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Area service dog group earns financial help, AKC accolades
SD Gunner donation
The Surrency chapter of the U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club held its 10-year anniversary party Oct. 7 in Surrency, where they were able to raise $4,477 to benefit the SD Gunner Fund. - photo by Photo provided.

The SD Gunner fund recently received recognition for its excellence in serving the community.

The U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club chapter in Surrency, Georgia, recently presented the nonprofit organization with a $4,477 donation.

And to add to the organization’s successes, SD Gunner – the service dog (SD) the organization is named after – recently received the American Kennel Club’s Award for Canine Excellence (ACE).

On Oct. 7, the Surrency chapter of the U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club held its 10-year anniversary party where they were able to raise $4,477 to benefit the SD Gunner Fund. The U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club is a nonprofit organization established in 1987, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The club was created for qualified military veterans with the intentions of improving the image of veterans and bikers. They also strive to promote pride, support and relationships with other veterans alike.

The 18th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence took place to celebrate five hard-working dogs who have demonstrated excellence and who have positively impacted the lives of their owners and communities. This year, SD Gunner took home one these five awards.

SD Gunner is a Great Pyrenees who earned his credentials as a service dog in March 2014. He assists SD Gunner Fund founder Britnee Kinard’s oldest son Blayne, who is autistic, by providing calming techniques. Gunner also makes frequent visits to schools and universities, as well as state and federal government entities in hopes to raise awareness on the importance of service dogs.

"We are so grateful to have SD Gunner recognized with such an honorable mention. He has been such an important part, not only of our family, but also of this organization and we are extremely proud of him," Kinard said. "We are also extremely thankful to the USMVMC for their generous donation and for believing in our mission."

The SD Gunner Fund was started by Kinard in 2014 after she encountered many hardships and neglect regarding the approval for a service dog for her husband, veteran and Purple Heart recipient Hamilton Kinard.

The nonprofit organization was created to assist veterans and disabled children with the expense of owning service animals to alleviate some of their financial burdens.

For more information about the SD Gunner Fund, visit www.webjobs.kender.org/sdgunnerfund.

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