BOURBON — A Bourbon woman has undertaken a crusade to help support the troops, and is including those serving in the military of the four-legged variety.

Lisa Eiser, whose son Nicholas graduated from Triton Jr.-Sr. High School and is now serving on submarines in the U.S. Navy, is a volunteer with the Military Working Dog Team Support Association.

Her role involves compiling care packages for troops and military working dogs and is a labor of love for the Triton mom.

“Well, as every parent knows, when your child is in their last semester of college, they should get a pet,” Eiser said in reference to her main inspiration. “In our case, (it was) a dog. Then, he joined the military as a submariner. So we have had the dog about eight-plus years.”

Eiser said having a dog and having a son in the military eventually led to the current passion she shares with her husband, Mike Eiser.

“We always refer to her (the family dog) as our military pup because she was our Navy kid’s dog,” Eiser said. “About three years ago, Mike and I were at a Veterans Day service at Mentone Elementary School and there was a retired military working dog there. At that moment, I knew that that is were I wanted to volunteer — something that helped the handlers and the dogs.” Eiser did her research and asked the organization if she could volunteer.

“We have been involved in two packing events and four base visits to the kennels to take goodies and supplies to those handlers as well. Our organization also supports retired military working dogs and military war dog memorials.”

Eiser said she’s in the midst of another packing event and is graciously accepting donations of such items as ground coffee in one-pound bags, protein bars, single serve powdered drink mixes, packages of sunflower seeds, surgical scissors and, of course, dog treats and other accessories.

“While we have had many supplies and treats donated, our boxes are not full,” Eiser said. “Think about what a getting a box full of goodies means to the handlers and dogs. We are still short some needed items.”

Anyone wishing to donate and wanting to know what the group still needs can contact Eiser at [email protected].