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Home › Mental health › Four stories and four ways companion pets help military veterans

Four stories and four ways companion pets help military veterans

March 15, 2016Mental health, Extra

Robert Jordan and Kay

One of our most popular posts outlines the ways in which companion pets help military veterans live more healthy, joyful and purposeful lives. We decided to go one step further by illustrating these points with real-life stories of veterans and their adopted pets.

Transitioning from service to civilian life

Although pets are wonderful additions to any family, they require work and care taking. For veterans returning from deployment and trying to find their way in post-military life the daily routines that dogs and cats require can be therapeutic. Often, they prevent veterans from dwelling on the inevitable uncertainties of their new lives as civilians. Aaron and Waffles napping

From 2012-2015 Aaron served in the Army. His most memorable time in service was a one-year deployment to Afghanistan, an experience that he believes that “only people who have done it will understand.”

Aaron’s feelings underscore how many veterans feel: that the experiences, camaraderie and memories shared through military service are not easily replicated in civilian life. In fact, more than 25 percent of veterans report difficulty in post-military life, a figure that is higher for post-9/11 veterans as well as those who suffered serious injuries.

The Army veteran had already decided to adopt a dog when he learned about Pets for Patriots. He ended up saving an adult Pitbull whom he renamed Waffles – a dog whose temperament and energy level is not only compatible with Aaron’s, but demands that the young veteran commit to the kind of daily routine he had grown accustomed to in the Army.

Reducing symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety

Matthew was not prepared for just how difficult life would be after the military. He received a medical discharge due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression, and felt that he was on a very dark road in his life. Matthew and Eli

“I started missing sleep, social life and work because of what was going on in my mind,” he shares.

In addition to his emotional troubles Matthew was going through a divorce, and had been prescribed a cocktail of medications “that I couldn’t even spell to save my life.”

One day at the suggestion of a friend Matthew went to a local animal shelter, which partners with Pets for Patriots. There he met a severely abused dog who had been used as bait in a dog fighting ring. He describes the dog, since renamed Eli, as his symbol of hope: despite all she had endured she still had the capacity to love.

Several months after adopting Eli – who lost one eye as a result of the horrific cruelty inflicted upon her – Matthew was able to stop taking nearly all of his medications. He calls Eli his “miracle.”

Filling the voids created by deployment

Our veterans are not the only people who make sacrifices in service to their country; their families do as well. Not only must they endure frequent relocations, long absences and other realities of military life, but they are a service member’s primary and most enduring support system. Robert Jordan and Kay

For the family left behind when a parent, guardian, spouse or partner deploys, a pet can be a lifeline.

Kay was an adult dog who, like too many others, was sitting in a shelter with few prospects for adoption. No doubt she watched as countless potential adopters passed her by in favor of a fluffy little puppy.

Robert and his wife Jordan were both from California and knew no one when the military relocated Robert to the East coast. They adopted Kay to “find peace through the love of an animal,” and feel that the big dog has only brought them closer together.

Now when Robert spends weeks or months at sea, Jordan has Kay’s love and companionship to pull her through.

Comfort to the lonely and alone

One does not have to be alone to feel alone, or to feel lonely. Fortunately, the negative impacts of loneliness and feelings of isolation can be reduced through companion pet adoption.

Jonathan has a fulfilling post-military career, and a home life replete with his favorite activities: cooking, watching hockey and reading comics. But when his beloved cat Ziggy died in his arms, the Army veteran was gripped with a crippling grief and profound loneliness. The loss was devastating. Jonathan and Tessa on floor_square

The Army veteran decided to honor Ziggy’s life by adopting a cat in need, specifically an older animal who would have fewer prospects for adoption. There was one particular eight year-old cat whose online profile caught Jonathan’s eye. He knew she was “the one.”

Tessa was no stranger to loss, either. She sat in a Tampa shelter, separated from what may have been the only family she had ever known. Jonathan felt an instant connection with her, and adopted the senior cat through our program.

That very first night Tessa hopped onto Jonathan’s bed and laid next to him, just as Ziggy had done for twelve years. The Army veteran decided then and there that “it was meant to be.” Although he misses Ziggy, Jonathan is no longer lonely. And neither is Tessa.

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Puppy mills are places of unspeakable cruelty. The Puppy mills are places of unspeakable cruelty. They exist solely because of greed and a callous disregard for the lives of animals.

Thanks to @bissellpets for sharing this informative graphic on how to spot a likely puppy mill. Please share in kind and - needless to say - always adopt, don't shop!

