the buildings to house 10-20 dogs at any given time due to the one to two years it takes to train a service dog.
We found the property which will meet our needs. We seeking your help in raising the last $13,000 we need to purchase this phenomoanl property. Once this property is purchased it will not belong to just Freedom Fido’s it will belong to the community. We will allow other nonprofits to use our property for meeting, etc. The dogs we rescue, our veterans, and special needs children, need your support in helping us make this come to fruition.
Please join all of us at Freedom Fido’s in cherishing the heart warming and life changing reviews we have received.
Craig Watford:
Wow, I am so happy and excited to find Freedom Fido’s. I have been trying for 1.5 years to get my dog, Jethro, trained to be my service dog. Many organizations wanted to give me one of their dogs but wouldn’t train my dog. The ones that would train Jethro wanted $4000-8000 even though they said it was free to Veterans. Freedom Fidos is a “NO BS”, no fee, for Veterans.
He trains Jethro 2-3 times a week with GREAT improvement. I had been paying $60 an hour to a previous trainer and would only get lessons twice a month. Frequently I waited over two months.. Matt is always on time and willing to be flexible with my schedule needs. I would give this “REAL” non-profit 10 star’s if I could. I can’t find enough words to express how pleased I am.
Boot Sessoms
Although I received some positive results at two other service dog organizations before I found Freedom Fido’s when I found this organization I found some of the benefits I experienced while I was in the Marines. Matt understands me and my needs not only as a service dog handler but also as a veteran. Recently when I informed him I was having a heart catheter he would have been on his way to the hospital immediately if I had allowed him. He taught my dog, Croghan things that no one else had been able to do.
Other organizations taught me what to do as a service dog handler; Matt taught me how to think which has resulted in me getting positive feedback about Croghan every time I am in public. During a recent three day stay in the hospital Croghan behaved so well that he became the nurse’s favorite leaving me a little envious. Matt, and Freedom Fidos has become like family to me.
The Shenyos
A special thanks to Matt Burgess for providing this wonderful dog named Bronson to our son Austin. Matt was able to rescue Bronson from an abusive owner where he suffered much physical and emotional abuse. Austin likewise endured a difficult first several years of his life where he was the victim of both physical and emotional abuse. He was removed from that abusive home life and placed with our family. Austin was adopted into our family along with his sister Trinity.
Matt with his keen sense of understanding dogs was able to see an instant connection between the two. He was very gracious in providing Bronson to Austin. The two have become simply inseparable. They have impacted each other’s life in a most remarkable way, Austin has multiple orthopedic issues that will need medical intervention in the near future as well as ongoing emotional support.
The improvement we have seen in Austin since Bronson entered his life is just amazing. An old poet once said that a dog can somehow sense the innermost workings of the human heart. They both seem to understand the travails the other has endured. Their bond and connection has succeeded all of our expectations. Thanks again Matt. for your graciousness, your service to our country and most of all your friendship. God Bless.
Kathy Vesey Maupin
A great organization for our disabled Veterans at no cost to them, please follow this great disabled Veteran and what he gives back to his fellow Veterans.
Cynthia Kolb Hawley
We love the training we are receiving from Freedom Fido’s. It’s the best we recommend you check it out.
Susan Sejda
Freedom Fido’s is so awesome this page isn’t big enough for me to write. I do know his dedication to his fellow disabled Veteran’s is a service to our Veteran’s on the Grand Strand.
Carl and Beth Colarusso U.S. Army Ret.
We are honored to be able to tell you from experience with Freedom Fidos and Mr. Matt Burgess, that our 7 month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever has been transformed from a puppy to a dog of dignified stature.
Our dog, Gunner, is now a working companion to help keep me calm and centered. I suffer from many back problems and am listed as 100% PTSD from the VA. I feel that I have been given a new lease on life.
Everywhere we go from Dr's offices to grocery stores to group therapy at the VA, Freedom Fido’s and Matt are on our lips. We can't say enough to everyone how Matt has transformed our lives.
Gunner does all that he is asked or expected of him and more. Whether it be walking with my wife Beth around the neighborhood or assisting to needs and providing aid and comfort to me when I am stressed. My health has improved including weight loss, lower blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels from my time spent with Gunner.
We would like to thank Freedom Fido’s and Matt for still serving those of us who served our country.
God Bless America
Carl and Beth Colarusso U.S. Army Ret.
How do we describe what an individual feels when their Service dog once again empowers them for the first time to get out of their house and go to Wal-Mart? What overwhelming emotion does an individual feel when their dog leans against their leg stopping them from falling down? What emotions does a parent experience when their child can once again run and play because the service dog will provide mobility support when it is needed, through one simple command of, “brace?” What must it be like for the tired arms of an individual in a wheelchair when their service dog pulls the wheelchair for them? When a strong man with vertigo is lying on the ground feeling embarrassed, confused, and powerless, what must it be like for that man when his service dog walks up with its tail wagging furiously assisting him to his feet? What does the disabled veteran feel when he is lying on the ground, away from people, feeling scared and hopeless, when suddenly his phone is dropped on his chest by his service dog, as the dog licks his face? What does your best friend working at the bank with a seizure disorder, previously living in a state of fear as she wondered when the next seizure would occur, feel when she now has the confidence her service dog will alert her before her seizure? At Freedom Fido’s we are blessed to witness the answer to those questions on a daily basis. We want all members of our community to witness that with us.
Our valiant men and women that made tremendous sacrifices need Freedom Fido’s and they need each one of you. Individually we can reach milestones; collectively we can climb mountains and reach new heights. Our community can shatter seemingly insurmountable barriers. What do you want your community to look like? I want this community to be one where we don’t leave a man or woman behind. This is not only the promise I have made, but also, any individual who gives their time and skills to Freedom Fido’s. We want to live in a community where taking care of humanity is one of our deepest values. Please come join us. Please help us play our part in making our community one in which we all have a sense of pride that we are Americans, individual differences will not deter us from compassion, with a firm resolve that if we live in this manner every tomorrow will be more fulfilling then today.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Matt Burgess
www.FreedomFidos.org
