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Vet Friends Foundation

A Blind And Deaf Dog Inspires Navy Veteran To Pair Scores Of Recovering Veterans With Unwanted Shelter Pups

In this story we are showcasing the great work provided by Vet Friends Foundation in partnering homeless dogs with American military war veterans providing both the dog and the veteran with companionship and love.

Lepale (CC0), Pixabay

Many American war veterans live on their own far from their families and friends. Often, this lack of connection makes them lonely and isolated. Moreover, some veterans have difficulties with their social interactions because they have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Vet Friends Foundations is a veteran-run nonprofit based in Detroit that pairs ex-service members suffering from PTSD, loneliness, and isolation with senior dogs in need of care. The organization rescues older dogs from overcrowded shelters where they often face a high risk of euthanasia. 

Joel Rockey, a navy veteran, founded the foundation after a five-year deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. On returning home from his tour of duty, Rockey wanted to get involved in something close to his heart.

He found his calling by chance. He came across an old abandon blind and deaf dog with severe injuries during a freezing snowstorm. Rockey decided to take it home and nursed it back to health.  

The dog had only a few more months to live, but Rocky decided to shower it with love and attention in its last days. It made him realize that senior dogs needed a caring home. How long they still had to live did not matter; what was important was that they receive excellent care in their last moments.

Idea Leads to Action

This idea motivated him to start the organization to give a helping hand to isolated veterans and senior shelter dogs. The vets need companionship while the dogs need caring homes. Older dogs are laid-back, calm, and relaxed, which makes them great pets for veterans. 

The foundation covers the adopted dog’s medical bills for the rest of its life. To give a sense of connection and purpose for war veterans, Vet Friends Foundations is expanding its mission in California, Ohio, and Missouri.

You can visit Vet Friends Foundation HERE

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