Petco Love Celebrates Shelter Pets Transformed into 'Helping Heroes' this Veterans Day

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Nov 09, 2023, 06:03 ET

$1M in Grants from the National Nonprofit Power Organizations and Pets Who Assist Veterans

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pets change lives. Petco Love knows there is an overwhelming demand for trained service and companion dogs to support our nation's veterans. Ahead of this Veterans Day, the national nonprofit organization announces more than $1M in grants for 60+ service, therapy, and working animal organizations that take pets from shelters and transform them into heroes.

Airborne Infantryman, Erick, teamed up with Petco Love’s Helping Heroes grant recipient “Faithfully K9” on training his dog, Chispa, to help him cope with PTSD symptoms, and is amazed how his service dog changed his life.

As part of its Helping Heroes initiative, since 2009, Petco Love's investment of more than $17 million bolsters efforts to train and support pets who dedicate their lives to saving and improving the lives of others, as well as support to help military and contract working dogs retire at home.

Faithfully K9, a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to assisting disabled individuals, is a Helping Heroes grant recipient. The organization greatly impacted the life of Airborne Infantryman, Erick. "I was like many veterans and first responders: diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. After enduring traumatic events, I felt the outside world was very scary," said Erick. After months of working with Faithfully K9 on training his dog, Chispa, to help him cope with his triggers and symptoms, Erick is amazed how his service dog changed his life. "I have been re-energized. Having Chispa has given me the confidence to go and challenge myself to enjoy public or crowded places. Chispa is not only a service dog for me, he's also my voice to advocate for my needs and experiences."

"Suicide rates for military Veterans are at a record high. Studies have shown that Veterans with service dogs exhibited significant improvements in well-being, including significantly lowering PTSD symptomology, depression, and anxiety," said Petco Love President, Susanne Kogut. "Petco Love is honored to support our nation's veterans by investing in training service dogs who often serve as their lifelines."

A selection of organizations receiving Helping Heroes investments include:

Faithfully K9 Service Dog and Dog Training: Supports individuals with mobility issues, PTSD, or hearing issues to train their dog to become their service dog. If they do not already have a dog, they assist in finding a dog, first through rescues. Located in Conifer, Colorado.
Pets for Patriots: Its companion pet adoption program helps U.S. military veterans adopt shelter dogs and cats. Provides ongoing support to nurture the healing bonds between veterans and their adopted pets. Located in Long Beach, NY.
Dog Tag Buddies: Focuses on helping veterans live more fulfilling lives through training and building relationships with their service dogs. Located in Billings, Montana.
Soldiers Best Friend: Provides U.S. military veterans living with combat-related PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury with service or therapeutic companion dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. Located in Peoria, Arizona.

Visit Petco Love to learn more about Petco Love's lifesaving impact spanning more than two decades and follow along on social media @PetcoLove.

About Petco Love
Petco Love is a life-changing nonprofit organization that makes communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since our founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, we've empowered animal welfare organizations by investing $370 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. We've helped find loving homes for more than 6.7 million pets in partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide.

Our love for pets drives us to lead with innovation, creating tools animal lovers need to reunite lost pets, and lead with passion, inspiring and mobilizing communities and our more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change alongside us. Join us. Visit Petco Love or follow on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn to be part of the lifesaving work we lead every day.

Media Contact:
Crystal Bugary, Petco Love
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco Love