Sierra Delta founder brings veteran-dog model to Connecticut

Sierra Delta founder BJ Ganem, a Marine veteran who lost his leg in Iraq, is in Connecticut Sept. 20-21 to spotlight the nonprofit’s approach to helping veterans through dogs. The group says its model gives veterans more control over training and has already funded more than 1,100 grants nationwide.

Why it matters: - Sierra Delta is pushing a different path for veterans who want support from dogs. - The nonprofit’s model lets veterans choose the dog and trainer that fit their lives. - The approach is designed to help veterans rebuild routine, responsibility and connection.

What happened: - Sierra Delta founder BJ Ganem is available for interviews Sept. 20-21 in Connecticut and the Northeast region. - Ganem, a decorated Marine veteran who lost his leg to an IED in Iraq, will be in Ridgefield, Connecticut on Monday, Sept. 21 for the Sierra Delta Golf Classic at Silver Springs Country Club. - Sierra Delta said the golf tournament is part of a broader effort to expand its reach in its second decade. - Lee Otto, a decorated U.S. Army veteran who earned three Purple Hearts, will also attend the tournament with his service dog, Sayge.

The details: - Sierra Delta is a Wisconsin-based national 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on the human-dog bond for military veterans. - Through the Life Buddy Program, veterans choose their own dog and professional trainer. - Sierra Delta provides a $3,500 training grant paid directly to the trainer. - The training can support a service dog, companion dog or family dog, depending on the veteran’s goals. - Sierra Delta says it has funded more than 1,100 training grants for veterans nationwide in the last nine years. - The organization expects nearly 200 grants in 2026, which would put it on record pace. - Sierra Delta is approaching its 10th anniversary in 2027. - Blue Buffalo Dog Food has been one of Sierra Delta’s major supporters. - Blue Buffalo founder Bill Bishop, a fellow Marine, and his family live in the Northeast. - Bishop encouraged Ganem to create a nonprofit focused on helping veterans and their dogs and backed that effort with financial support. - Blue Buffalo and Walmart are raising funds for Sierra Delta through an August and September promotion. - The promotion donates 50 cents from every Blue Buffalo dog food product sold at Walmart during those months to support Sierra Delta’s mission. - The Sierra Delta Golf Classic is sold out. - The public can still support the mission by donating at Sierra Delta. - Veterans and their dogs can also be made available for interviews, demonstrations and visual content. - Publicist Robb Leer is coordinating interviews at 612-701-0608 and Robbl@leercommunication.com.

Between the lines: - Sierra Delta is leaning on a simpler pitch than the traditional service-dog model. - The organization is framing the veteran-dog bond as a broader support system, not just a placement program. - The Northeast is part of Sierra Delta’s origin story and current fundraising push, which may help the group widen its footprint beyond Wisconsin.

What's next: - Ganem’s Connecticut trip is meant to support media outreach as Sierra Delta enters its second decade. - The fundraiser and retailer promotion could help the nonprofit finance more training grants in 2026. - Sierra Delta is positioning for continued growth as demand for trained dogs and veteran support rises nationwide.