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Wet Nose Blog
Home › Extra › Pets for Patriots says let freedom ride

Pets for Patriots says let freedom ride

July 4, 2016Extra

Independence Day has come and gone, but at Pets for Patriots we think about freedom every day of the year.

For the veterans we serve our companion pet adoption program often means freedom from emotional challenges that prevent them from embracing life: Post Traumatic Stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness. A different kind of liberty awaits the dogs and cats adopted by these veterans. Freedom from near-certain death or permanent homelessness; from cruelty, abuse and neglect; freedom from a life lacking love and security.

Let freedom ride
Oliver's freedom ride
Oliver on his freedom ride after 450+ days in a shelter

Within the animal welfare community a pet’s trip from the shelter to a new home is known as the ‘freedom ride.’ Some animals adopted through our work have waited a very long time for this moment, like Oliver – whose freedom ride came after more than 450 days in a shelter. In so many ways this was his savior’s liberation as well; it marked Patrick’s initial journey to cope with Post Traumatic Stress with a battle buddy by his side.

Here are some ways we are bringing freedom home:

  • As of June 30, 2016 Pets for Patriots has made possible 1,100 freedom rides; by the time you read this that number will already be obsolete.
  • As of that same date we have disbursed $296,976 to veterans through our pet food bank program, which defrays the costs of ‘welcome home’ basics for our new adopters and gives a helping paw to those experiencing temporary financial hardship.
  • $25,000 recently contributed by an anonymous donor as a major gift to our veterinary fund, which helps veterans afford life-saving or life-extending medical care for pets adopted through Pets for Patriots.
  • $10,971 has been committed to date towards urgent and essential veterinary care through our dedicated fund, including for pets like Jazzy – who has already outlived her prognosis thanks to the generosity of donors who are contributing to her care.

    Jazzy and her Navy dad Dave
    Jazzy and her Navy dad Dave

Every day we are grateful for the many freedoms that our military veterans have made, and continue to make possible, and are honored to play a small role in making their lives more free as well. Thank you to everyone who makes our mission and work happen through actions large and small by:

  • Sharing our stories
  • Volunteering
  • Being an advocate for veterans and homeless pets
  • Joining the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • Making a donation
  • Leaving a legacy through planned giving

Let freedom ride!

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8 comments

  1. loni says:
    September 25, 2018 at 7:17 am

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  2. zara says:
    September 25, 2018 at 4:27 am

    Ronald, what a beautiful testament to the power of a pet. And we think your life is a very special one, and feel blessed to have you as part of our Pets for Patriots family.asian art

  3. sana says:
    September 25, 2018 at 2:59 am

    I am reading about chronic depression first time and i never heard about this depression diseases. You said right E-4 is very junior for the responsibility, but very well respected doing the work. For removing depression We should take some good step.antique gallery

  4. Felix says:
    September 22, 2018 at 2:31 am

    I am a new visitor to this site. I liked your way of presenting the posts.It was really good. I would like to read more and more blogs written bye you. Thanks for the interesting post 🙂

  5. bethz says:
    July 8, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Thank you, Mary! We’re glad that we can bring you joy through sharing our adoption stories.

  6. bethz says:
    July 8, 2016 at 11:41 am

    Ronald, what a beautiful testament to the power of a pet. And we think your life is a very special one, and feel blessed to have you as part of our Pets for Patriots family!

  7. mary says:
    July 5, 2016 at 2:40 pm

    So uplifting to look forward to these comments and stories every week. Life is good.

  8. Ronald Williams Garcia says:
    July 5, 2016 at 10:44 am

    Magai and I am so glad we found this organization. Our freedom ride was in June 2011. I do not know if it was his or mine. All I know is I have not been hospitalized since he came. More, my dependence on medication has reduced.

    There is something wonderful about waking up every morning to someone who is happy just because I woke up.

    Thank you Pets for Patriots. You save at least, what I think a very special life, mine!!!

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Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with ou Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with our pup...
Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spe Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spectacular ears? 

Okay...moment over! 🤣 This hunky hound just hit the adoption jackpot when Annette and her husband - both Air Force veterans - added this 3+ year-old fella to their family. We thank these high-flying patriots for their service and for opening their hearts and home to this magnificent beast!

#staffysaturday #dontbullymybreed #loveabull #airforceveteran #militaryfamily #petsforpatriots
When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you j When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you just have to adopt a dog with a double name, too...like Russia Roo!

This sweet shepherd mix and her Army veteran dad became the 148th match through our partners @pgc_pets4us - which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program...woot!

#armystrong #armyveteran #shepherdsofinstagram #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #petsforpatriots
Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one day when the coy cat chose a dual Navy couple as his own. In time he would prove his mettle as a “little therapy cat.”

Click the link in our bio to read this purr-fect adoption tale, and thanks to our partners @chesapeakehumane for helping us make it all happen!

#adoptasheltercat #navycouple #iserved #therapycat #petsforpatriots
Mila is mesmerizing!! This stunning 3 year-old mi Mila is mesmerizing!!

This stunning 3 year-old mix just set sail with Jared, who for more than 10 years and counting serves in the Navy. The pair were matched through our partners @kitsaphumanesociety which offers veterans in our program 50% off adoption fees. Anchors aweigh!

#navy #adoptashelterdog #kitsaphumanesociety #petsforpatriots #muttsrule
Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline (and a cone!) to Little Man, a stunning adult cat she met through our partners @vbspca. Megan received a 25% adoption fee discount and has access to their low-cost veterinary clinic without proof of income - just a couple of the benefits of adopting through our partnership.

All we know is that this is one very lucky black cat! Smooth sailing, Megan and Little Man!

#blackcat #adoptasheltercat #femaleveteran #navyveteran #petsforpatriots
Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid h Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid her senior Pittie rescue and @petsforpatriots alum Jerry a peaceful trip over the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈

Joan knew she needed to dust herself off and save another 4-legged soul, so earlier this week she rescued 5 year-old Smokey, a stunning Cane Corso she met through our partners Baltimore County Animal Services, which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

We're so honored that many veterans, like Joan, are repeat adopters through our program - embracing our mission to save the most vulnerable shelter animals while benefiting from their loyalty and love. ❤️

#rainbowbridge🌈 #adoptashelterdog #armystrong #petsforpatriots
Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one day when the lonely Marine met a shelter cat who turned her life around.

“I never knew one could love an animal so deeply. She brings so much happiness to my life."

Click the link in our bio to read this sweet tale, and thanks to @vbspca for another purr-fect match together!

#adoptasheltercat #loneliness #femaleveteran #marinecorps #beapetshero #petsforpatriots #youarenotalone
Cornelia was born and raised in France and her hus Cornelia was born and raised in France and her husband Ed in Belgium. Yet both served their adopted nation - Ed in the Navy and Cornelia in the Army. The pair met in New Jersey and married on Veterans Day more than 20 years ago.

These days the couple lives in an assisted living facility and, sadly, Ed's health is such that he's not always able to interact with Cornelia. She grew lonely and wanted nothing more than a little dog to love.

After months of searching, mission accomplished! Thanks to our partners @ywacpets for going the extra mile to help Cornelia find the perfect match:

"She's exactly what I needed and wanted.  She's 9 pounds of love.  She kisses me on the mouth and then turns on her back placing her neck over my mouth so I can kiss her and tell her I love her.  She sleeps with me and is being spoiled rotten by all the employees at the facility, directors on down." ~ Cornelia, US Army veteran ❤️

#armystrong #femaleveteran #adoptashelterpet #loverescuedme #petsforpatriots
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