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Maisie, Hawk, Mosley, Betty White, Annie, Sammy, T Maisie, Hawk, Mosley, Betty White, Annie, Sammy, Talahassee, Juju, Corn, and Pierogi - just some of the long term pets waiting way too long for a hero and a home. Meet all of our Forget Me Not pets and contact the shelters directly to inquire about adoption. Many are available for out-of-state placements; all are amazing creatures in desperate need of a loving home and all deserve no less.

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Meet our recent "K" adopters, m'kay? * Kricket is Meet our recent "K" adopters, m'kay?

* Kricket is retired Navy and recently visited our partners @kitsaphumanesociety where she adopted not one, not two, but THREE petite pups! Reina pictured here is @petsforpatriots eligible, as is Remy (not pictured). But Kricket wasn't done saving lives because she threw yet another lifeline to Dior to round out her perfect petite pupper family! Thanks to @kitsaphumanesociety for giving our veterans 50% off adoption fees...anchors aweigh! 

* Konner served in the Air Force and together with his beautiful partner welcomed 4 year-old Hammer into their home. Formerly named Lucretia, Hammer is a beneficiary of our hero fund for veterinary care to help with the initial costs of prescriptions to ease pain from patellar luxation (a fancy way of saying: knee problems)! Another great fee-waived adoption through @dekalbanimals - part of the trio of @lifelineanimal shelters that participate in our program. 

Every animal saved from a shelter makes room for another animal in need to be rescued. It's estimated that only 25% of dogs and 29% of cats are adopted through shelters, numbers that are frankly pathetic. Please continue to advocate for adoption as the only option!

#adoptdontshop #adoptdontbuy #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #pitbulllove #loveabully #dontbullymybreed #cutepup #weratedogs #navyveteran #navy #airforceveteran #airforce #usaf #femaleveteran
The impacts of serving in the Gulf War left John w The impacts of serving in the Gulf War left John with crippling, severe anxiety. A spirited hound who needed a home would be just what the Army veteran needed to regain his life.

Click the link in our bio to read their tale, and thanks once again to @bmorehumane for another lifesaving match!

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Clark retired from the Marines after more than 20 Clark retired from the Marines after more than 20 years of service to our nation. And in 2012 he was one of our early adopters - literally and figuratively - when he rescued then 2 year-old Ellie.

Ellie is now 13 and the pint-sized pup is still living large with Clark and his family, who recently gave us this heartfelt shoutout:

"Wanted to thank you for the many years of support your team has provided! It has helped out immensely over the years! Thank you all for what you have done and for what you continue to do."

Sounds like a mission accomplished to us!

Thanks to our partners @ranchocoastal - one of our earliest shelter partners - for this enduring match, and for continuing to waive adoption fees for veterans in our program.

#gotchadayanniversary #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #militaryfamily #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #usmarines #usmarinecorps #petsforvets
Ahoy, mate! Noah retired from the Navy and just th Ahoy, mate! Noah retired from the Navy and just threw a lifeline to Kali, a stunning Cane Corso mix. This big, beautiful girl was in the care of our partners @norfolkanimals which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

Click to the next photo to see their freedom ride pic!

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CJ is a disabled Marine veteran who finds joy in t CJ is a disabled Marine veteran who finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, including the addition of an older cat who joined her after the loss of a beloved pet.

Click the link in our bio to read their tale!

Thanks @sdhumanesociety for helping us make this purr-fect story possible and for waiving adoption fees for veterans in our program. ❤️

#sdhumanesociety #femaleveteran #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #cats_of_instagram #cutecat #cutecats #cutecatsofinstagram #nalacat #adoptasheltercat #adoptaseniorpet #oldcatsofinstagram #oldcats #twoisbetterthanone
You know it's love when your new Marine Corps dad You know it's love when your new Marine Corps dad gives up his armchair for you. ❤️

Congratulations to nearly 9 year-old Holly Belle who's already made herself at home. She met Chuck through our partners @fredspca - which waives adoption fees for veterans we serve...oorah!

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Wishing all of our Jewish friends around the world Wishing all of our Jewish friends around the world a sweet New Year, especially the men and women of the U.S. military who serve in all corners of the world in defense of our freedoms, including the freedom to practice (or not) the faith of our choosing.

L'shana tovah!

#lshanatova #lshanahtovah #roshhashana #roshhashanah #happynewyear #jewishnewyear #freedom #freedomofreligion #sweetnewyear
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