A veteran will get to walk home with a new four-legged friend in the near future thanks to a generous donation from a leading energy solutions developer.
Chicago-based Invenergy donated $10,000 Monday to nonprofit organization Soldier’s Best Friend prior to a ribbon cutting at its El Sol Energy Storage Center in Youngtown, Ariz.
Operations and Maintenance Manager Vicente Juarez, who is also a veteran, called the donation “an honor and a privilege.”
He added the donation amount would allow Soldier’s Best Friend to match one veteran with a service animal and provide 200 treat bags to participating veterans.
The Peoria-based nonprofit organization pairs U.S. veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injuries with service or therapeutic companion dogs. Most dogs were rescued from local shelters.
“Soldier’s Best Friend appreciates Invenergy’s support of our organization and their generous donation to support a veteran in need of critical services,” said Mik Milem, executive director of Soldier’s Best Friend. “We are honored to celebrate our mutual dedication and commitment to the nation’s veterans.”
According to the American Clean Power Association, veterans are able to find jobs in clean power at a rate 34% higher than the average U.S. industry.
Veterans make up over 9% of Invenergy’s overall workforce, Juarez is one of seven veterans in the company’s operations and maintenance team.
“It’s great to see Invenergy not only invest in our communities by delivering energy to Arizonans but also support organizations such as Soldier’s Best Friend and hiring veterans,” said Senator Frank Carroll, who was at the presentation.
Since the organization’s inception in 2011, Soldier’s Best Friend has rescued over 277 homeless dogs and graduated 413 veteran/dog teams. In 2023 the nonprofit provided 2,825 training hours — it has a goal of serving 175 veterans in 2024.
“Together, we can ensure that veterans receive the care, resources and opportunities they deserve,” Juarez said.
