Pets & Vets understand that veterans at all stages of their military careers struggle with emotional and physical issues…

Whether they are suffering from a disability or PTSD, a companion pet is often the right prescription to help heal. The impact these animals have on the lives of our vets is undeniable. Source

SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION – 

There is a theory, that –

any person on the planet can be connected to any other person in the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries. 

– fascinating – truly!

Second year med students from the College of Health Professionals reached out to me looking for a therapy dog. They were presenting/defending the “Effectiveness of Canine Assisted Therapy in Patients with PTSD.”

They were requesting a dog to participate in their presentation.

Jaxson was the Doodle for the job…

Blown away with the information they shared is an understatement. The presentation was fascinating!

Days later, Jack Tillman (one of the students) presented me with their poster as a “thank you” for Jaxson when I noticed his paracord bracelet…

Research on PTSD is how he stumbled onto the I❤️dogs website and found their Pets & Vets page…

Funds totaling $237K for companion dogs has been raised partnering with an organization called GreaterGood.org 

PETS & VETS 20% OF SALES ARE DONATED – 

Jack explained – when people purchase one of these bracelets it helps pair Veterans with shelter or rescue dogs. Those dogs who are the most overlooked for adoption and face the greatest risk of euthanasia.

I ordered mine the following day…

Camp Paracord Bronze Flag Bracelet was my choice  because the proceeds from this bracelet helps pair veterans with a companion dog…

It’s a fashionable useful product. If you find yourself in a bind, this bracelet can be unravelled and the extra durable paracord material can be used for a tie down or even a temporary emergency dog leash! 

So far, I’ve been stopped and questioned about it (As I did with Jack) multiple times a day. 

K-9’s FOR WARRIORS – 

An organization located in Florida, has been pairing rescue dogs with traumatized soldiers since 2011. The dogs are trained to be service dogs, specifically performing tasks to quiet the symptoms of war trauma disabilities in soldiers.  “They take shelter or rescue dogs and turn them into warriors” says, Shari Duval – founder of K9’s for Warriors.

Both Shari and her son Brett Simon – President of K9’s for Warriors – are doing outstanding work and I encourage you to read more about them and all they do – right here.

Thanks to Jack and his email, I have been connected to two wonderful organizations doing outstanding work for Vets & Pets.

Thanks to my friend Scott and Consumersadvocate.org – I’ve learned more about K-9’s for Vets from the inspiring stories a few of the Vets personally share.

Doodle Dad is a Veteran, served more than 25 years in the Infantry. We are blessed beyond measure he was not injured while on active duty. These two encounters (six degrees) have awakened my spirit to help in some way. With two therapy doodles in my life, I am curious what the Boys and I can do to improve the lives of other veterans and their families.

A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal ❤️