August 22, 2025 • 19 mins
Maria chats with returning guest Operation K9 Beethoven's VP & Co-Founder Brian Reyngoudt!
They are a charity organization for veterans that includes Pet Therapy Programs and Psychiatric Therapy Dog Programs. They provide service dogs to veterans at no cost to the vets.
And the best part? Their service dogs come from rescues and shelters so it's Win Win for both the vets AND the dogs!!
Give a listen and learn about all that they do.
Also, if you'd like to volunteer or make a donation (that's how they survive) CLICK HERE!!
They are a charity organization for veterans that includes Pet Therapy Programs and Psychiatric Therapy Dog Programs. They provide service dogs to veterans at no cost to the vets.
And the best part? Their service dogs come from rescues and shelters so it's Win Win for both the vets AND the dogs!!
Give a listen and learn about all that they do.
Also, if you'd like to volunteer or make a donation (that's how they survive) CLICK HERE!!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
What a great idea on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff and with me today
once again. It's my favorite when I have returning guests.
And this is now the trifecta. I don't know if
you realize that, Brian, but I have the return Yes
of Brian Ryan Gout from Operation Canine Beethoven, who is
the VP and co founder. So this is your third time.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yes, it is, now that you said it, yeah, I'm like, wow.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Yeah, three times. There's usually they say third time's the
charm or something. I don't know what that means. I
don't know what that's from. But anyway, welcome back. For
those who don't know, tell us what Operation Canine Beethoven is.
Although people who listen to Maria's MutS and Stuff know
because they'll know that you are a returning guest, but
(00:54):
just say we have some new listeners. Tell us about
what you do.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yes, thank you so much for having me again on
for the third time the transct. As you said, you know,
we we've founded Operation Canine Beethoven to improve the quality
of life for our veterans and active members of the military.
Who suffer from PPSD depression anxiety, and our mission is
very simple. It's to help our veterans and our active
members of the military one paw at a time.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Which I love, by the way, thank you. Now that's
one point. Helping veterans one pot at a time. It's
just so perfect. It's a perfect slogan. So you've been around,
it's about it's over five years, is that correct.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
It's about Yeah, it's about five years. We've given twenty
five dogs to twenty five veterans. We're working on number
twenty six and twenty seven as we speak. Wow, you
know it's you know, it's our goal that you know,
our veterans and active members of the military go to
our website at Operation Canine Beethove and apply and we're
a five O three see non for profit in the
(01:52):
state of New Jersey, and everything that we do goes
right back to our program myself, including ARP and Mourreen
and the rest of us Operation Canine Beethoven. We don't
take a salary. We do it for the pure love
of our dogs and our veterans and it's our goal
to pair them with a psychiatric service dog get no
charge to the veteran or the active member of the military.
(02:13):
Zero dollars come out of their pocket, right.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Which is incredible, Which is incredible, and I mean we've
spoken about it in the past. It actually gives veterans
so many times, it gives them their life back when
they have that service dog.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Absolutely, and you know, not just doing that, we also
have our pet Therapy program where we go to nursing homes,
rehab special needs schools, veterans' homes and so all that
team is all volunteer as well, and they take their
own dog and they go and visit all these amazing places,
you know, to give some love to those that are
(02:47):
in those situations. Sure, we have a great dog named
Duffy who is deaf, so we take him particularly to schools,
deaf schools, special needs schools, to you know, teach them
not only that US humor meams can have a disability
and live a beautiful and wonderful life, but animals can
have a disability and also live a beautiful and wonderful life. Sure.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Sure, how long is I don't know, I don't know
if I recall that from last time. How long has
Duffy been doing it? Is it recent?
Speaker 2 (03:14):
No? Duffy's been doing it for about two and a
half years or so. Now okay, yeah, Duffy and we've
always had the program, but we you know, like Beethoven
is our CEO of the you know, psychiatric service to
the dog side of it, and Duffy is like, you know,
the boss, the CEO of the therapy.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
I love that. I love that. And for those who
are just learning about Operation Can, I'm Beethoven. I have
to tell you you do so much on social media
because obviously I follow you guys, but you are and
I try to repost many of the things that you
post on Instagram because besides just you know, feel good
(03:56):
what can I call the memes? I guess feel good
little cartoons or whatever. But I just love that you always,
especially when the weather gets hot, there's always like advice
for people when it's the fourth of July. You know,
it shows you veterans and dogs and you know, not
everyone likes fireworks, that's right. So you just do so
(04:16):
much public service through your social media as well, or.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Or director of operations. I also called her our social media.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Queen Marine Maureen.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, I've mentioned to you before. She does all the
social media work and that's just like a full time job.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
I'm sure it is.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
And so she always cranking out stuff and putting stuff
out there to you know, to give awareness to you know,
everybody that's out on social media and absolutely sharing it
because you know, there's a lot of ways that people
could help Operation Canine Beethoven helping our veterans and active
members of the military. One for a time. They can
go to a website, they can share our stuff, they
can share our Instagram stuff, they can share our Facebook stuff.
