Burns: $48,000 state grant aids PTSD-suffering veterans, law enforcement
Delivers funding so Cambria County Crime Stoppers can buy, train therapy dogs
Rep. Frank Burns January 8, 2025 | 1:35 PM
JOHNSTOWN, Jan. 8 – Approached with the idea by Cambria County Crime Stoppers, state Rep. Frank Burns recently delivered $48,000 in state funding so the organization can purchase and train therapy dogs for veterans and law enforcement afflicted with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Burns, D-Cambria, has cultivated a strong and fine-tuned working relationship with the Crime Stoppers group, which he credits as the fulcrum that enables them to jointly achieve successes like this for the community.
“I thought their idea was great, and I was happy and eager to help them obtain state funding for it,” Burns said. “Statistically, those who served in the military and law enforcement are more likely to impacted by PTSD compared to the general public, so this grant clearly fulfills a documented need.”
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“Representative Burns knows that veterans and law enforcement officers living with PTSD face unique challenges, and that these specially trained dogs offer not just companionship and emotional support, but can help with daily tasks to make their lives more manageable.” – Gary Martin, president and founder of Cambria County Crime Stoppers
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Gary Martin, president and founder of Cambria County Crime Stoppers, said the grant is the group’s most recent success assisted by Burns, who helps with its yearly “Shop with a Cop” program and who partnered to help take 366 kids to a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game last year.
“Any time we knock on Rep. Burns’ proverbial door, he answers and does all that he can to make something good happen,” Martin said. “This time, his work is helping someone with PTSD that may be attributed to what they saw or experienced in combat or a military training accident, or in a career of witnessing horrific crimes.
“Representative Burns knows that veterans and law enforcement officers living with PTSD face unique challenges, and that these specially trained dogs offer not just companionship and emotional support, but can help with daily tasks to make their lives more manageable.”
Burns said anyone interesting in augmenting the grant awarded through the state Department of Community and Economic Development can make donation to the program by contacting Martin at (814) 421-7825.
“If you or someone you know is in need of a PTSD-trained dog, please contact Martin or Cambria County Crime Stoppers for details,” Burns added.