Blog the Change: Pets for Patriots

by | Saturday | January 15, 2011 | 7 comments

Pets are good for the soul. We all know that. They can help reduce stress, give you a shoulder to lean on, and never interrupt you when you are sharing a story.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of getting to know Beth Zimmerman, founder of Pets For Patriots. She envisioned Pets for Patriots as a way to unite two important needs: helping veterans enjoy the joys of pet ownership and helping harder to place pets find loving homes.

Pets for Patriots helps unite service members and veterans with adult shelter pets in need of homes. Member shelters assist with placement of pets, and member veterinarians offer  a discount on medical services for the life of the pets. It’s a win for the family and a win for the pet!

How you can help:

Well, there are lots of ways to help, but the main one I’d like to ask your help with today is increasing awareness of Pets for Patriots among the veterinary community.

When a new patriot signs up for the program, which is open nationwide, the Pets for Patriots organization needs to find a veterinarian in their area ready to participate. As a new organization, that network is still under construction.

I know many of you have veterinarians you’ve worked with for years and have a good relationship with. Let them know about the program, would ya? The website is www.petsforpatriots.org and veterinarians can apply online. It’s easy, fast, and a great way for our profession to give back to those who do so much for the country.

Filed: Be The Change, Daily Life Tagged:
  • http://browndogcbr.blogspot.com/ Hawk aka BrownDog

    Hi Y’all,

    Been followin’ the news on “Pets for Patriots”. You bring to the talk the need for Vets to participate; in the back of my mind, I know vets help with the homeless animals, but never thought about the need for vets to volunteer specifically for “Pets for Patriots”.

    Thanks for the “heads up”.
    Hawk aka BrownDog’s Momma

  • Kathy, RVT

    Sending the info to my boss and office manager; I think this is somewhere we want to help, in addition to helping the rescues and shelters

  • http://www.petsforpatriots.org Dustin the Wonderdog

    Thanks, Dr. V., for bringing attention to our cause. With the help of your veterinary pals, I know we can help more veterans afford to keep their new pet friends.

    Four-paw salute to you!!

    Dustin the Wonderdog
    Guardian Angel Dog of Pets for Patriots
    “Friend” me on Facebook (Dustin Wonderdog)

  • http://cindylusmuse.blogspot.com CindyLu

    Thanks, Dr. V for bringing awareness to the need for vets with this program – I at least would have had no idea! It’s a super program, you betcha our vets will be hearing from us!

  • http://rescuedinsanity.com Kristine

    Thanks for writing about this program. It sounds like an awesome one, pairing dogs and people who need each other. I wonder if there is something like this in Canada as well.

  • http://istillwantmorepuppies.blogspot.com/ Pup Fan

    This program sounds amazing!

  • http://www.gotspots.wordpress.com Monica

    Lovely program. My husband is a vet and once we get into a house that allows for more doggage (haha) I really would like to look into Pet for Patriots.