Paws of War Hopes to Reunite 21 Pets with the Brave Service People Who Adopted Them
Paws of War is a a nonprofit organization that "assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and provides companion animals to veterans and first responders" that now wants to pull off one of their biggest rescue missions ever, by reuniting 21 pets with the brave men and women of our armed forces who adopted them while overseas.
Paws of War posted the call to action on Facebook on April 14.
Paws of War posted, in part, "Our Paws of War team is actively working on its largest rescue mission to date. We are asking for people in the community to back us up with support to ensure the rescue is successful. This relocation mission involves 18 dogs and 3 cats adopted by U.S. Army National Guard members stationed in a hostile area of Eastern Europe. They were born late last year on a base in an area where conditions are harsh, and surviving on their own would not have been possible. These dogs and cats bonded with soldiers who considered them family."
Related: Military Sergeant Has Touching Reunion with Dog He Served With
This rescue mission is complicated because not only do the dogs and three cats have to be relocated to America, they also require vaccines, veterinary care, and rehabilitation.
According to the Paws of War website, through the War Torn Pups and Cats Program, more than 600 dogs and cats have made it to the safety of the U.S., and are loyal companions to their heroic service member in their forever homes.
How Pet Ownership Benefits Veterans
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Having a dog or cat can help people lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels. Pets keep us active by walking them or playing with them. The emotional impacts of pet ownership include fewer feelings of loneliness and depression, and pets give us unconditional love and support.
These benefits may be even more important in helping veterans, who may struggle with PTSD or feelings of isolation. Pride and Groom explains, "By demanding attention and affection, companion pets and service animals force their guardians to focus on the animal’s needs, displacing behaviors where people dwell on their own circumstances and problems. A pet’s needs demand action, whether it is to be fed, groomed or out for daily walks – and these demands and their urgent needs (ex: “pet me now”) help veterans coping with psychological trauma regain a sense of purpose, confidence and optimism in their lives."
Our veterans deserve to be with the animals they fell in love with and care for while they were serving overseas.
If you would like to make a donation to Paws of War's largest rescue mission ever can do so by clicking here. What a wonderful thing they are trying to do with the brave men and women who have worked so hard to protect our freedoms. Hopefully they will all be reunited with their pets soon.
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