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 › Hope for a home › The true meaning of partnership

The true meaning of partnership

May 15, 2012Hope for a home, Extra

Edward

Last week we had the opportunity to experience the true meaning of partnership with an act of such generosity that we feel compelled to share it.

Edward’s not-so-excellent adventure

Despite the best efforts of many parties involved, a shelter dog who was trained for service and donated by inmates in a restorative justice program in Missouri turned out to be a less-than-perfect fit for one of our veterans. Edward was a once-homeless dog who, while in the care of the The Animal Shelter of Texas County (TASTC) in Houston, Missouri, entered their Healing Paws program – a collaboration with the state’s innovative efforts to train shelter pets throughout their prison system. He was flown to Arizona for what everyone hoped would be a productive and fulfilling life as a service dog for a disabled veteran. Edward

By Friday, May 11 it was clear that the veteran and Edward would part ways. For perfectly legitimate reasons the veteran was unable to foster Edward while we worked with TASTC to rehome the dog responsibly. We had little time to get Edward someplace safe where we could work on a plan.

University Animal Hospital saves the day…and the dog

We called the hospital manager at University Animal Hospital in Tempe, our local veterinary partner. As part of our program, they offer an ongoing 10% discount to veterans and service members in our program who adopt and eligible dog or cat from our area shelter partners. The hospital has been in the Tempe community for 50 years and we asked if they would help us find an individual or organization that would be great for Edward. They did better. UAH reception

Without hesitation, University Animal Hospital offered to board Edward free of charge – to give him the security and space he needed while we searched for a forever home. As if that were not enough, they promised to network Edward among their considerable contacts within the community, amplifying our efforts to get him one step closer to a new family.

This is the true meaning of a partner. It’s not about the words; it’s about the deeds.

Friends across the miles

Our window of opportunity to help Edward was small and we aimed to have more than one potential plan in place, not knowing at the time which would work and which would fall through. With that in mind we contacted Canines With a Cause (CWAC) in Salt Lake City. Through their innovative train-the-trainer program, they have placed several rescued dogs with veterans in our program. We knew they acquired most of their animals from kill shelters – even in other states – and called to see if they could help.

Their director was very interested in an already trained service dog since many of the veterans who adopt through CWAC need service animals. Immediately, CWAC put out calls to their volunteer transport network to organize a possible ‘road trip’ for Edward from Arizona to Utah.

Edward finds a new ‘best friend’

Not long after contacting CWAC, we received a call from Soldier’s Best Friend in Arizona; they had been referred to us by University Animal Hospital. The not-for-profit organization trains service dogs for disabled veterans and was interested to meet Edward. We spoke at length about our mutual interests to get Edward into a home setting where he could decompress and de-stress, and ultimately be evaluated for their program. TASTC was on board with the plan; now we just had to get Edward to neutral territory.

The veteran’s wife dropped Edward off at University Animal Hospital on the morning of May 12, with all of his records, training instructions and – of course! – his toys, including several they purchased for their older dog, but that Edward “adopted” as his own. The hospital donated his Bordatella shot, noticing that he was slightly overdue.

Edward then became perhaps the shortest-term kennel resident ever.

We contacted Soldier’s Best Friend to let them know that Edward was available for evaluation. Within an hour, Edward was picked up from University Animal Hospital and on his way to a foster home, where he’ll spend the next few weeks adjusting to a home setting. His foster mother is a wheelchair user with her own service dog, trained through Soldier’s Best Friend, who will help Edward achieve his ultimate potential: to serve a disabled veteran.

None of this would have been possible if University Animal Hospital had not offered to give Edward a safe haven, no less for free. Their generosity instantly provided the stability, safety and time for all of us to develop a plan for Edward that was in his best interests. We’re certain that if he could talk he would thank his friends at the hospital, but since he can’t, we will: thank you, University Animal Hospital, for demonstrating the true meaning of partnership.

P.S. Edward is doing well! At his first-ever visit to a dog park, after about 45 minutes of sticking to himself, he discovered he could run. As his foster mother said, “Pure delight on paws…he just ran like he’d never dreamed such a thing existed.”

PreviousNext

6 comments

  1. Hairless Cat says:
    December 2, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Hi P4P,

    Glad you and the University Animal Hospital are there for the animals.

    Love the PS – that he discovered running for the first time and delighted in it.

    It’s nice to have a true partnership – one that actually walks the walk.

    Good luck to Edward and good story,

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

  2. Sharon sherman says:
    May 16, 2012 at 10:36 am

    Wow! You all are amazing people!!!

    Thank god for people like you…. Giving back in such a tremendous way!

    Best,

    Sharon sherman

    1. Pets for Patriots says:
      May 16, 2012 at 12:20 pm

      Thank you, Sharon; we appreciate your kind words!

  3. Lou Ann Remeikis says:
    May 16, 2012 at 1:47 am

    How typical of Dr Gus & his staff. Considering Edward’s situation, it does not surprize me to see UVH step up with their usual compassion to help this special guy. They keep proving, by example, why they will never lose my faith and patronage!

    1. Pets for Patriots says:
      May 16, 2012 at 12:20 pm

      Lou Ann, we couldn’t be happier to have them as our partners and are glad to hear that you’ve had such great experiences with them, too.

      1. Eden Cross says:
        May 28, 2012 at 10:05 pm

        I”m so excited to hear about all of these wonderful groups of human beings helping animals and humans…it’s heartwarming for us all and so terrifically helpful to all who need the healing power of animals in their lives!! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart, as a fellow human being who is constantly striving to help all that I can!!

        Eden Cross, Animal Communicator

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.