Member Log In

Pets for Patriots

Companion pet adoption for United States military veterans and service members

  • Adopt a pet
    • How it works
    • Veteran benefits
    • Program availability
    • Proof of service
    • Eligible pets
    • Pre-qual application
  • Be a veterinary partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Be a shelter partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Eligible pets
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Donate Now
    • Donate online
    • Ways to give
    • Spread the word
  • More
    • About us
      • Vision
      • Mission
      • Our team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial accountability
      • Year in review
      • Program availability
    • Making an impact
      • Forget Me Not
      • The Wet Nose Blog
      • Partner News
      • Donor News
      • Home at last
      • Welcome Home
      • Hotel to Home
    • Friends & Partners
      • Veterinarian partners
      • Shelter partners
      • Sponsors
      • Banfield
      • VIP Petcare
      • Community partners
    • Resources
      • Donor FAQ
      • Veteran FAQ
      • Shelter FAQ
      • Veterinarian FAQ
      • Other resources
    • Connect with us
      • In the news
      • Free wallpaper
      • Contact us
Wet Nose Blog
Home › Extra › Teen gives all for veterans and pets

Teen gives all for veterans and pets

April 3, 2012Extra

Shelter drive

One San Diego teen is taking the idea of service to heart by making life better veterans, military personnel and homeless pets in her community.

Gabi Mark joined Pets for Patriots as a youth volunteer and has since touched countless lives by reaching out to veterans and shelter animals across San Diego County. After joining our cause in the fall, Gabi has accomplished three major projects towards her goal of devoting 100 hours to charity this year. A junior at Hilltop High School in Chula Vista, leader of her local Girls’ League service organization and member of the girls’ basketball team, Gabi makes making time for others a priority in her life in spite of her busy schedule.

A homemade touch for Veterans’ Day

Veterans’ Day was just around the corner when Gabi joined our cause. I quickly learned that she’s a natural leader: as soon as we decided that her first project would be delivering cards to injured veterans, Gabi created beautiful design prototypes and purchased all of the supplies needed to make nearly 200 cards. She presented the idea to her Girls’ League and, over the course of a few afternoons, led a group of more than two dozen to craft and personally sign every card.

SD parade
2011 San Diego Veterans’ Day Parade (Gabi 5th from right)

While the original idea to present them to hospitalized veterans met with some logistical challenges, Gabi was undeterred: she decided to present cards to veterans at the San Diego Veterans Day parade. Even better, she thought, the group would march and represent Pets for Patriots, too. Never mind that the parade was just days away!

The calendar and the clock were not in Gabi’s favor, but at the proverbial eleventh hour and after submitting an application to the parade committee, Gabi got word that the girls could march. With little time to spare she created a homemade banner and got American flags for her team. “Gabi and the girls,” as I’ve come to call them, joined the parade – but not before they thanked and presented cards to about 50 veterans they met while waiting to march. After she got home, Gabi instant messaged (IM) me with her trademark exuberance:

“Meeting all of the veterans was such an amazing experience!”

Of cookies, cakes and cards

The excitement of joining the parade and speaking with so many veterans only energized Gabi more. She set her sights again on visiting hospitalized veterans, figuring that not only could they use some good cheer, but suspecting some might not have family or friends close by to visit during the upcoming holidays. Due to the girls’ academic and athletic commitments, only a late afternoon or weekend visit would work. Another San Diego-based Pets for Patriots volunteer stepped in to make it happen: Bill Tyrrell.

Bill is a Pets for Patriots military outreach volunteer and United States Navy EOD (End of Duty) Master Chief (retired). He travels extensively for his job giving closure and comfort to military families all over the country, but as luck would have it he was in San Diego around the holidays. Moved by Gabi’s sincerity and spirit, he arranged to have the group visit Balboa Naval Hospital shortly before Christmas.

Gabi wanted to do more, so Bill arranged another visit to Balboa between Christmas and New Years. To deliver the full holiday spirit, Gabi and her team started baking, making sure to include what she learned was one of the veterans’ favorites: banana bread. The menu was rounded out with chocolate toffee oatmeal cookies, sugar cookies and five layer bars, with enough for the veterans in base housing as well as those in the hospital ward. And for this visit, the team was joined by Scotty Smith, another Pets for Patriots volunteer and Korean war Air Force veteran. Scotty never passes up an opportunity to uplift his brothers – or sisters – in arms, and often brings his own unique brand of cheer in the form of his little dog, Max. For this visit, though, Max would have to wait outside.

Balboa Christmas visit
Bringing cheer to veterans at Balboa Naval Hospital (Gabi 2nd and Bill 4th from right, respectively)

“This trip was definitely a life changing experience I will never forget,” says Gabi. “It was so humbling to thank our wounded warriors, and saddening to see how young most of them are…I am always humbled by these veterans who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.”

Llamas and horses and cats, oh my!

