HERE ARE THE TRUE FACTS

Recent letters and comments erroneously characterize the nonprofit Institute for Canine Studies (ICS) as a “dog training facility.”  It is actually much more than that.

Our proposal includes bringing together nonprofit partners to train people to train dogs to help people. Our anchor partner, the Assistance Dog Institute (ADI), is authorized by the state of California to grant associates, bachelors of science and masters degrees in assistance dog training and human-canine life sciences. ADI intends to relocate to our area and grow to serve up to 1,000 students at a time, thus we hope to significantly reduce the waiting time for trained service dogs for those who need them from the current 3-5 years.

In addition to facilities for our nonprofit partners, the project would include a number of community-oriented public facilities, such as an extensive dog park and indoor/outdoor training and event facilities capable of hosting regional-scale canine events and community-education programs promoting safe, healthy and responsible dog ownership.

We understand and respect the right of the residents of the city of Marina to determine what uses will best serve their long-term vision for developing the former Fort Ord land. And we hope that a more complete understanding of our unique proposal will inform that process.

WAR NOT SET IN STONE

The majority of local high school students who decide to join the military enter through the Delayed Entry Program (DEP).  These young men and women sign an enlistment agreement before graduation that requires them to report to basic training after graduation.

Some young people change their minds after signing a DEP enlistment agreement and decide not to go into the military.  While many recruiters will tell young people that they cannot withdraw from the DEP, this is not true. If DEP enlistees have not yet reported for service, they can withdraw from the military.

I am an attorney, and I have helped many young people get out of the DEP. I am part of a local Youth Rights project, which provides free information in both English and Spanish. Call the Youth Rights project local hotline at 831-254-1683 and/or the GI rights hotline at 877-447-4487.

Michael I. Marsh | Salinas

CORRECTION

John Matthams is an architectural designer. A story, “Open Wide” [June 26-July 2], misstated his credentials.