(04:55):
But they also can go on our website and donate.
Right now, we're in the middle of a cam pain fundraising.
Right now, we have a dog that is with a
veteran and their bonding and their training, and with that,
you know, we need money to to you know, get
that dog trained. Who so happens to be named after
my father and his memory and his honor. My father
(05:16):
was a three time Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam in
sixty eight sixty nine, and Artie Cortez, who's the president
and founder of Operation Canine Beethoven, came to me and said,
I think it's time that we name a dog in
the memory and in the honor of your.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Father, and that's Neil.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Is that correct, Yeah, that's Neil. He's a year and
a half year a boster. They're doing amazing, they're training,
you know, they're bonding. Uh. And so you know, we
have three on our side. I mean we work with
you know, an amazing trainer, this guy Frank. He owns
Behavior Plus in two locations in New Jersey called in
(05:51):
River Rege, New Jersey and cold Well, New Jersey. And
you know, he has a great staff. All the trainers
are like ex clients of his, and so they have
a great training program and it's consistent for every dog.
You know. After we get do our process and the
application and the phone interview, then we find out what
you know, the veteran's lifestyle is, of course, and we
(06:13):
try to pair we try to pair that with the
dog's lifestyle as well, to make it very simple that
they can both live a wonderful and beautiful life together.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Yeah. Yeah, No, it's just it's incredible work. And I've
told you that, and I know you know that, but
it's really it's above and beyond because you just help
so many people in so many different ways. And you
brought up about Neil and I actually learned about that
on social media. I'm glad that we talked about it
because I was going to ask you about Neil. So, Neil,
(06:43):
how much longer before he's ready to just go to
be ready to be that service dog.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
What's great about our program is is that Neil and
Scott the veteran huh, they go training. They go training
together River or cold Well, so they have that bonding
experience together. So it's not just a dog learning something
or doing something like on an off site and then
they meet. It's they're going together. They're going to school
(07:10):
every day. Sure, you know, it's like a job and
going to train together so that you know they they
know what they're doing and the dog knows what they're doing.
Because training never ends. You know a lot of the
trainers over the years always said the same thing. I
can train every single animal, I can train any dog,
(07:30):
but it's really important that I need to train a
human being. And training never never ends, it never goes away.
You gotta work with the dog. You got to train
with the dog even when you're not in training. You've
got to do the homework. That's the most important thing.
And you know so far, you know they're doing really
really well, and you know it's great, and you know
(07:52):
we're doing that fundraising campaign right now. And then right
now we just got word that a very good friend
of hours that Operation can I'm Beethoven named Frank. We
all call him Duck. He's a part of an amazing
organization called a New Jersey Veterans Network and they do
a great outreach to help the homeless veterans, those who
(08:13):
are in need with food and all kinds of things.
They have. They have movie nights where they bring all
the veterans and they rent a movie theater. They do
amazing work. Frank has became a really great friend of ours.
