A military mechanic from Canadian Forces Base Shilo, MB, Sergeant Rob Nederlof, is making a 1,000-kilometre trip ending in Kenora, aiming to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors PTSD Service Dog program.
This is Nederlof’s third consecutive summer raising awareness about mental health issues of veterans and EMS workers, while also raising money to help fund the support dog program, through his bicycle ride across Canada.
Nederlof plans to leave Saskatoon on Aug. 11, and is scheduled to arrive in Kenora, Ontario by Aug. 19.
“I’m doing this because I want to raise awareness and funds for the Wounded Warriors PTSD support dog program,” said Nederlof.
“I’ve had a lot of friends with PTSD on the military side, as well as first line responders, and having a support dog helps them cope with life after their traumatic experiences.”
Throughout his journey, Nerderlof said he hopes to catch people's attention and grow awareness of the cause.
“The more awareness the better, but I also want to help raise funds for training support dogs, that’s basically what our goal is,” he said.
“It costs $15,000 to $17,000 for a dog, which is a lot of money, but if we can help get the funds together to raise money for at least one support dog, then we’re saving a life, whether it’s a veteran or even a first responder.
“Because it’s through Wounded Warriors, they deal with military as well as first responders, police, firefighters, ambulance, and so on.”
Those who are interested in following Nerderlof's journey can stay posted at the Prairie Thousand Facebook page.
Nederlof has raised a total of $53,397 over the past two years, more than his initial goal of raising $12,000 for the Wounded Warriors PTSD Service Dog program.
Nederlof spoke about why the PTSD dog support program is dear to him.
“I have my own issues and this is one way of dealing with them,” he said. “That’s how I come about helping others in the same situation who just don’t have any outlets or anything like that, so having a support dog helps them.”
Local Journalism Initiative/The World-Spectator
