#LoveInAction Veterans adopting older and hard to adopt dogs from shelters

Blind, Deaf Dog Inspires Man to Pair Dozens of Recovering Veterans With Hard-to-Adopt Shelter Pups

Good News Network
By Dobi Finley
Dec 21, 2019

This veteran-run nonprofit has been pairing ex-service members suffering from isolation and PTSD with senior dogs rescued from overcrowded shelters where they could potentially be euthanized.

Because many veterans live alone without family or friends nearby, they can often become isolated and lonely from the lack of connection. As some veterans also suffer with post traumatic stress disorder, their social interactions can also become difficult.

That’s when the Vet Friends Foundation can step in with a helping hand. The organization delivers companionship to both the vets and the senior shelter dogs who need caring homes to live out the rest of their lives.

Joel Rockey, the Foundation’s founder, says that he came up with the idea for the organization after spending five years in the Navy in Iraq and Afghanistan. When Rockey returned home from his deployment, he wanted to focus on something he felt truly passionate about.
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Woodworker working to join Vets with pets

Man's love of woodworking aids vets group, animal shelter

WFTV 9 ABC News
Nahan Cobb
Northwest Florida Daily News
February 18, 2019

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - An any given day, you might find Dennis Wise crafting wood in his garage. Wise then sells his creations - from bat houses to refrigerator magnets - through his nonprofit, Pets and the Vets, with proceeds split between Paws for Purple Hearts and a DeFuniak Springs animal shelter.

"I take care of who I can, when we can," he said, and added 100 percent of profits are donated. "The more sales we get, the more people we can help."

Wise sees bringing together veterans with shelter animals as a win-win proposition. He said there is strong evidence that shows owning a pet reduces post-traumatic stress disorder.

The shelter animals benefit too.

"If the dog (or cat) goes home with the vet, he's now in a home (and) everybody loves him," he said.

His wooden creations include bat houses, bee traps, bookends, superhero and military plaques, and flip-flop magnets.

Prices for Wise's wooden artwork range from $1.75 to $12. He also accepts requests and will personalize items.

Wise is retired from the Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol and also worked as a public information officer for the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

He said his patriotism runs deep, along with his love for animals.
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