PORTSMOUTH, NH – AHEPA District #9 District Governor Nicholas Kallan, after initialing a two year fund raising program announced that the District has achieved its goal of raising $15,000 towards the AHEPA Service Dog Program. The effort was met with a great deal of enthusiasm from all chapters in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. “We are proud to have been able to provide a service dog to a veteran who is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often referred to as the invisible wounds of war,” said DG Kallan.

DG Kallan initiated a challenge amongst all the chapters within the District to raise funds for this project. The chapter that provided the most funding towards this project would select the name of the project dog. The honor of naming the service dog went to the Portsmouth, NH, Parthenon Chapter 215. They chose the name Delphi.

When asked why they chose that particular name, the Chapter President Fotis Zotos stated, “We wanted a name with linkage to our Hellenic ideals that also stands for Wisdom and Life. Delphi is named after the Oracle of Delphi, which was also the temple of the ancient god, Apollo, who was also the God of Healing. Delphi was believe to be the center of the universe and where leaders went to seek advice. The word Delphi also has the meaning of “female womb” or Life; bringing our veterans back to a normal life.”

George Karatzia, National Chairman of the AHEPA Service Dog Program said that he was deeply touched by the thought and detail that Portsmouth chapter took in naming the dog with the close Hellenic connection. “No other sponsor had provided such details in how their dog’s name was selected,” Karatzia said.

District Governor Kallan proudly thanked his entire District Lodge and all District #9 chapters that undertook this noble cause and said, “It’s very heartwarming that we were able to assist a veteran towards achieving recovery and attaining a brighter future.”