My Nonprofit Reviews

As a client served I enjoy giving back and helping others on their journeys in the training that OPF offers. I’m very greatful for what OFP has done for me and my family, but it is so rewarding to see what Mary and her team are doing in changing the lives of others. The smiles you see are “priceless”.

I have been involved with Operation Freedom Paws for over 4 years now. I started as a client with my dog Abbey in July 2012. Abbey and I became a certified team in June 2013. This program has saved my life and given me a new purpose. OFP has become a very important part of my and my family's life. We have continued in training and now I also serve as a Board Member which I have found to be very rewarding. Seeing changes in lives of other clients as well as my own has been one of the greatest things to be apart of. This is a wonderful organization and I honored to be to be serving with it.

I am a Vietnam Veteran with PTS. My Great Dane, Abbey, and I were accepted into the Operation Freedom Paws "family" by founder/President Mary Cortani in July, 2012. We were certified as a Service Dog Team in June, 2013. Due to my situation at the time, I committed to attending two to three sessions per week. The time Abbey and I spent training was needed for completely bonding. A tremendous amount of healing was going on at the same time. Abbey and I look forward to seeing old and new friends in our training sessions. It's difficult for me to describe how thankful I am to OFP for teaching me the skills needed for finding a new "normal" for myself and my family.

Our experience with Operation Freedom Paws has been life-changing. My wife knew she was slowly losing me to PTSD. Fortunately, my VA counselor recommended OFP to us. Founder, Mary Cortani, accepted me and my puppy as veteran-clients last July, 2012. I committed to the program largely because of Mary's military background in dog training. Our family and friends have been relived and surprised by the progress and healing they have witnessed.

My 130-pound puppy and I enjoy our training sessions and continue to learn new skills from Mary and her team that help us maneuver in public settings. Abbey and I look forward to seeing our OFP family, human and canine. I am able to go out in public again because I have a companion that is trained to assist with my specific needs.

We will continue to volunteer our time to OFP after graduation because the program provides such a valuable service to our veterans. It is also heart warming to see the rescued shelter dogs so happy to please their new owners.

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I'm a disabled Vietnam vet. My dog and were accepted to the training in July of this year. I cannot find enough words to describe how much my life has changed. Having PTSD, it was a major step for me to start. Mary Cortani told me that she would have my back at all times and that OFP was a safe environment. She has done that and more. I find myself looking forward to training and becoming a team with my dog. OFP has changed my life in a very wonderful way. Mary and her great team do a super service to veteran and others with disabilities.

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