Canine Companions to honor 5 veterans at Salute Independence event

Five military veterans from Long Island will be honored by Canine Companions at the nonprofit’s annual Salute independence event next month.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday evening, Nov. 8 at the Inn at New Hyde Park.

Receiving the Outstanding Service Award will be retired U.S. Army Captain Mike Riccardi, who is also the president of United Asset Strategies in Garden City. A graduate of West Point, Riccardi served as an Army captain for seven years, which included a tour of duty in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, where he was operations officer for the U.S. Army 411th Engineer Brigade. He is also an active supporter of Canine Companions’ mission to serve adults, children, and veterans with disabilities at no cost.

Other veterans to be honored at the Salute Independence event include 99-year-old WWII veteran David Marshall of Baldwin; 90-year-old Korean War veteran Salvatore Scarlato of Hauppauge; Vietnam veteran Richard Mooney and his service dog Marshal from Floral Park; and U.S. Army Capt. Joseph Amato of Massapequa.

Founded in 1975, Canine Companions is a leader in the service dog industry, providing service dogs to adults, children and veterans with disabilities and facility dogs to professionals working in healthcare, criminal justice and educational settings. The dogs and all follow-up services are provided at no cost to its clients and the nonprofit’s Northeast Training Center is located in Medford.

Click here for more information about becoming a sponsor and purchase tickets to the Salute Independence event.