Pets for Patriots Works with Army AW2 Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Carson, Colorado
Not-for-profit helps wounded soldiers, veterans and their families honorably adopt adult shelter pets
Colorado Springs, CO, August 26, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Pets for Patriots, Inc., a not-for-profit that connects loyal adult shelter pets with our country's loyal service men and women, launched a program with the Army’s AW2 Wounded Warrior Program in Fort Carson, Colorado to help wounded soldiers transition to civilian life with the help of an adopted adult pet. An estimated four million shelter dogs and cats are put to death every year, in spite of numerous studies proving the emotional and physical benefits of companion pets.
Pets for Patriots founder and executive director, Beth Zimmerman, proposed the idea to the AW2 care team at Fort Carson during an April visit to the Army base.
“Many wounded soldiers aren’t eligible for a service animal, but would benefit from a new pet friend,” says Zimmerman. “Working with the AW2 team, we can connect recovering veterans with an adult pet in need. Not only do veterans enjoy the innate therapeutic qualities of a companion animal, they become that pet’s hero for saving its life.”
To assist veterans in choosing a needs- and lifestyle-appropriate pet, Pets for Patriots has partnered with Dumb Friends League, the premier Rocky Mountain animal welfare organization since 1910.
“We are honored to partner with Pets for Patriots and want to thank military personnel for their service to our country by helping them find that perfect match,” says Bob Rohde, president and CEO of the Dumb Friends League. “A pet brings so much joy to one’s life, and by adopting, these families also give a homeless pet a second chance at happiness.”
Those interested in cat adoption can also visit Angels With Paws. Its director, Jean Ausenbaugh, is excited to be part of the Pets for Patriots program. “We love our vets and want to do everything we can for them, and we love being part of this wonderful idea.” In addition to cat adoption, Angels With Paws offers a cat foster program to active duty military personnel who are scheduled to deploy and have no one to care for their pet.
Area veterinarians are partnering with Pets for Patriots to provide ongoing reduced cost veterinary care. Westside Animal Hospital and Cook Veterinary Hospital support the charity’s mission to make military pet ownership affordable by providing a minimum 10% discount off all veterinary fees for the life of the adopted pet. Both are located in Colorado Springs, near Fort Carson.
“We were very impressed by Pets for Patriots’ mission of pairing special needs pets with veterans who would greatly benefit from animal companionship,” says Leslie Ornelas, Westside’s hospital administrator. “With the difficulty in finding homes for special needs pets, to be able to assist in placing these pets while also helping those who have given so much to our country is an honor and a privilege. The doctors and staff of Westside Animal Hospital are proud to contribute to Pets for Patriots’ mission.”
Individuals are eligible from any branch of the United States military and at any stage of their careers – active, reserve, retired or veteran – as well as those that are wounded or transitioning to civilian life. Eligible adoptions include a dog or cat, at least two years old, as well as large dogs and special needs pets.
“Our goal with the AW2 Wounded Warriors Program is twofold,” says Zimmerman, “To support the ongoing recovery of wounded soldiers, and to rehome animals in a sustainable way - dogs and cats that otherwise face near-certain death.”
Service members interested in the program must first apply through Pets for Patriots and provide proof of their military service, and AW2 participants must provide a note from their medical health provider stating that they are ready for pet ownership. Once approved, the veteran can visit any member shelter in the area for assistance in choosing their new best friend. Post adoption, participating veterinarians provide ongoing access to reduced cost veterinary care, and the charity helps offset the costs of pet food and basics.
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About Pets for Patriots
Pets for Patriots, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that helps military members honorably adopt adult shelter pets. Its mission is to consistently give the gifts of fidelity, joy and companionship to both pet and person. Pets for Patriots is one of the only organizations in the country dedicated to both adult pets and military members. The charity is a proud national partner of the Real Warriors Campaign, member of the Army AW2 Wounded Warrior Program national community support network and is listed by the National Resource Directory for ill and wounded veterans. Visit www.petsforpatriots.org for more information.
Pets for Patriots founder and executive director, Beth Zimmerman, proposed the idea to the AW2 care team at Fort Carson during an April visit to the Army base.
“Many wounded soldiers aren’t eligible for a service animal, but would benefit from a new pet friend,” says Zimmerman. “Working with the AW2 team, we can connect recovering veterans with an adult pet in need. Not only do veterans enjoy the innate therapeutic qualities of a companion animal, they become that pet’s hero for saving its life.”
To assist veterans in choosing a needs- and lifestyle-appropriate pet, Pets for Patriots has partnered with Dumb Friends League, the premier Rocky Mountain animal welfare organization since 1910.
“We are honored to partner with Pets for Patriots and want to thank military personnel for their service to our country by helping them find that perfect match,” says Bob Rohde, president and CEO of the Dumb Friends League. “A pet brings so much joy to one’s life, and by adopting, these families also give a homeless pet a second chance at happiness.”
Those interested in cat adoption can also visit Angels With Paws. Its director, Jean Ausenbaugh, is excited to be part of the Pets for Patriots program. “We love our vets and want to do everything we can for them, and we love being part of this wonderful idea.” In addition to cat adoption, Angels With Paws offers a cat foster program to active duty military personnel who are scheduled to deploy and have no one to care for their pet.
Area veterinarians are partnering with Pets for Patriots to provide ongoing reduced cost veterinary care. Westside Animal Hospital and Cook Veterinary Hospital support the charity’s mission to make military pet ownership affordable by providing a minimum 10% discount off all veterinary fees for the life of the adopted pet. Both are located in Colorado Springs, near Fort Carson.
“We were very impressed by Pets for Patriots’ mission of pairing special needs pets with veterans who would greatly benefit from animal companionship,” says Leslie Ornelas, Westside’s hospital administrator. “With the difficulty in finding homes for special needs pets, to be able to assist in placing these pets while also helping those who have given so much to our country is an honor and a privilege. The doctors and staff of Westside Animal Hospital are proud to contribute to Pets for Patriots’ mission.”
Individuals are eligible from any branch of the United States military and at any stage of their careers – active, reserve, retired or veteran – as well as those that are wounded or transitioning to civilian life. Eligible adoptions include a dog or cat, at least two years old, as well as large dogs and special needs pets.
“Our goal with the AW2 Wounded Warriors Program is twofold,” says Zimmerman, “To support the ongoing recovery of wounded soldiers, and to rehome animals in a sustainable way - dogs and cats that otherwise face near-certain death.”
Service members interested in the program must first apply through Pets for Patriots and provide proof of their military service, and AW2 participants must provide a note from their medical health provider stating that they are ready for pet ownership. Once approved, the veteran can visit any member shelter in the area for assistance in choosing their new best friend. Post adoption, participating veterinarians provide ongoing access to reduced cost veterinary care, and the charity helps offset the costs of pet food and basics.
###
About Pets for Patriots
Pets for Patriots, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that helps military members honorably adopt adult shelter pets. Its mission is to consistently give the gifts of fidelity, joy and companionship to both pet and person. Pets for Patriots is one of the only organizations in the country dedicated to both adult pets and military members. The charity is a proud national partner of the Real Warriors Campaign, member of the Army AW2 Wounded Warrior Program national community support network and is listed by the National Resource Directory for ill and wounded veterans. Visit www.petsforpatriots.org for more information.
Contact
Pets for Patriots, Inc.
Beth Zimmerman
877-473-8223
www.petsforpatriots.org
Beth Zimmerman
877-473-8223
www.petsforpatriots.org
Contact
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