And you know, he just got a dog named Bella
and he's going to start his training as well, and
that will be number twenty seven with Operation kin I'm Beethoven.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
That's awesome, that's really awesome. So now, once a veteran
say in this in this sense of like Neil and Scott,
once it becomes like, okay, it's time you're going to
be together, you know, in your home together, do they
do like refresher because I know, like you said, training
is always do they go and do like some refresher
courses or you check in on them. How does that work.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
My favorite line that I like to say is that,
you know, Operation Canine Beethoven, we want to be a
part of their family as long as they want to
be a part of our family. And if they ever
need anything, you know, when we first give the dog
away and they're bonding and the dog is decompressing, we
always give away a huge package like a well keiping
(09:19):
home package with like months of stuff like food, treats,
kennel beds, all kinds of things, collars, bowls. But if
they ever need anything, they're more than welcome to give
us a call and we will help them out as
much as we possibly can. And if they do need
some refreshing classes, that's always on the table too. I mean,
(09:40):
nothing's never off the table for our veterans and our
active members of the military.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Well, and that also shows your success rate as well,
you know what I mean, Because it's not like, Okay,
here's here's a dog, good luck. That doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, no it doesn't. It doesn't. And like I tell
people all the time, listen, we all fall down on
a hard times. If you need an extra of food,
or you need an extra you know, some food or
some treets, what have you give us a call, well,
you know, we'll bring it to you, or if we can't,
well amazon to you. You know. I mean it's very simple,
you know, it's very very simple.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Sure. So if someone's listening right now, who you know
is a vet and has been thinking about it, but
hasn't you know, not sure to you know, to have
a dog, they can fill out a form on your website.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Correct, Yeah, they can go to a website operation Canine
Beethoven dot com. They can you know, read the testimonials,
they can check some videos out. They can you know,
fill out the application and send their paperwork in and
once we receive it, we review it. And then the
next step is, you know, one of us calling for
a phone and if you only ask about ten or
(10:50):
fifteen very common easy questions. And after that process is done,
then we do a little house visit r just like rescues,
you know, a little house rescue, right and we just
go and we and we see where they live and
and and you know this, that and the other thing
to make sure that it's a place that's safe, a
place that's you know, good for the dog because you
(11:11):
don't want to put a dog in a bad situation.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Of course, of course, now that makes sense, that makes sense.
And then after the home visit, then then like what's
the next step.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, we'll speak with our rescues or will we speak
with Burken County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, and we'll
try to get a feeling of what their lifestyle is.
And then from there the dog has to be uh
checked for the dog's temperament. Sure, the temperament is very
very important, of course, and once that is all completed,
you know, we'll get the dog overd to the veteran
(11:44):
or the active member of the military and then they
will have a bonding experience and they'll you know, hang
out together and get to know each other. And then
within like a week or two way after that, that's
when they would call Frank and Frank and the and
the and the applicant will meet and they'll start training. Right.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Wow, I mean, it's a it's a wonderful process when
you think about it, and it's actually so simple. And
the fact that you also use animals, you know, use
dogs from rescue as opposed to reading, you know, which
is not a bad thing either. I know there are
many organizations that do that, but I love the fact
that you you know, you use rescue dogs.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah, we either rescue dogs or we use you know,
our Burken County Animal Shelter, a doction center in Peterborough,
New Jersey. You know, Yeah, which is win win relationship
with them.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
You have a great relationship with with Bob and his
team over there, and you know, it's it's it's a
really good partnership that we have with people like the
Burken County Animal Shelter and you know, the adoption center
as well as all these rescues and with Frank from
Behavior Plus and now you know, we've been like I said,
we've been dealing with the New Jersey Veterans Network and
(12:50):
with DOC and you know, you know that's a great
partnership as well. So you know, it's all about it's
all about helping our veterans, helping those who have helped.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Us exactly exactly. So with the dogs, is there is
there an age limit or I mean is it? Do
you take them as puppies, like, do you rest adopt
them as puppies to train or when they're a little
bit older, like how does that work or it depends, It.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
All depends on It depends on the situation. I mean,
you know, training a six months your OT puppy is
going to be very hard, of course, So I mean
you know about within the year and a half two
years or so, range is typically three years range is
typically better. Yeah, of course, you know, training like a
you know, training you know one month or two months
or six month puppy is is going to be It's
(13:36):
gonna be a little harder. Yes, So yeah, we typically
are dogs. All depends on the veterans' ages and what
have you. Because we've given dogs too and had dogs
trained who went to older veterans who just you know,
kind of want a lap dog, Yeah for sure.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Where we've given dogs to other veterans and active members
of the military who want to take the dog to
work every day, right right, So it'll it'll depends on
the lifestyle and the age of the applicant.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Yeah, which again is win win for the dogs because
there's such a big age range that you can adopt,
you know, like if it's a veteran who just wants
you know, an older veteran who just wants companionship, and
someone to hang out with to watch TV. That could
be like a you know, like a young senior dog
if that makes sense.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yeah, win win, Absolutely, it's a win win for everybody
across the board.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Yeah, both human and dogs. So, I mean that's what
I think makes Operation Knin'm Beethoven so special.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Oh you're welcome, but it's true, it's true.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
So.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
You're so humble. But yes, so I just want to
share with everyone and I have to I mean, I
know I thank you, but I have to thank you publicly.
