‘Guardian Dog Park’ Opens in Carmel

Putnam County Guardian Dog Park is now open at Veterans Memorial Park in Carmel.

The Putnam County Guardian Dog Park – created in partnership with Guardian Revival, Putnam County, and the PFC Dwyer Vet2Vet Program – was dedicated May 22 at Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park (upper park) in Carmel.

The new facility honors the life and legacy of Capt. Max Kalkstein, a U.S. Army combat veteran and police K9 handler, and is designed to serve military members, veterans, first responders, and the broader community.

The park provides a safe, accessible space for canine recreation, training, and connection — reinforcing the therapeutic and practical benefits of animal companionship, especially for those recovering from service-related stress and trauma.

“The Putnam County Guardian Dog Park is a place where people and dogs can heal, train, and thrive together,” said Aaron Leonard, CEO of Guardian Revival. “It’s a space for connection — both between individuals and with the community.”

The park features a public dog run and will later include a dedicated training course for K9 units, Boots & Paws companion dog recipients, and nonprofit canine organizations (with some public hours on select days). It was created as an extension of Guardian Revival’s Boots & Paws program, which provides companion dogs as puppies to guardians for their therapeutic benefits and to help foster healthy routines.

This park initiative also reflects a growing focus on mental health among veterans and first responders.

A 2024 RAND report found that more than 20 percent of New York veterans aren’t receiving the mental health care they need. Similarly, a 2024 study by the Benjamin Center noted that New York’s first responders are calling for more peer support programs and wellness resources.

The Guardian Dog Park stands as a tangible step toward community-based support and stigma reduction.

Members of Guardian Revival including co-founder Alex Othmer, representatives from the Putnam County Veterans Service Agency, and the county’s parks and recreation department, joined members of Kalkstein’s family at the opening ceremony.

“Max served his country and his community with honor,” said Rachel Hill, executive program director of Boots & Paws. “This park is a reflection of that legacy – and a place where healing, remembrance, and joy come together.”

For more information, visit putnamcountyny.gov/parks-recreation and guardianrevival.org/programs/boots-paws.

Joseph Dwyer was an Army medic who became known due to a photo showing him carrying an injured Iraqi boy during combat. After returning home, he struggled with severe PTSD and passed away in 2008.

Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that strives to improve the mental health and well-being of military, veterans, and first responders and their families, at no cost to them.

The Joseph P. Dwyer Vet2Vet program for Putnam County now operates within Guardian Revival, and has served a population of nearly 5,000 resident military veterans of Putnam since 2015.