Matt Perella served in the United States Marine Corps for a period of time. However, upon his return from deployment, he was faced with new complications, as was the case for many other service members.
Sadly, Matt’s experience had left him with PTSD. It consumed him to the point where he entertained suicidal thoughts. Thankfully, however, Matt was not alone. Raffe, his service dog, remained by his side and provided comfort.
In fact, Matt recalls two occasions when he gave up on life because Raffe jumped on him and refused to let him up. Raffe could be said to have saved Matt’s life.
Matt eventually realized he required assistance to overcome PTSD. To raise funds, he decided to take Raffe and Buck across the country on foot.
The trio, also known as “The Three Amigos,” plan to walk over 5,000 miles to raise enough money to build a ranch. This ranch will aid not only veterans suffering from PTSD but also the animals.
Matt hopes to provide a sanctuary for retired horses and a second chance for “dogs on death row.” Raffe was originally on death row for aggression, but he was able to adapt to normal society through training.
When the ranch is fully operational, Matt intends to offer the same opportunities to other abandoned dogs. Do you have a soft spot for rescue dogs, horses, or veterans? If any of the above apply, you should visit Matt’s GoFundMe page to learn more about his dream: the Righteous Rescue Ranch.