Service dog Irwin has completed his service animal training and was paired with a veteran, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colin Cummings.
Irwin is named after the founder of the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Irwin Thomases. Since 2012, the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation has donated $46,095 to Vets Helping Heroes and has pledged annual support as Irwin Thomases would have done in his lifetime. Thomases was a longtime supporter of Vets Helping Heroes, which was started by another local Irwin, Irwin Stovroff.
Vets Helping Heroes provides a professionally trained assistance dog prepared by a qualified instructor to every disabled hero wounded in the global war on terrorism to enable them to return to a life with dignity and self-reliance, whether they are visually impaired or have other special needs. All of the services are provided at no cost to the veteran.
The puppy Irwin began his training at Pawsitive Partnership Dog Training in Cherry Log, Ga. when he was 12 weeks old.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Colin Cummings poses with his service dog, Irwin. Irwin is named after the founder of the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, Irwin Thomases.