Unless you’ve been in war, you can never know it’s horrors. Unless you’ve had a pet that loves you, you can never know their magical healing powers of unconditional love.

Not all scars of war can be seen with the eye, but the effects of a violent environment or even the stress of being in a foreign land while answering the call of your country can haunt those who serve with crippling mental assaults day and night.

Statistics show an average of 20 veterans a day die from suicide. Animals can help those suffering from PTSD and those who are just adjusting their return to the world.

 

The Cheyenne Animal Shelter has partnered with Pets for Patriots, Inc., a nonprofit that saves the lives of people and pets through companion pet adoption for United States military veterans.

Pets for Patriots is free to veterans, though they are responsible for the Shelter’s adoption fee. But the charity helps with 50% off on the adoption, a 10% military discount in the store, and sends a $150 gift card to help with food and other essentials, and provides access to local veterinary partners who agree to offer ongoing discounted care.

With each animal costing about $50 per day, The Cheyenne Animal Shelter quickly saw the potential to find hard-to-adopt cats and dogs permanent homes with service members. They place about 3,000 pets per year with this program.

It’s a great way of preventing animals from being permanent residents, It helps the shelter, the animals and it helps the veterans who have served our country. What a great program.

Veterans in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Veteran in crisis, can call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support at 800-273-8255 or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text to 838255.

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