Patriot interview: Zelva and Shelley

Background:

Zelva is a retired Air Force veteran and on the board of one of our adoption partners, Blount County Animal Shelter, from which she adopted a then seven year-old dog named Shelley in August 2014. Shelley is a black Lab mix and, at the time of her adoption, heartworm positive. She was featured in a news story about the shelter's partnership with Pets for Patriots and remained unadopted, and was becoming extremely depressed at the shelter.

Interview should cover:

• Brief background of military experience: when/why entered the military, any memorable moments/events
• Prior experience having a pet; why member decided to adopt a pet at this time
• Why member decided to adopt through Pets for Patriots
• Why member chose his/her pet in particular
• How the pet has helped him/her
• Member's experience with Pets for Patriots
• What s/he would say to another veteran who is considering adopting a companion pet
• If s/he is using our local veterinary partner: anything to add about experiences with them
• Anything else that naturally arises through the course of the interview

Please remind the member to send pictures of himself/herself and the pet; the story cannot be published without them:
https://www.petsforpatriots.org/contact-us/

Contact information and email introduction will be provided to writer who claims this story.

Quotes:

From 9/8/14 update from Zelva:

Shelley is doing great....we have been to partner vet, Animal Medical Clinic of Loudon County, I am very pleased with service there!
Shelley is probably a little older than we thought at the Shelter (where I volunteer and am Pets For Patriot program Mgt for shelter). Also discover she has low thyroid too. Will be having some major dental work done soon. She was very depressed at shelter and has been very active here for an old lady with arthritis! I have 6 other dogs (big house and 5 acres) Shelley, my plott hound (rescued from being besten) and my Pitt mix (shelter rescue, abused, HW+) are roommates and get along well! My other 4 are small terriers and I do not let them interact with her much, I think they are too active and it stresses her!
She has gained 6lbs I think that is a good sign, even though we are watching her weight because of arthritis!
She is s sweet old lady and I am pleased I am able to give her a good home.
I am so happy with all your that your foundation does to help these harder to adopt furbabies and for my veteran brothers and sisters. Like me, their pets are their family. And I feel blessed to be actively supporting your program through our shelter.