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Hernando County proclaims June 27 National PTSD Awareness Day; honors K9 Partners for Patriots
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation naming June 27, 2025, National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day in Hernando County and recognized K9 Partners for Patriots for training service-dog teams for veterans.
Hernando County commissioners unanimously adopted a proclamation Tuesday recognizing June 27, 2025, as National Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day and formally commending local nonprofit K9 Partners for Patriots for its work pairing veterans with service dogs.
Representatives from K9 Partners for Patriots described the program to the board during the meeting. Greg Laskoski opened the presentation and introduced two program graduates, Frank Cohen and Woody Olsen, who spoke about how service dogs helped them manage PTSD and traumatic brain injury symptoms. Cohen said the program’s six-month training “trains the veterans with the dogs” and that it costs about $18,000 to prepare each veteran–dog team. Woody Olsen told commissioners that his German shepherd, Ruby, had “saved my life.”
The proclamation text submitted to the board said K9 Partners for Patriots was founded in 2014 and stated the organization “has since given nearly 798 veterans an active military a second chance at life from post traumatic stress disorder,” and that 281 of the dogs had been rescued from shelters. Commissioner Champion moved to adopt the proclamation; Commissioner Lockhart seconded, and the board voted to approve it.
Multiple commissioners praised the organization and the veterans who spoke. Commissioner Lockhart described the program as “fantastic,” praised the local leadership of the nonprofit and echoed concerns that communities do more for veterans after service. County Administrator Jeff Rogers said a challenge coin presented to the board would be displayed in the County Administration Building.
The proclamation requires no county budget action; it is a formal recognition by the board. The K9 Partners representatives left brochures for the public and asked interested residents to contact the group directly for details about training and volunteer opportunities.
Ending: K9 Partners for Patriots and the veterans who spoke were invited to be photographed with the commissioners after the vote. The proclamation and remarks will be part of the board record for June 24, 2025.
