BOARDMAN, Ohio – The newest member of the Window World team may not generate the most sales. She can’t help with installation, either, but she’s probably the most popular office member.
And soon she’ll ease the struggles of a military veteran or first responder with a disability. Liberty, a 6-month-old labrador/golden retriever mix, will be trained to be a service dog through America’s VetDogs, a national nonprofit in Smithtown, N.Y.
The Southern Boulevard, Boardman, Window World location, owned by the Moran family, was selected by Window World Inc. as one of two of its 220 franchises to raise a puppy for America’s VetDogs through the Window World Military Initiative.
“A woman who does philanthropic work with veterans for Window World reached out to all of our franchises,” says Gina Schumer, communications manager for Window World Youngstown.
The organization was looking for people who were willing to have a puppy for an extended period. Moran supported the idea, and “I immediately thought of Trish,” Schumer says, chuckling.
Temporary Home
Accounting director Trish Powers and her family have three dogs. When Powers learned the dog would go to a veteran, she called her husband, Robert.
“I think we talked for about two minutes and we were on board because we’re a military family,” Powers says. “And I also have family members who have served who have benefited from service dogs. So it was just perfect for us to give back this way.”
A relative worked as a bomb dog handler through a civilian contract. The work led to post traumatic stress and Powers and her sister, who’s a veterinarian, trained a border collie for him. The dog helps him deal with stress and eases his anxiety.
“It’s like a complete turnaround,” she says of the relative now that he has the dog.
Liberty, a velvety black coated long-legged pup with deep soulful brown eyes and plush floppy ears, lives with Powers and her family and usually accompanies her to Window World. The dog stays in Powers’ office. But if Powers gets tied up, there’s no shortage of colleagues volunteering to take the dog out for a stroll.
In a news release, Pat Moran says Window World is all about serving veterans through its military initiative.
“Liberty has already been a huge hit around here, and I can’t wait to learn about the deserving veteran she will one day serve,” he says.
Window World Youngstown is one of seven Window World locations owned and operated by Pat Moran, his father, Fred Moran, and children Patrick Moran and Mandi Fluck. Other locations are in Akron, Cleveland, Toledo, Pittsburgh, Weirton, W. Va. and Detroit. Window World provides homeowners with replacement windows, doors siding and gutters.
In August, the Moran family group of stores was named “Store of the Year” at the 2024 Window World Family Reunion in Orlando, Fla.
Liberty at Work
Wearing her red bandana and blue jacket, identifying her both as a military service dog in training and a Window World employee, Liberty trots alongside Powers on her leash through the store warehouse, greeting workers there.
“Hi Liberty,” calls Jim Lebaron who works in the warehouse. Liberty wags her tail, strolls over and Lebaron leans down to scruff the pup’s ears. Lebaron loves having the dog at work.
“I’m going to hate to see her go,” he says. “She’s just the kindest dog. She’s sweet and she’s lovable. I wish she’d stay. Whoever gets her is going to get one heck of a nice dog.”
Jeff Conner, installation manager, is another of Liberty’s Window World friends. Her ears perk and her tail wags when she sees him approach. Even though Conner is on the phone talking to installers, he kneels down and pets her as Liberty moves in for more.
Powers says she’s working to socialize the pup. That’s what the organization asks of puppy raisers. America’s VetDogs pays for veterinary bills and Moran covers food and toy expenses.
Powers takes Liberty on family outings and vacations, kids’ sporting and dance events and grocery store trips too, trying to acclimate her to different scenarios.
When the dog reaches about 15 months, she’ll go back to America’s VetDogs for six months of service dog training.
Powers explains that America’s VetDogs selects dogs bred for calmness to be service animals. And Liberty doesn’t exhibit the hijinks common among many pups her age. Powers carries bits of kibble in a treat pouch to coax the dog when needed. While treat motivated, Liberty waits patiently for each morsel, nibbling it from Powers’ hand when prompted.
America’s VetDogs started in 2003. In 2015, it added first responders as recipients of service dogs.
“VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals,” the organization’s website says.
While it costs about $50,000 to breed, raise and train each dog, veterans and first responders receive them for free. “Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and community organizations,” according to the VetDogs’ website.
Powers provides regular updates to the organization on Liberty’s progress and Window World even has a monthly contest among employees to try to guess the dog’s weight.
“Everyone gets involved,” she offers. “I think I had, out of the 70 employees, I think I had 52 guesses.”
When it comes time to say goodbye to the dog, Powers knows it will be emotional. No recipient has been identified, but Powers will be able to meet him or her at the graduation ceremony. Tears are an inevitability but Powers knows the dog will go to someone who needs and deserves her. She hopes the veteran who gets Liberty will want to keep in touch.
“I feel blessed to be able to do this,” she says.
Pictured at top: Window World Youngstown communications manager Gina Schumer and accounting director Trish Powers pose in the Southern Boulevard showroom with Liberty.