Is the last time we spoke and you sent me
this care package that was incredible that included you know,
schwag and stuff that listeners can actually purchase as well
at Operation kaninem Beethoven dot com they can. But I
(15:00):
have to tell you the hoodie that you sent me,
and it's a zip up. I live in that because
I am always cold, and I actually have it. We
have lockers here. It's like school, but it's in my
locker and you can ask anybody who I work with,
because they're always like, oh my god, that sweatshirt's so
cool and it's like, you know, it's it's the green
(15:22):
military color. It's really the coolest, So thank you again
for it. But again I'm saying it because listeners can
actually go to your website and they could buy one too,
and we could be twins because it's oh yeah, So
thank you again for that, because I really do use
it so often. It doesn't matter what season, what month
it is, it's just always cold in my studio and
(15:42):
I live in that sweatshirt.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Well, if I recall correctly, you said it to me
probably the first time we've been on the show together.
Can cut me on promotion in motion.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Yes, that's exactly right. It is promotion in motion.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I use that line once in a while, you do,
thank you.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Yeah, and I stole it from someone. Well that's good
because it's exactly what it is. It's promotion and motion.
So you know, you're keeping me warm and I'm promoting
Operation Canine Beethove, and so again, thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
And like I said, anybody can help by sharing our stuff. Sure,
and they can go to a website and they can
buy our merchandise. Like you said, Maria, uh, you know
they can make a donation.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Yes, you know.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
We're working on the Neil campaign now, but we always
need money, you know, of course, and you know on
the average, you know, it does cost money to do this,
and you know, we don't want to take any money
out of the pockets of our applicants. Sure, and you know,
so we we we're all volunteers, like I said, and
you know, we do events throughout the state of New Jersey.
(16:50):
We have a few that are coming up if you
don't mind, if I can just know.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I was just going to ask you that now, of course,
never mind, this is all for you, you tell me please.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
So we're going to be whole. Our second annual Tricky
Traye fundraiser, Operation Canine Beethoven Friday, November fourteenth, from six
to ten at Saddlebrook VFW Post thirty four eighty four.
And we did really well last year and we're hoping
to do well again this year. And then the week
after that, the weekend after that, we have a great
(17:20):
partnership with the Bergen County Harley Davidson people over in
Rochelle Park and they're having their Casino Night and so
all the proceeds that are from the Casino Night is
going to go right to Operation Canine Beethoven. And that's
Saturday that's Saturday, November twenty second, twenty twenty five. You
can go to our Facebook page. It's there under our
(17:40):
events if you want to come to either of our
big you know events in the month of November. Sure,
So if your listeners want to come by and hang
out and check out what we do. It's going to
be a great time in Saddlebrook with our second annual fundraiser.
We're gonna have a lot of prizes and tricky trays
and stuff like that. And you know, Burken County Harley Davidson,
they've been with us since the very beginning. There are
(18:03):
first believers in what we do and how we do it,
and so they've been a huge supporter of us since
day one.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
That's excellent. So okay, so those are coming up in November,
and of course I will talk about them on the
air as we get closer to it as well. You
could definitely use donations. People can definitely shop. You can
use volunteers correct, Like if somebody has a dog that's
a great dog and they want to get into the
pet therapy program, they can find that.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Info reach out to us online website. Yet on the
website at Operation Kanain Beethoven dot Com, you know, and
then they can apply over there.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Well that's perfect. Well, Brian, I appreciate you and all
that you do and your whole staff. And uh, for
those also who are listening, you should definitely follow them
on social media because uh, they just you guys post
great stuff. Like I said, I steal from you all
the time. So promotion emotion you take from me, and
I steal and repost your stuff all the time.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
And I see more read every soulof and steal your
stuff too.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Oh good, Yeah she does, yes, So I love it.
