EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, November 6, 2016 —

American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, sponsored the surprise gift of a trained Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) service dog, presented to a military veteran during the New York Giants game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium today.

Army veteran Steve DeVries, a native New Yorker and lifelong Giants fan, received the service dog on the field in a special surprise ceremony between the first and second quarters. 

American Humane has supported the U.S. military for over a century. The organization continues to honor this legacy today with its Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, which includes a program dedicated to providing lifesaving service dogs to veterans in need.

“We’re thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to put a healing leash in the hands of a military veteran,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “It’s a privilege to recognize the incredible service and sacrifice of Mr. DeVries with this special gift,” Ganzert said. “On behalf of American Humane, thank you to all of our armed service members for your heroic contributions to our country.” 

“A service dog will be able to assist me with mobility issues, as well as merge into my routine and allow me to mitigate my PTS symptoms to ensure my family and I can live a normal life within our community,” DeVries said. “This service dog will give my wife back her husband, and my children will have their father back in their lives.”

The Giants-Eagle match-up was part of the National Football League’s “Salute to Service” campaign honoring veterans and active-duty members of the military. American Humane, along with Semper K-9 and the United War Veterans Council, partnered with the Giants to present the service dog.

“We’re honored to be a part of the N.F.L.’s contributions in direct support of US Army veteran Steve DeVries,” said Dan McSweeney, president of the United War Veterans Council. “Partnering with American Humane is a great way to collaborate. We salute their work and the broader effort in the veterans community to coordinate for a greater good.” 

“Our mission is to enhance the lives of wounded veterans in need by providing them with service dogs,” said Christopher Baity, executive director of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs. “We’re thrilled to save two lives today.” 

American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, and is always the first to serve whenever and wherever animals are in need. To learn more about American Humane, please visit https://www.americanhumane.org/.  

To learn more about American Humane’s Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, please visithttps://www.americanhumane.org/program/military/.