As deeply as she cares for other people, Gabi loves animals as well. Her dream is to become a veterinarian and it seemed fitting to add an animal-related project to her growing roster of service. Once again she mobilized the Girls’ League, which is always looking for ways to help their community and fresh new ways to give back. They were excited about the prospect of helping the animals at nearby Pets for Patriots adoption partner, County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. A two-week donation drive at their high school netted 16 boxes of much-needed supplies, including towels, blankets, leashes, toys and collars. Gabi went a step farther and solicited gift-in-kind and monetary donations from local pet supply stores, and in so doing helped spread the word about Pets for Patriots and the plight of homeless animals across San Diego.

“I am honored to be able to serve and give back to my community,” says Gabi with her trademark humility and grace. “It felt amazing to give!!”

Gabi and the girls presented their donation to the county on March 28 and received an extensive tour of the shelter. They were surprised to learn of the variety of animals there, including horses, llamas, sheep and goats – as well as the usual cats and dogs, of course.

“I can now tell the difference between a sheep and a goat,” says Gabi, “it is all about the tails.”

Shelter drive
Not just dog and cats; horses, too! (Gabi second from left)

Next steps for our girl wonder

In 2013 Gabi will graduate high school and head to college, where she’ll begin her studies to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian. It will be bittersweet when the day inevitably comes to pass that Gabi no longer has time to volunteer with us, and I’ll miss her poise, leadership and compassion that are so far beyond her years. My hopes are that she’ll return to us at some point in the future and, at the least, ask me to write a recommendation letter for college. Then again, perhaps I already have.

~ Beth Zimmerman, founder + executive director

 

 

PreviousNext

One Comment

  1. Hairless Cat says:
    December 5, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    Hi P4P,

    Wow, Gabi and her crew are amazing.

    That is very impressive and entirely admirable.

    I like to see that in a person – especially a young person. To be driven to help others from a young age and to be able to be effective is unusually good.

    That was very good-hearted for her to help out and I’m glad she plans on studying veterinarian medicine. She’ll make a great vet.

    I’m glad P4P was there to give her a chance to be charitable and helpful in such a good way.

    Sounds like she’s destined for greatness and has already started down the path.

    =^-^= Hairless Cat Girl =^-^=

Comments are closed.

Join the Conversation

  • Cat tales
  • Dog tales
  • Hope for a home
  • Mental health
  • Extra
  • Pet training & health
  • Donor News


Give with Confidence

logo logo logo logo
Make a donation today
email-icon

Did you enjoy this story?
Don’t miss the next one.

Sign up for our newsletter and get stories like these directly in your inbox.


The Dodo and GEICO honor Pets for Patriots adoptions by sharing their heartwarming tales

WATCH THE VIDEOS

Petco Foundation

PetMeds Logo 300x250

Shop 1800PetMeds for all of your pet’s health needs and we’ll get 10% of your purchase!

Shop Bissell Today!

Shop BISSELL for your home cleaning needs and they will donate 10% of your purchase to us!

Join the Conversation

Stay Connected

Join the conversation, read recent adoption stories, view featured pets needing new homes and more.

Twitter

@petsforpatriots

Follow Us

Instagram

@petsforpatriots

Senior pets are among those most overlooked at she Senior pets are among those most overlooked at shelters. But one old dog is living proof that mature pets can breathe new life into their adopted homes.

Click the link in our bio to read the inspiring story of Chuck, a retired Coastie, and his 10 year-old bud Wayne!

Thank you @fairfieldcodog for this amazing match and waiving adoption fees for veterans we serve.

#coastguard #coastguardveterans #coastie #uscg #milspouse #militaryspouse #petsforvets #olddogs #olddogsrule #adoptaseniordog #weratedogs
Lance enlisted in the Marines in 2016 and ever sin Lance enlisted in the Marines in 2016 and ever since he separated from service he longed for the companionship of a rescue dog. 

The Marine Corps veteran met Marty, an adult Pittie mix, through @bmorehumane, which waives fees for veterans in our program.

In a 'freedom ride' message Lance shared with us he introduced Marty as his son - and we wish this new dog dad many happy years together with his new boy!!

#usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #marinecorpsveteran #devildog #pibble #dontbullymybreed #dontbullymybully #loveabully #adoptdontshop #petsforvets
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!

#adoptdontshop #endpuppymills #animalcruelty #animalcrueltyawareness #adoptionistheonlyoption #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat #adoptashelterpet #rescueismyfavoritebreed
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.

Can't adopt? Share til it hurts!!

Click the link in our bio to meet them all.

#forgetmenot #weratedogs #weratecats #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat #cutedogs #cutedogsofinstagram #cutecats
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!

#army #armyveteran #milspouse #militaryspouse #ptsd #ptsdrecovery #ptsdawareness #anxiety #anxietyawareness #gulfwar #gulfwarveteran #petsforvets #houndsofinstagram #cutedogs #weratedogs #yourarenotalone
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!

#canecorsoofinstagram #canecorso #bigdogs #bigdogsofinstagram #bigdogstrong #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #weratedogs #navyveteran #navy #usn #usnavy #norfolkva
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
Follow Us

© 2023 Pets for Patriots, Inc. | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Contact us

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.