You're right. It's it's yeah, that's how things work, you know,
it's that whole thing.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
It takes a village, right, it absolutely does. I mean,
you know, it takes a team. It takes you know,
people who love what we do, and we're very passionate
about our mission and our purpose and helping our veterans
and active members of the military one pull out of time.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Absolutely so, Brian, Ryan Gout, thank you so much for
your time the Trifecta visit. I know we're going to
talk again, and I can't wait to see Neil when
he's in his forever home with Scott, because I look
forward to that.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Thank you so much,
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
What a great idea on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Welcome to Maria's Mutts and Stuff and with me today
once again. It's my favorite when I have returning guests.
And this is now the trifecta. I don't know if
you realize that, Brian, but I have the return Yes
of Brian Ryan Gout from Operation Canine Beethoven, who is
the VP and co founder. So this is your third time.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Yes, it is, now that you said it, yeah, I'm like, wow.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Yeah, three times. There's usually they say third time's the
charm or something. I don't know what that means. I
don't know what that's from. But anyway, welcome back. For
those who don't know, tell us what Operation Canine Beethoven is.
Although people who listen to Maria's MutS and Stuff know
because they'll know that you are a returning guest, but
(00:54):
just say we have some new listeners. Tell us about
what you do.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
Yes, thank you so much for having me again on
for the third time the transct. As you said, you know,
we we've founded Operation Canine Beethoven to improve the quality
of life for our veterans and active members of the military.
Who suffer from PPSD depression anxiety, and our mission is
very simple. It's to help our veterans and our active
members of the military one paw at a time.
Speaker 1 (01:19):
Which I love, by the way, thank you. Now that's
one point. Helping veterans one pot at a time. It's
just so perfect. It's a perfect slogan. So you've been around,
it's about it's over five years, is that correct.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
It's about Yeah, it's about five years. We've given twenty
five dogs to twenty five veterans. We're working on number
twenty six and twenty seven as we speak. Wow, you
know it's you know, it's our goal that you know,
our veterans and active members of the military go to
our website at Operation Canine Beethove and apply and we're
a five O three see non for profit in the
(01:52):
state of New Jersey, and everything that we do goes
right back to our program myself, including ARP and Mourreen
and the rest of us Operation Canine Beethoven. We don't
take a salary. We do it for the pure love
of our dogs and our veterans and it's our goal
to pair them with a psychiatric service dog get no
charge to the veteran or the active member of the military.
(02:13):
Zero dollars come out of their pocket, right.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Which is incredible, Which is incredible, and I mean we've
spoken about it in the past. It actually gives veterans
so many times, it gives them their life back when
they have that service dog.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Absolutely, and you know, not just doing that, we also
have our pet Therapy program where we go to nursing homes,
rehab special needs schools, veterans' homes and so all that
team is all volunteer as well, and they take their
own dog and they go and visit all these amazing places,
you know, to give some love to those that are
(02:47):
in those situations. Sure, we have a great dog named
Duffy who is deaf, so we take him particularly to schools,
deaf schools, special needs schools, to you know, teach them
not only that US humor meams can have a disability
and live a beautiful and wonderful life, but animals can
have a disability and also live a beautiful and wonderful life. Sure.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Sure, how long is I don't know, I don't know
if I recall that from last time. How long has
Duffy been doing it? Is it recent?
Speaker 2 (03:14):
No? Duffy's been doing it for about two and a
half years or so. Now okay, yeah, Duffy and we've
always had the program, but we you know, like Beethoven
is our CEO of the you know, psychiatric service to
the dog side of it, and Duffy is like, you know,
the boss, the CEO of the therapy.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
I love that. I love that. And for those who
are just learning about Operation Can, I'm Beethoven. I have
to tell you you do so much on social media
because obviously I follow you guys, but you are and
I try to repost many of the things that you
post on Instagram because besides just you know, feel good
(03:56):
what can I call the memes? I guess feel good
little cartoons or whatever. But I just love that you always,
especially when the weather gets hot, there's always like advice
for people when it's the fourth of July. You know,
it shows you veterans and dogs and you know, not
everyone likes fireworks, that's right. So you just do so
(04:16):
much public service through your social media as well, or.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Or director of operations. I also called her our social media.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Queen Marine Maureen.
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Yeah, I've mentioned to you before. She does all the
social media work and that's just like a full time job.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
I'm sure it is.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
And so she always cranking out stuff and putting stuff
out there to you know, to give awareness to you know,
everybody that's out on social media and absolutely sharing it
because you know, there's a lot of ways that people
could help Operation Canine Beethoven helping our veterans and active
members of the military. One for a time. They can
go to a website, they can share our stuff, they
can share our Instagram stuff, they can share our Facebook stuff.
