Experience the Healing Power: Paws for Purple Hearts Campus Visit

Starting a new semester can be a time of excitement, but it can also bring its fair share of emotional challenges. To help ease this transition, the Office of Military and Veteran Services (OMVS) partnered with Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) to bring comfort, connection and a little extra joy to our students.

During PPH’s visit to the Alexandria Campus, students and staff were greeted by two special guests: Orion, a friendly golden lab, and Nyx, a gentle black lab. These incredible service dogs not only provided warmth and companionship but also served as ambassadors of the PPH mission. Attendees had the unique opportunity to engage with these wonderful dogs and learn more about the program from Nancy, one of PPH’s expert trainers.

About Paws for Purple Hearts
Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) is a non-profit organization committed to training service dogs for wounded service members and veterans. Their work begins when the dogs are just puppies, guiding them through a comprehensive training process that continues until they reach the age of two. Once trained, these exceptional dogs are placed in facilities that benefit from canine-assisted therapeutic interventions or are partnered directly with a disabled veteran, bringing comfort, assistance, and hope to those who need it most.

The visit by PPH was a reminder of the powerful bond between humans and animals and the healing impact that this connection can bring. We look forward to more opportunities to partner with organizations like PPH, who make such a positive difference in the lives of our military and veteran communities.

Submitted by:
Raisha Budiman, Veterans Services, RABudiman@nvcc.edu