Stray Haven accepted as Pets for Vets organization

Stray Haven accepted as Pets for Vets organization

Stray Haven accepted as Pets for Vets organizationStray Haven recently announced that they were accepted as the fifth National Shelter Chapter for the Pets for Vets organization on July 13, 2015. This designation will allow the local group to work with area veterans to match them with companion animals.

The Pets for Vets program is dedicated to supporting veterans and providing a second chance for shelter pets by rescuing, training, and pairing them with America’s veterans who could benefit from a companion animal.

With three to four million dogs and cats euthanized each year, it is the hopes of the organization, both nationally and locally that lives can be saved, and that veterans are matched with a loving pet.

For the program, animal trainers will evaluate and rescue the shelter animals and provide additional training to ensure that they are able to assimilate into a home, which is quite different from a shelter environment.

Sadly, there are alarming statistics of suicide, family abuse and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder facing veterans returning to civilian life after military duty. This can cause a downward spiral of apathy, unemployment, broken relationships, addiction and depression. It is the belief of the Pets for Vets organization that companion animals can be the life saving therapy or friend that many returning service men and women need.

The Stray Haven Chapter will officially be known as the Pets For Vets – NY/PA Twin Tiers Chapter. This newly established Chapter will support veterans in the Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.

To be eligible, a veteran need only be a U.S. Service Veteran; they need not have served during a time of conflict. To learn more, contact Stray Haven by calling (607) 565-2859 or by contact the group by email to twintiers-ny@petsforvets.com.

Donations are needed to fund this program, and they can be mailed to Stray Haven Humane Society, 194 Shepard Rd., Waverly, N.Y. 14892; be sure to write “Pets For Vets” on the memo line, or visit www.strayhavenhumanesociety.com and click on the “donate” button.

If you want to learn more about the program, a local Pets for Vets Ambassador will be at the upcoming Lee Greenwood concert at Tioga Downs in which the Southern Tier Veterans Support Group will be a recipient of those concert funds.

The Ambassador, Barb Boncek, will be available to discuss this program with veterans, and a donation jug nearby will signify the local organization’s first fundraising effort.

The Lee Greenwood concert is scheduled for Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. All proceeds from the concert benefit the STVSG. Tickets for the show, at a cost of $15, can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets or at the Tioga Downs Gift Shop.