Blake Ellis/The Independent

It was an emotional moment as another veteran received a service dog from Battle Buddies Canine fundraiser. 

Veteran Mike Rude’s voice cracked as he was handed his new service dog, Phoenix, and he expressed his appreciation at the Battle Buddies fundraiser that was held Saturday at Our Ponderosa Cottage and RV Resort in Ipperwash Beach.  

Event Organizer Rob Lalonde explained Rude had previously been given a service dog by Battle Buddies, but his current service dog is set to retire later this year. 

“He can’t be without a dog,” said Lalonde, so it was decided Rude would be this year’s recipient. 

“It makes it a little more special that I can help a buddy,” said Lalonde, as he served with Rude in the same regiment. 

Rude was a sergeant in the airborne serving in Somalia, Afghanistan and Bosnia.

This is the fifth year and fifth dog gifted to a veteran during the Battle Buddies Canine fundraiser. 

Lalonde said he had no idea when he held the first fundraiser in 2021 that this would continue five years later. 

His plan was to hold a barbecue with a dunk tank and a 50/50 draw, with a goal of raising $2,500. That first year, it was a larger event than he ever envisioned with $20,000 being raised. 

“I had no idea I had the ability to do anything like this,” said Lalonde. Since then, the event has been held every year to pair more veterans with service dogs.

In the military, a battle buddy is someone who always has your back. These veterans are dealing with such things as post traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. By giving a veteran a service dog, his own battle buddy, it ensures that veteran gets the support he needs and never feels alone. 

A battle buddy service dog gives a veteran a sense of security, especially when out in public, said Lalonde. When a veteran has post traumatic stress disorder or anxiety, a lot of noise or commotion is overwhelming and his brain may revert to a combat mode. A lot of time the dog knows if the veteran is getting upset and will often lead him out of that situation. 

Lalonde said holding this fundraiser and giving a service dog to a veteran each year, is probably one of the proudest moments of his life. 

Being able to give a life changing gift to a fellow veteran is extremely special, said Lalonde.