The culmination of compassion, charity, and patience was displayed at a recent Chargers game when service dog River was gifted to a military veteran.
In December, Paws for Life and California Medical Facility staff attended the Inspire Change game at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles for the Chargers game. Alex Tonner and Jon Grobman, of Paws for Life, were honored as the Charger’s Inspire Change Changemaker Award winners during halftime.
Following the awards ceremony, K-9 River was gifted as a service dog to a military veteran.
See the beginning of River’s story.
Their dedication to the Paws for Life program has notably contributed to one of the region’s most successful incarcerated rehabilitation initiatives. The award acknowledges individuals making significant contributions across Inspire Change’s focus areas. These areas include education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform.
K-9 River adopted to new home
Following the special halftime recognition, K-9 River was presented as a service animal to military veteran Jade. The Chargers also gifted Jade with a Super Bowl LVIII ticket, where she will join Tonner and Grobman. The NFL Foundation also donated $10,000 to the Paws for Life K-9 Rescue in Tonner and Grobman’s names.
Paws for Life stands at the forefront of innovative and life-changing programs centered around shelter dog training in CDCR. The program empowers incarcerated people through the work they do.
“Bringing Jade and River together at the Chargers stadium was truly a healing experience for all involved. I am so proud of the dedication our incarcerated trainers at California Medical Facility put into training service dogs for our veterans of war. (The trainers) use their patience and skills to make amends, as many of them are veterans themselves,” said Tonner.
Story by Lt. P. Gonzalez, California Medical Facility
Photos by LA Chargers Staff
Learn more about CDCR’s K-9 programs.
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