A Canadian soldier who has suffered from PTSD is bicycling 1,000 kilometres from Saskatoon to Kenora, Ontario to raise funds for the Wounded Warriors PTSD Support Dog program. Sgt. Rob Nederlof of Base Maintenance at Canadian Forces Base Shilo, Manitoba says he wants to raise funds and awareness about the program. This is his third year for a thousand kilometre trek, but each time it’s a different route.

Nederlof says as an example of the effectiveness of these support dogs, he met a man last year who had just received his dog six weeks prior, and he said he was almost immediately able to do things outside more than he could before. The demand for these support dogs for soldiers and first responders with PTSD outstrips how many dogs are available, so it can be a long wait. Nederlof wants to raise money so more dogs can be trained.

He leaves Saskatoon on August 11th and expects to be in Kenora, Ontario on the 19th. Nederlof says some days will be a 90 kilometre ride, but most will be over 100 kilometres. If you would like to help out or find more information, click here.  You can also check out the Facebook page.