Each Sunday, the Saltwater Hillbilly entertains at Brady’s with his songs, wit and charm. But on Aug. 23, there will be a slight “paws" in the regularly scheduled afternoon program.

 

Brady’s is holding a fundraiser for Maine Paws for Veterans. The fundraiser includes a raffle valued at over $500. Tickets are being sold now at the pub. Brady’s owner Jennie Mitchell hopes the event will raise $1,400 for the cause.

 

Maine Paws for Veterans is a statewide non-profit organization. Brad Drummond of Boothbay is a Veterans of Foreign Wars member at the Topsham chapter which is raising money for the nonprofit. “My commander is on the board of Maine Paws for Veterans. We adopt a cause each year, and decided to pursue this one,” he said.

 

During the fundraiser, a veteran impacted by PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) will discuss how his trained service dog helps him through stressful and uncomfortable times. The charity is raising money for pairing family dogs or rescue dogs with a veteran suffering from PTSD. The dog and vet undergo five to six months of extensive training, said Drummond.

 

Research shows a trained service dog offers emotional support, interrupts flashbacks with physical contact, creates a protective space in public, nightmare interruption, serves as a social bridge to counter isolation, and helps manage symptoms so vets can navigate everyday life.

 

Drummond is no stranger to veterans’ causes. For the past four years, he has assisted Maine V.E.T.S., a Boothbay nonprofit providing temporary housing for veterans experiencing homelessness. Earlier this year, he asked Mitchell about placing a donation box at Brady’s for Maine Paws.

But Mitchell countered with a better idea. She wanted a more elaborate fundraiser, one which raised hundreds of dollars. “Because I believe in dogs and veterans. It’s a great cause, and I knew Brady’s could do more than just a donation box.”

 

Raffle tickets are $5 apiece or five for $20.