(04:55):
But they also can go on our website and donate.
Right now, we're in the middle of a cam pain fundraising.
Right now, we have a dog that is with a
veteran and their bonding and their training, and with that,
you know, we need money to to you know, get
that dog trained. Who so happens to be named after
my father and his memory and his honor. My father
(05:16):
was a three time Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam in
sixty eight sixty nine, and Artie Cortez, who's the president
and founder of Operation Canine Beethoven, came to me and said,
I think it's time that we name a dog in
the memory and in the honor of your.
Speaker 1 (05:28):
Father, and that's Neil.
Speaker 2 (05:30):
Is that correct, Yeah, that's Neil. He's a year and
a half year a boster. They're doing amazing, they're training,
you know, they're bonding. Uh. And so you know, we
have three on our side. I mean we work with
you know, an amazing trainer, this guy Frank. He owns
Behavior Plus in two locations in New Jersey called in
(05:51):
River Rege, New Jersey and cold Well, New Jersey. And
you know, he has a great staff. All the trainers
are like ex clients of his, and so they have
a great training program and it's consistent for every dog.
You know. After we get do our process and the
application and the phone interview, then we find out what
you know, the veteran's lifestyle is, of course, and we
(06:13):
try to pair we try to pair that with the
dog's lifestyle as well, to make it very simple that
they can both live a wonderful and beautiful life together.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Yeah. Yeah, No, it's just it's incredible work. And I've
told you that, and I know you know that, but
it's really it's above and beyond because you just help
so many people in so many different ways. And you
brought up about Neil and I actually learned about that
on social media. I'm glad that we talked about it
because I was going to ask you about Neil. So, Neil,
(06:43):
how much longer before he's ready to just go to
be ready to be that service dog.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
What's great about our program is is that Neil and
Scott the veteran huh, they go training. They go training
together River or cold Well, so they have that bonding
experience together. So it's not just a dog learning something
or doing something like on an off site and then
they meet. It's they're going together. They're going to school
(07:10):
every day. Sure, you know, it's like a job and
going to train together so that you know they they
know what they're doing and the dog knows what they're doing.
Because training never ends. You know a lot of the
trainers over the years always said the same thing. I
can train every single animal, I can train any dog,
(07:30):
but it's really important that I need to train a
human being. And training never never ends, it never goes away.
You gotta work with the dog. You got to train
with the dog even when you're not in training. You've
got to do the homework. That's the most important thing.
And you know so far, you know they're doing really
really well, and you know it's great, and you know
(07:52):
we're doing that fundraising campaign right now. And then right
now we just got word that a very good friend
of hours that Operation can I'm Beethoven named Frank. We
all call him Duck. He's a part of an amazing
organization called a New Jersey Veterans Network and they do
a great outreach to help the homeless veterans, those who
(08:13):
are in need with food and all kinds of things.
They have. They have movie nights where they bring all
the veterans and they rent a movie theater. They do
amazing work. Frank has became a really great friend of ours.
And you know, he just got a dog named Bella
and he's going to start his training as well, and
that will be number twenty seven with Operation kin I'm Beethoven.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
That's awesome, that's really awesome. So now, once a veteran
say in this in this sense of like Neil and Scott,
once it becomes like, okay, it's time you're going to
be together, you know, in your home together, do they
do like refresher because I know, like you said, training
is always do they go and do like some refresher
courses or you check in on them. How does that work.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
My favorite line that I like to say is that,
you know, Operation Canine Beethoven, we want to be a
part of their family as long as they want to
be a part of our family. And if they ever
need anything, you know, when we first give the dog
away and they're bonding and the dog is decompressing, we
always give away a huge package like a well keiping
(09:19):
home package with like months of stuff like food, treats,
kennel beds, all kinds of things, collars, bowls. But if
they ever need anything, they're more than welcome to give
us a call and we will help them out as
much as we possibly can. And if they do need
some refreshing classes, that's always on the table too. I mean,
(09:40):
nothing's never off the table for our veterans and our
active members of the military.
