The Star of the North Marine Corps League gave Darius Simon a $1,500 boost Oct. 17 toward obtaining and training his new service dog.
Simon, a former veterans service officer who now works with Minnesota Disabled American Veterans, adopted a Belgian malinois named Odin two week ago from a breeder in South Carolina.
Now 8 weeks old, Odin will be ready to start training at 12 weeks with Jordan Carr at Dakota K9 Academy in West Fargo, N.D. "So, we have four more weeks of getting used to the world," said Simon.
His previous dog, Max, died after being struck by a vehicle on Sept. 29. To fill the void, Simon said, he looked for a working-breed dog with high intelligence and energy.
"I'd worked with malinois in the past," he said, "so I knew the history behind the dog and their work ethic. So, it came down to him, a German shepherd and a Lab again. I had looked at a couple of different breeds and went to talk to breeders.
"When I flew out to see him, he just matched. He came up to me. He kind of chose me."
"Every veterans' service organization from Park Rapids has pitched in," he said.
While presenting the check, Ron Masanz with the Marine Corps League said the donation was in recognition of Simon's services to veterans in the area.
"He's done a lot for veterans throughout Hubbard County and outside Hubbard County," said League Commander Don Haagenson.
Simon, a former veterans service officer who now works with Minnesota Disabled American Veterans, adopted a Belgian malinois named Odin two week ago from a breeder in South Carolina.
Now 8 weeks old, Odin will be ready to start training at 12 weeks with Jordan Carr at Dakota K9 Academy in West Fargo, N.D. "So, we have four more weeks of getting used to the world," said Simon.
His previous dog, Max, died after being struck by a vehicle on Sept. 29. To fill the void, Simon said, he looked for a working-breed dog with high intelligence and energy.
"I'd worked with malinois in the past," he said, "so I knew the history behind the dog and their work ethic. So, it came down to him, a German shepherd and a Lab again. I had looked at a couple of different breeds and went to talk to breeders.
"When I flew out to see him, he just matched. He came up to me. He kind of chose me."
"Every veterans' service organization from Park Rapids has pitched in," he said.
While presenting the check, Ron Masanz with the Marine Corps League said the donation was in recognition of Simon's services to veterans in the area.
"He's done a lot for veterans throughout Hubbard County and outside Hubbard County," said League Commander Don Haagenson.
Marine Corps League helps Simon get service dog
The $1,500 donation will help Darius Simon with the state DAV after his previous dog was hit by a car.
www.parkrapidsenterprise.com