Pups4Patriots…
American Humane Seeks to Help, Improve and Save Lives of More Veterans and Animals in Need of Forever Homes with “Pups4Patriots” Program.
Pups4Patriots Dogs for PTSD: Pups For Patriots in Need of Forever Homes
It’s been an ongoing tragedy, this treatment of our returned war vets. As I wrote in my post War Vets & Wounded Warriors: Remembrance, Healing & Horses, “The most stirring stories we’re hearing today are about support groups. Service dogs…”
When our military men and women return from action, they often carry wounds the rest of us cannot see. Up to one in five veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress; and, sadly, more than 6,000 veterans die each year from suicide. When medicines and therapy fall short, trained service dogs can make a difference.
To help these veterans, American Humane was joined last week at Eau Palm in Manalapan, Florida by more than 300 people, including several generals, a rear admiral, 100 veterans and retired military warriors, and 200 veterans’ advocates including internationally renowned philanthropist Lois Pope in support of the organization’s “Pups4Patriots” program.
“There are many worthy causes in the world, but few inspire more people than working to help our nation’s brave veterans and our nation’s animals in need,” said American Humane President and CEO Dr. Robin Ganzert. “Tonight, with your help, and the support of some of the nation’s leading advocates for our military heroes and homeless animals, we will save more lives – on both ends of the leash.” [1]
American Humane’s “Pups4Patriots” program identifies dogs in need of forever homes and trains them to be lifesaving service dogs free of charge for veterans with PTS and Traumatic Brain Injury — improving and often saving lives on either ends of each healing leash.
The process of obtaining a PTS service dog can take between 18 and 24 months, and cost upward of $30,000.
A cost that is out of reach for many veterans. With too few trained service dogs available for our service men and women in need, American Humane provides critically necessary training and service dogs to veterans in need.
“Nothing is more important than giving our veterans the weapons to win their private battles here at home,” said Major General James “Spider” Marks, who continued, “American Humane’s 104 years of experience in supporting our country’s service men, women and military animals gives them deep insights into how to better protect those who have spent a lifetime protecting us.”
Admiral Thomas Kearney, a board member of American Humane, explained, “I am honored to be a small part of this remarkable organization that has a long history of seeing a need and taking solid action to make things right. From the first animal rescues at the end of WWI, to today, American Humane has been dedicated to helping our veterans in need and is now devoting their time and efforts toward enabling the life-changing affects that these dogs can have on them.”
“Last year as I sat in this room, I was moved by the meaningful work that American Humane was doing through Pups4Patriots and knew that I didn’t just want to be a bystander,” added Mel Coleman, vice president of Coleman Natural Foods. “That’s why we pledged to fund the training for more than two dozen dogs over the next few years.”
Pups4Patriots is the latest in a number of essential programs to give our returned war vets the help they deserve.
Live Free, Mon Ami! – Brian Alan Burhoe
Do You Like this Post?
If so, you’ll want to see my popular Wounded Warriors & Horses article.
“Navy veteran Jessenia Smith and her husband Truitt experienced the healing nature of caring for horses at a Wounded Warrior Project equine therapy workshop. Their love for animals enhanced the workshop’s impact and helped them interact with other veterans.”
SEE War Vets & Wounded Warriors: Remembrance, Healing & Horses
[1] American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, has been working with the U.S. military for more than 100 years, when they rescued and cared for 68,000 war horses wounded each month on the battlefields of World War I Europe. Through their Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, the nonprofit organization now work to provide service dogs for veterans with PTS and TBI, helps arrange for free healthcare for our four-footed warriors, and repatriate and reunite retired war dogs with their former handlers. For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Source: American Humane, PR Newswire & Civilized Bears
Pups4Patriots Dogs for PTSD: Pups For Patriots in Need of Forever Homes
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