Angel On A Leash™ therapy dog teams will soon be helping America’s rehabilitating military heroes and their families, thanks to a grant from the Fluor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Fluor Corporation. The grant will fund development and implementation of an Angel On A Leash Therapy Dog Program for six months at the Fisher House™ supporting the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston. This program will focus on supporting both the rehabilitation of our armed forces members and their family members. Fisher Houses are homes away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at VA and other major military medical centers around the country. Housing fees for the military members are underwritten by the Fisher House Foundation™. 

The volunteer Angel On A Leash teams will be a combination of dog-owning employees from Fluor Corporation’s Houston Center and members of the community. The employees and their dogs will be trained by Delta Society instructors. The program will serve as a pilot for possible future Angel On A Leash therapy dog programs at other Fisher House and Military Rehabilitation Center locations.

In presenting the grant, Joe Yanek, Chair of Fluor Foundation’s Military Support Coalition Grant Subcommittee, stated, “I was very moved by the recognition of Josh Bleill at the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club dog show and felt the need to work directly with Angel on a Leash’s leadership to see if the initial activities at Walter Reed Medical Center could be expanded and formalized. This grant is the start of a program that hopefully will spread across the country and support many more of our dedicated service members.”

“We are thrilled to be involved in a program that helps our military heroes and their families,” said Angel On A Leash President David Frei. “We know that we can be a meaningful part of rehabilitation for them, and we know that we can help their families as well. We are thankful to the Fluor Corporation for its generous support, and we will look forward to building a successful program together.”

About Fisher Houses (www.fisherhouse.org): A Fisher House™ is "a home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. The Fisher House™ Foundation builds new houses, and assists in the coordination of private and public support for the homes and their residents. There are 38 Fisher Houses, with five more in construction.

About Fluor Corporation (www.fluor.com): Fluor Corporation (NYSE: FLR) designs, builds and maintains many of the world's most challenging and complex projects. Through its global network of offices on six continents, the company provides comprehensive capabilities and world-class expertise in the fields of engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operations, maintenance and project management. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Fluor is a FORTUNE 200 company and had revenues of $22.3 billion in 2008. For more information, visit www.fluor.com.

About Angel On A Leash: Angel On A Leash champions working with therapy dogs in health care facilities, schools, rehabilitation, hospice, extended care, correctional facilities and crisis intervention. Through advocacy, education, research and service, Angel On A Leash promotes the role of the human-canine bond in enhancing human health and quality of life.

About Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org): Delta Society is a human-services organization dedicated to improving people's health and well-being through positive interactions with animals. Delta’s Pet Partners program trains and screens volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities.