Service dogs get a treat from the community

The dogs will help veterans with needs like turning on lights, opening doors and picking up... — The dogs will help veterans with needs like turning on lights, opening doors and picking up dropped items.

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - A program aimed at pairing up veterans with service dogs got a lot of help on Friday.

Grace is one of two puppies-in-training to become a service dog. The dogs will help veterans with needs like turning on lights, opening doors and picking up dropped items.

However, the training isn't cheap. It costs on average $25,000 to train one dog.

So, several area restaurants participated in the "puppy love" campaign to help with the new pups.

They are donating 10 percent of their profits on Friday to the Able Veterans Program.

"It is the most satisfaction I have ever had in my life," said Jon Beasley. "Through the academies, you get to see a vet come in and by the end of the academy they are a totally different person. His world has changed. It's like you're not even seeing the same guy that walked through the door on day one."

These southern Illinois restaurants donated 10% of their profits on Friday to the Able Veterans Program.