Raiders surprise 2 military veterans with service dogs

Las Vegas Review-Journal

5 years ago

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Rucker, speaks to the media after the presentation of service ... — U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Rucker, speaks to the media after the presentation of service dogs to selected veterans on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. The Raiders Foundation surprised selected veterans who are currently on a waiting list with Kline Veterans Fund with information that they will each receive a service dog. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Brooks, second left, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Rucker, center, shake hands with Brandon Doll, second right, Oakland Raiders director of strategic and business development, as Stephenie Gerken, left, Michael’s Angel Paws executive director, holding a service dog, Shadow, and Elisabeth Newell, right, holding a service dog, Bandit Bear, look on during the presentation of service dogs to selected veterans on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. The Raiders Foundation surprised selected veterans who are currently on a waiting list with Kline Veterans Fund with information that they will each receive a service dog. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Brooks, left, Stephenie Gerken, Michael’s Angel Paws executive director, holding a service dog, Shadow, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Rucker, center, and Elisabeth Newell, right, holding a service dog, Bandit Bear, listen to Brandon Doll, second right, Oakland Raiders director of strategic and business development, during the presentation of service dogs to selected veterans on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. The Raiders Foundation surprised selected veterans who are currently on a waiting list with Kline Veterans Fund with information that they will each receive a service dog. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Stephenie Gerken, Michael’s Angel Paws executive director, holding a service dog, Shadow, talks to U.S. Army veteran Kenneth Brooks, left, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dwayne Rucker prior to the presentation of service dogs to selected veterans on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. The Raiders Foundation surprised selected veterans who are currently on a waiting list with Kline Veterans Fund with information that they will each receive a service dog. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Stephenie Gerken, left, Michael’s Angel Paws executive director, holding a service dog, Shadow, and Elisabeth Newell, holding a service dog, Bandit Bear, stand guard prior to the presentation of service dogs to selected veterans on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, in Las Vegas. The Raiders Foundation surprised selected veterans who are currently on a waiting list with Kline Veterans Fund with information that they will each receive a service dog. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Two military veterans who served this nation overseas will be receiving service dogs, with an assist from the Raiders.

Kenneth Brooks, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, and Dwayne Rucker, a veteran of Desert Storm with the U.S. Marines, were told Wednesday that the Raiders Foundation will provide the funds to Kline Veterans Fund to help get their service dogs.

The presentation was made at the Las Vegas stadium construction site. A pair of example service dogs — Shadow and Bandit Bear — also were on hand, er, paw.

Brandon Doll, director of strategic and business development for the Raiders, presided over the ceremony.