Pets for Vets

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Pets for Vets
FounderClarissa Black
Type501(c)3
27-1250302
PurposeTo help heal the emotional wounds of military Veterans by using the power of the human-animal bond to provide a second chance for shelter animals by rescuing, training and pairing them with America's servicemen and women who could benefit from having a companion animal.[1]
Revenue
$1,284,387 [2]
Expenses (2015)$426,401
Websitewww.petsforvets.com

Pets for Vets is a

shelter dogs by rescuing, training, and matching them with American veterans who need a companion pet.[3]
It was founded in 2009 to help veterans who were suffering from combat stress and other emotional issues. Each companion dog is rescued in connection with local animal rescue groups.

History

Pets for Vets was founded on October 21, 2009, by

Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans experience physical and emotional injuries making it difficult to transition back to civilian life.[5][6][7]
Pets for Vets helps military veterans reclaim normalcy in their lives through companion dogs.

Each

obedience training
and any additional training that will help them assimilate into their new lives and then finally placed in their "forever" home.

Issues addressed

Estimates that anywhere from one in eight

sleeplessness, flashbacks, and extreme wariness. It may manifest right away or show up months or even years later. Some of those who have PTSD commit suicide.[10][11][12]

According to the

ASPCA, every year between 6 and 8 million dogs and cats are abandoned at shelters in the United States. Nationally five out of ten shelter dogs and seven out of ten shelter cats are euthanized because there is no one to adopt them from the shelter[13] These dogs and cats can make excellent companion animals
but never have that chance.

Companion animals as therapy

disabilities; it is becoming increasingly useful in treating patients with psychological complications including PTSD and combat stress and even reducing symptoms of PTSD in as many as 82% of patients studied.[14]

More and more veterans are being written prescriptions for

outdoor activities and opportunities for socialization
. Caring for a pet encourages responsibility and adherence to a daily schedule.

Pets for Vets developed a program focusing on addressing these issues by bringing together animals needing to be rescued and veterans needing a companion for a better

service dog
; however, everyone who wants one can benefit from a companion or pet animal.

See also

References

  1. ^ "What We Do". Pets for Vets. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Pets for Vets, Inc. Form 990 2015". ProPublica. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  3. ^ Pets for Vets website About Us Archived 2010-05-13 at the Wayback Machine and How You Can Help. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
  4. ^ Pets for Vets, Retrieved 10.08.09
  5. ^ "Marine Corps Offers Yoga, Massages to Marriages Strained by War". Fox News. Associated Press. 2008-04-02. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  6. ^ Dixon, Laura (February 28, 2009). "Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry accuses Government of neglecting soldiers". London: Times Online. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  7. ^ "UK | Full interview: L/Cpl Johnson Beharry". BBC News. 2009-02-28. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  8. ^ NBC News - Mental Health, Retrieved 10.08.09
  9. ^ Atlanta Metro News-Research: War feeds depression and PTSD, Retrieved 10.08.09
  10. .
  11. ^ David Satcher; et al. (1999). "Chapter 4.2". Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General.
  12. ^ ASPCA Facts, Retrieved 10.08.09
  13. ^ Military News: Army Studies Use of Dogs for PTSD, Retrieved 10.08.09
  14. EBSCOhost
    . Polk Library, UW Oshkosh
  15. PMID 11641292
    .
  16. .
  17. .
  18. .
  19. .

External links