DVNF Launches HERL Initiative

The Disabled Veterans National Foundation is announcing an initiative to help the Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) to purchase new equipment for its operations.

Directed by Dr. Rory Cooper, an Army veteran and engineer, HERL improves the mobility and function of people with disabilities through advanced engineering in clinical research and medical rehabilitation.

DVNF has partnered with HERL, located at the University of Pittsburgh, and will help their team raise $50,000 for a piece of equipment they desperately need, called a CNC lathe. The lab’s current lathe is from a World War II surplus.

HERL also has programs specifically catered to teach transitioning disabled veterans the basics of machinery to prepare them for a high-demand career, which is a major reason that DVNF wants to help them purchase this equipment.

"Dr. Rory Cooper is an inspiration to me, committing his life to helping others with disabilities after he became paralyzed," said DVNF CEO, Joseph VanFonda (SgtMaj Ret). "This initiative is our vote of confidence in his team as well as our way of thanking him for all the groundbreaking work he does to improve the lives of disabled veterans." More information on the project and the work of the Human Engineering Research Laboratories can be found on the DVNF website.

About Disabled Veterans National Foundation: The Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to change the lives of men and women who came home wounded or sick after defending our safety and our freedom. A nonprofit 501c3, DVNF was founded in the fall of 2007 by six women veterans to expand their scope of work within the veteran's community. The DVNF has provided $16.1 million in cash and requested items such as clothing, food, health & hygiene products to tens of thousands of under-served & disabled veterans nationwide.