Speaker 1 (09:44):
Well, and that also shows your success rate as well,
you know what I mean, Because it's not like, Okay,
here's here's a dog, good luck. That doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Yeah, no it doesn't. It doesn't. And like I tell
people all the time, listen, we all fall down on
a hard times. If you need an extra of food,
or you need an extra you know, some food or
some treets, what have you give us a call, well,
you know, we'll bring it to you, or if we can't,
well amazon to you. You know. I mean it's very simple,
you know, it's very very simple.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
Sure. So if someone's listening right now, who you know
is a vet and has been thinking about it, but
hasn't you know, not sure to you know, to have
a dog, they can fill out a form on your website.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Correct, Yeah, they can go to a website operation Canine
Beethoven dot com. They can you know, read the testimonials,
they can check some videos out. They can you know,
fill out the application and send their paperwork in and
once we receive it, we review it. And then the
next step is, you know, one of us calling for
a phone and if you only ask about ten or
(10:50):
fifteen very common easy questions. And after that process is done,
then we do a little house visit r just like rescues,
you know, a little house rescue, right and we just
go and we and we see where they live and
and and you know this, that and the other thing
to make sure that it's a place that's safe, a
place that's you know, good for the dog because you
(11:11):
don't want to put a dog in a bad situation.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Of course, of course, now that makes sense, that makes sense.
And then after the home visit, then then like what's
the next step.
Speaker 2 (11:22):
Well, we'll speak with our rescues or will we speak
with Burken County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, and we'll
try to get a feeling of what their lifestyle is.
And then from there the dog has to be uh
checked for the dog's temperament. Sure, the temperament is very
very important, of course, and once that is all completed,
you know, we'll get the dog overd to the veteran
(11:44):
or the active member of the military and then they
will have a bonding experience and they'll you know, hang
out together and get to know each other. And then
within like a week or two way after that, that's
when they would call Frank and Frank and the and
the and the applicant will meet and they'll start training. Right.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Wow, I mean, it's a it's a wonderful process when
you think about it, and it's actually so simple. And
the fact that you also use animals, you know, use
dogs from rescue as opposed to reading, you know, which
is not a bad thing either. I know there are
many organizations that do that, but I love the fact
that you you know, you use rescue dogs.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Yeah, we either rescue dogs or we use you know,
our Burken County Animal Shelter, a doction center in Peterborough,
New Jersey. You know, Yeah, which is win win relationship
with them.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
You have a great relationship with with Bob and his
team over there, and you know, it's it's it's a
really good partnership that we have with people like the
Burken County Animal Shelter and you know, the adoption center
as well as all these rescues and with Frank from
Behavior Plus and now you know, we've been like I said,
we've been dealing with the New Jersey Veterans Network and
(12:50):
with DOC and you know, you know that's a great
partnership as well. So you know, it's all about it's
all about helping our veterans, helping those who have helped.
Speaker 1 (12:58):
Us exactly exactly. So with the dogs, is there is
there an age limit or I mean is it? Do
you take them as puppies, like, do you rest adopt
them as puppies to train or when they're a little
bit older, like how does that work or it depends, It.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
All depends on It depends on the situation. I mean,
you know, training a six months your OT puppy is
going to be very hard, of course, So I mean
you know about within the year and a half two
years or so, range is typically three years range is
typically better. Yeah, of course, you know, training like a
you know, training you know one month or two months
or six month puppy is is going to be It's
(13:36):
gonna be a little harder. Yes, So yeah, we typically
are dogs. All depends on the veterans' ages and what
have you. Because we've given dogs too and had dogs
trained who went to older veterans who just you know,
kind of want a lap dog, Yeah for sure.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Where we've given dogs to other veterans and active members
of the military who want to take the dog to
work every day, right right, So it'll it'll depends on
the lifestyle and the age of the applicant.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
Yeah, which again is win win for the dogs because
there's such a big age range that you can adopt,
you know, like if it's a veteran who just wants
you know, an older veteran who just wants companionship, and
someone to hang out with to watch TV. That could
be like a you know, like a young senior dog
if that makes sense.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Yeah, win win, Absolutely, it's a win win for everybody
across the board.
Speaker 1 (14:27):
Yeah, both human and dogs. So, I mean that's what
I think makes Operation Knin'm Beethoven so special.
Speaker 2 (14:33):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (14:34):
Oh you're welcome, but it's true, it's true.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
So.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
You're so humble. But yes, so I just want to
share with everyone and I have to I mean, I
know I thank you, but I have to thank you publicly.
