PPCC honors military and working dogs
COLORADO SPRINGS — The military and veteran programs at Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) will honor military and working dogs with several events beginning April 19, culminating in a rededication ceremony for its War Dog Memorial.
Events will include demonstrations of military working dogs, interactions with “Go Team” therapy dogs, local animal rescue, assistance dog training resource fair and presentations on how to interact with assistance dogs.
“PPCC has been supporting military and veteran students since its inception as a college, and their canine friends have always been part of our culture,” said Paul DeCecoo, director of military and veteran programs at PPCC. “Military working dogs have been around since World War II and we owe them a debt of gratitude, just as we do to their human counterparts.”
Nine years ago, the War Dog Memorial was dedicated on the Centennial Campus of the PPCC. The memorial was the work of a former PPCC student veteran and two of the dogs depicted were modeled after real dogs who worked with some of the PPCC veterans.
The memorial has seen wear and tear over the past nine years, so through a collaboration between students, staff, and faculty, PPCC was able to refurbish it. The week of special events honoring working dogs will conclude with a re-dedication ceremony on April 21.
On Tuesday, students were able to relax and interact with Go Team therapy dogs on the Rampart campus, and watched a demonstration on how to interact with therapy dogs.
There are several other events this week at the Centennial and Rampart campuses for anyone who wishes to participate:
April 20:
Peterson Space Force Base Military Working Dog Demonstration – Rampart Campus Atrium, 2070 Interquest Parkway, 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Accessibility Service Presentation: How to Interact with Service Dogs — Centennial Campus Atrium, 5675 South Academy Blvd., 2:00 p.m.
Opportunity for students to relax and interact with Go Team Therapy Dogs – Centennial Campus Atrium, 5675 South Academy Boulevard, 2-4 p.m.
April 21th :
Military Working Dog Rededication Ceremony – Centennial Campus War Memorial (between Buildings A and C – Park in Lot D and walk to Building C), 5675 South Academy Boulevard, 11 a.m.
Military Working Dog Demonstration at Fort Carson — Centennial Campus Atrium, 5675 South Academy Boulevard, 11:15 a.m.
Local Resource Fair for Animal Rescue and Service Dog Training – Centennial Campus Atrium, 5675 South Academy Blvd, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
All events are free and open to the public.
