Liberty Dogs is joining the Di Loreto Companies in recognizing veterans in a special unveiling on Thursday. The training facility they've been developing for over a year now is set to open in 2026.
Liberty Dogs will be among the nation's premier service dog training programs for Veterans based in Reno, Nevada. Their goal is to provide veterans with the ability to lead more independent and fulfilling lives through the comfort having a service dog provides.
This veteran's project is also being worked on and built by many veterans themselves.
Perry Di Loreto, the Master Developer and Construction Manager and Partner with the Liberty Dog Project and the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation said this is not your average construction project.
Di Loreto has been in the development business forever 45 years, but he said nothing compares to this project.
“Everything that I’ve done... thousands of homes that we’ve built and projects we’ve developed, this is the most exciting and rewarding project that I’ve ever been involved in,” Di Loreto said.
The concept of Liberty Dogs is to create a campus dedicated to providing breeding, sourcing and training for companion animals for veterans at no cost to them.
“We’ve identified a significant list of veterans and a waiting list that want these service animals," he said. "Once you get to understand what’s going on here and the connection between the service companion and the veteran and how they can help them deal with some of the issues they have because of their service, it’s very impressive.”
Major General Ondra Berry, Adjutant General for the State of Nevada added: “In terms of helping those who’ve helped us, to get back to being their best versions of themselves, so the impact is going to be huge.”
They say these animals are helping in a big way to assist veterans dealing with what they bring home with them.
“You can never unsee or unlearn what you’ve gone through, what you’ve had done to you, what you’ve had to do to other people on behalf of our country," Di Loreto explained. "The animals and that focus between and the companionship, it develops and helps them deal with that.”
“One of the things that people don’t realize is all that you may get exposed to wearing this uniform, what we send you too, what you have to do in order to protect this democracy," Maj. Gen. Barry said. "So the best thing we can do is provide a location, a haven a place they can come and just get better.”
The development will also be able to train over 200 animals at a time, including a full veterinary clinic, quarantine and adoption center plus more veterans' services.
“Some people say the dog chooses the vet than the vet chooses the dog," Di Loreto said. "And then they’ll stay here, live here, and train with their dogs, and they’ll be able to come back for refreshers and recurrence.”
Di Loreto said that the facility will set a new standard worldwide for providing veterans with companion animals.
Maj. Gen. Berry said when you think about Liberty Dogs and the impact it has on the world and our community, it's helping someone heal their invisible wounds.
“This here is a best practice of how we put our arms around and take care of each other," he said.