Is the last time we spoke and you sent me
this care package that was incredible that included you know,
schwag and stuff that listeners can actually purchase as well
at Operation kaninem Beethoven dot com they can. But I
(15:00):
have to tell you the hoodie that you sent me,
and it's a zip up. I live in that because
I am always cold, and I actually have it. We
have lockers here. It's like school, but it's in my
locker and you can ask anybody who I work with,
because they're always like, oh my god, that sweatshirt's so
cool and it's like, you know, it's it's the green
(15:22):
military color. It's really the coolest, So thank you again
for it. But again I'm saying it because listeners can
actually go to your website and they could buy one too,
and we could be twins because it's oh yeah, So
thank you again for that, because I really do use
it so often. It doesn't matter what season, what month
it is, it's just always cold in my studio and
(15:42):
I live in that sweatshirt.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Well, if I recall correctly, you said it to me
probably the first time we've been on the show together.
Can cut me on promotion in motion.
Speaker 1 (15:54):
Yes, that's exactly right. It is promotion in motion.
Speaker 2 (15:58):
I use that line once in a while, you do,
thank you.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Yeah, and I stole it from someone. Well that's good
because it's exactly what it is. It's promotion and motion.
So you know, you're keeping me warm and I'm promoting
Operation Canine Beethove, and so again, thank you, thank you,
thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
And like I said, anybody can help by sharing our stuff. Sure,
and they can go to a website and they can
buy our merchandise. Like you said, Maria, uh, you know
they can make a donation.
Speaker 1 (16:26):
Yes, you know.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
We're working on the Neil campaign now, but we always
need money, you know, of course, and you know on
the average, you know, it does cost money to do this,
and you know, we don't want to take any money
out of the pockets of our applicants. Sure, and you know,
so we we we're all volunteers, like I said, and
you know, we do events throughout the state of New Jersey.
(16:50):
We have a few that are coming up if you
don't mind, if I can just know.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I was just going to ask you that now, of course,
never mind, this is all for you, you tell me please.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
So we're going to be whole. Our second annual Tricky
Traye fundraiser, Operation Canine Beethoven Friday, November fourteenth, from six
to ten at Saddlebrook VFW Post thirty four eighty four.
And we did really well last year and we're hoping
to do well again this year. And then the week
after that, the weekend after that, we have a great
(17:20):
partnership with the Bergen County Harley Davidson people over in
Rochelle Park and they're having their Casino Night and so
all the proceeds that are from the Casino Night is
going to go right to Operation Canine Beethoven. And that's
Saturday that's Saturday, November twenty second, twenty twenty five. You
can go to our Facebook page. It's there under our
(17:40):
events if you want to come to either of our
big you know events in the month of November. Sure,
So if your listeners want to come by and hang
out and check out what we do. It's going to
be a great time in Saddlebrook with our second annual fundraiser.
We're gonna have a lot of prizes and tricky trays
and stuff like that. And you know, Burken County Harley Davidson,
they've been with us since the very beginning. There are
(18:03):
first believers in what we do and how we do it,
and so they've been a huge supporter of us since
day one.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
That's excellent. So okay, so those are coming up in November,
and of course I will talk about them on the
air as we get closer to it as well. You
could definitely use donations. People can definitely shop. You can
use volunteers correct, Like if somebody has a dog that's
a great dog and they want to get into the
pet therapy program, they can find that.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
Info reach out to us online website. Yet on the
website at Operation Kanain Beethoven dot Com, you know, and
then they can apply over there.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Well that's perfect. Well, Brian, I appreciate you and all
that you do and your whole staff. And uh, for
those also who are listening, you should definitely follow them
on social media because uh, they just you guys post
great stuff. Like I said, I steal from you all
the time. So promotion emotion you take from me, and
I steal and repost your stuff all the time.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
And I see more read every soulof and steal your
stuff too.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
Oh good, Yeah she does, yes, So I love it.
You're right. It's it's yeah, that's how things work, you know,
it's that whole thing.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
It takes a village, right, it absolutely does. I mean,
you know, it takes a team. It takes you know,
people who love what we do, and we're very passionate
about our mission and our purpose and helping our veterans
and active members of the military one pull out of time.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Absolutely so, Brian, Ryan Gout, thank you so much for
your time the Trifecta visit. I know we're going to
talk again, and I can't wait to see Neil when
he's in his forever home with Scott, because I look
forward to that.
Speaker 2 (19:33):
Thank you so much,
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