Adopted Retriever mix fetches a Navy nurse

Kaitlin and Cooper

It was an adopted adult Retriever mix with "puppy dog" eyes that helped one Navy nurse feel more at home with her new life in the military. Kaitlin serves in the Navy out of Portsmouth, Virginia and is the proud "mom" of honorably adopted Cooper, an enthusiastic and loving six year-old Retriever mix. A recent college graduate, Kaitlin joined the Navy after completing her schooling in May of 2012. She currently works as a nurse at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth and “loves every minute of it.” While she finds it hard to think of one specific event as her most memorable in Continue reading …

Each suffering a loss, Navy man and shelter dog find each other

Chris and Sophie

Chris currently serves in the Navy and tells how his recent Pets for Patriots adoption of a surrendered shelter dog changed his life after suffering the loss of his beloved senior dog. He is writing to our executive director, Beth Zimmerman. Hi Beth,  Here is our picture from the day I picked Sophie up.  My first dog, Samantha, was with me for 12 years. I adopted her as an Ensign and she's been with me no matter where I was stationed in the world. She was in Norfolk with me for 9 years, then in San Diego for one-and-a-half years, one year in Bahrain, six months in Monterey, and then 15 Continue reading …

OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD and companion pets needed for study

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A study through Walden University is looking for OEF/OIF veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are willing to participate in a study of the human-animal bond. Pets for Patriots is honored to assist in this effort as part of our mission to foster a bond between at-risk shelter animals and United States military veterans. Our sole involvement is helping to make people aware of this study.  Study goals The purpose of the study is to explore the experiences of the human-animal bond in a sample of U.S. Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom military members with Continue reading …

The PCS-ing cat and dog: part 2

PCS-ing cat and dog part 2

By Dr. Rebecca Jackson, DVM  In the previous post about the PCS-ing cat and dog, we looked at what all pets need to successfully relocate overseas. In this one, we will look at what only some pets will need.  Some pets will need: A FAVN blood test An import form (varies by country) Flea and tick preventative applied at the time of health certification Dewormer given at the time of health certification FAVN blood test Some countries require your pet have a FAVN blood test prior to entry to check their rabies antibody levels. Now here is the tricky part: each country has different Continue reading …

The PCS-ing cat and dog: part 1

PCS and your pet part 1

By Dr. Rebecca Jackson, DVM When a United States Armed Forces service member receives a Permanent Change of Station order, there also comes an unwritten list of “things to do prior to moving.” There is outprocessing, organizing the move, preparing the family, saying your good-byes … the list goes on and on. And, of course, don’t forget your pets!  These days, the regulations involved in moving or traveling with the family pet overseas are becoming more complex. Relocating can be incredibly stressful for both you and your pet, but don’t worry: this article and its sequel will help Continue reading …

The nose knows: how detector dogs work

ag sniffing beagle

It's all in the nose for detector dogs, but how they work and why they're so good at it are essential to the military, transportation and other sectors that must defend against unseen threats. Dogs, like humans, have an areas of the brain that processes all kinds of sensory input - sights, sounds, smells - but their noses are longer and more spacious, making them masters at inhaling odors. They have between 20 and 40 times more odor receptors in their snouts than people, which means that in most cases they can detect an odor at much lower concentrations than humans.  Detection dogs, Continue reading …

Pets for Patriots 9/11 Challenge

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Pets for Patriots is laying down the gauntlet with our first 9/11 Challenge: for 2,000 people to pledge $11 a month to support our troops and the influx of post-9/11 veterans entering our charitable program. More 9/11 veterans need a four-legged buddy Mario is a three-tour Iraq war veteran. After graduating high school in the wake of September 11th, he joined the Army because, in his own words, "I definitely wanted to do something and be a part of the military." During his third tour, he nearly died and was medically retired. Lost and depressed, Mario turned to Pets for Patriots for help Continue reading …

Anchors away for Navy couple and rescued pitbull

Wes, Vic and Bowser

It's anchors away for a Navy husband-and-wife team and their rescued pitbull, Bowser.  Wes is a public affairs officer with the Navy reserves and his wife, Victoria - who goes by Vic - a Navy nurse. Shortly after celebrating their first wedding anniversary and with the prospect of children many years down the road, the couple decided to adopt a dog because they "wanted a companion to love and to love us back."  From Texas to Virginia, with love Both Wes and Vic came from Texas, but that's about the only similarity in their nascent military careers. Wes was commissioned from the University Continue reading …

The military working dog: America’s four-legged warrior

U.S. Air Force. Senior Airman Elizabeth Rissmiller.

The military working dog has long been part of America's fighting forces, though recent events have brought renewed public attention to these highly trained canines. This month marks the one year anniversary of SEAL Team Six’s raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. Perhaps no single member of the elite commando team has generated more fascination than Cairo, a military working dog who accompanied the SEALs on this mission. A proud legacy of service For nearly a century, America’s military has put canines to work. During World War I, German and France trained an Continue reading …

Teen gives all for veterans and pets

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 Continue reading …

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