Another area motorcycle group came together recently to help with a worthwhile cause.

The North Puget Sound Chapter of the Brothers in Arms sponsored a charity motorcycle run June 30 to raise money for Pets for Vets, a nonprofit group that helps train shelter dogs as companion animals for veterans. For members, benefit rides are just a continuation of the service men and women are used to performing during their military careers.

“I spent 21 years in the Navy,” said Brothers in Arms president Tom Oliphant, also known as ‘Renegade.’ “Every time we’d pull into a foreign port, different groups would go in and do something to help the local community. I guess 21 years of doing things for others keeps you involved in wanting to continue doing things like that.”

As a group, Brothers in Arms is still relatively young — it began 10 years ago. The local chapter started the process in 2007. Members can be active duty, honorably discharged or retired from any branch of the military and have a cruiser-style motorcycle. Oliphant said it’s important for people in the community to know the group is more than just a motorcycle club.

“Anything we can find to do to help not just veterans, but the community, we want to do it,” he said. “This is our home and we like to help our local community. It gives us a sense of well-being to know we’re helping more than just our members.”

Jim Ballos is the program director for the Northwest Region of Pets for Vets. He said he was stunned when he got a call from the Brothers in Arms telling him they wanted to do a charity run to benefit the organization.

“I had never heard of them,” Ballos said. “But that a group of vets would call, knowing the importance of the program to other vets — I’ve never seen a unity that strong.”

Pets for Vets currently has chapters in 11 states. The program has only been in Washington since 2010. Ballos, a veteran himself, said the program has been a very successful way to help veterans suffering from all kinds of ailments, from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to Gulf War Syndrome.

“I stand before you today because of a companion animal,” he said. “They’re there with the unconditional love veterans need.”

Ballos, who said he was a burden on the system for 20 years, now wants to pay it forward, which is why he got involved with Pets for Vets.

“It’s helped me. Now it’s about them,” he said.

It takes about four to five months to train a rescue dog because many of them are already partially trained, according to Ballos. Cost of the training, which is all done by trained volunteers, is about $500 to $750. Veterans applying to the program are interviewed to ascertain their needs and desires in a companion animal. Once a pet is paired with a veteran, the pet spends time in a trainer’s home, learning basic obedience and other behaviors needed to live with its new owner. When the dogs complete their training, they are turned over to veterans at no cost to them.

“In a way, a lot of veterans feel we have to watch out for each other,” Ballos said. “This event is opening many avenues for us.”

“It’s for the vets – that’s the payoff,” said Dave Hollett, a member of the VFW Riders in Oak Harbor who participated in the charity ride. “All our rides benefit somebody. We’re happy as heck – we can’t lose.”

“Pets for Vets is such a tremendous organization, we could not go without helping them out,” Oliphant said.

Pets for Vets:

Anyone interested in learning more about Pets for Vets can go to www.pets-for-vets.com. Earmark contributions for Washington state to assure funds stay in the Northwest to help Washington veterans seeking a companion animal.

Ballos said he was amazed at the support he found in Oak Harbor.

“I think it’s a very powerful statement,” he said. “Patriotism has deeper roots than people think. It doesn’t stop at the Fourth of July.”