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Pets For Vets

By Jonathan A. Segal
November 18, 2014
The Legal Intelligencer

Pets For Vets

By Jonathan A. Segal
November 18, 2014
The Legal Intelligencer

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Jonathan SegalWe owe so much to the men and women who have fought for our country. In addition to the many who have died, many others come home with physical and emotional disabilities. It is estimated that up to 20% return with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We hear a lot of talk about helping our vets. But, candidly, talk is cheap. What we need is action and that brings me to Clarissa Black.

Clarissa Black is the founder and Executive Director of Pets for Vets. The goal of Pets for Vets is to help heal the emotional wounds of military veterans by pairing them with a shelter animal that is specially selected to match his or her personality.

When Ms. Black started Pets for Vets, there was one chapter. Today, there are 26!

How does Pets for Vets work? Vets describe the type of dog or cat (or even rabbit or bird) that they want. Next, professional trainers go to shelters where animals otherwise might be euthanized and find a "match" for the veteran based on, among other things, temperament. The trainer then works with the shelter animal to maximize the chance of success by teaching the animal how to behave to fit into the veteran's lifestyle.

According to Ms. Black, when going through the process, sometimes the veterans will tell her volunteer trainers things they had not even told their therapists. What was hidden needed to be revealed in the search of a the right friend.

Sometimes the vets will their entire stories to the animals. Because the animals give them unconditional love, at times, the vets share with them things they have never shared with a human being. Then, they become more open to the love of human beings as well.

As noted above, many vets have PTSD. Sometimes the PTSD manifests itself in hyper vigilance. With the dog or cat looking out for them, the vets can be less vigilant.

Just looking into the eyes of or petting the dog, cat or other precious creature can help reduce the stress and anxiety of the vet by the release of oxytocin. When you care for others, you care for yourself. This is not limited to vets!

Of course, it is not only the vets who benefit from this program. Tragically, across the country, more than 2 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year. That's why spaying and neutering is so important.

With Pets for Vets, shelter animals receive a second leash on life by giving a second chance at life to our returning heroes. In return, the vet gives the shelter animal a second leash on life.

The expression is sometimes over used, but Pets for Vets is the ultimate "win-win." Our vets receive unconditional love and friendship to help them re-enter society. Precious shelter animals that might not survive become partners to our heroes.

There is an expression in the Talmud to the effect that he or she who saves a life saves an entire world. Through Pets for Vets, two souls are saved.

Employers play a role in this key partnership. How?

First, some employers are required to engage in affirmative action on behalf of our vets1.

Second, like most other states, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware all generally protect the use of a "support animal" in the workplace. See article by Elana Baurer, Dogs: An Office’s Best Friend?, on page 16.

Finally, even employers who are not required to engage in affirmative action can and should help our vets and our 4-legged friends can be a great ally. "Just as employers have learned that hiring a veteran is as much a win for skill-seeking employers as it is for jobseeking veterans, Pets for Vets helps animals and veterans alike," said Mike Aitken, Vice President of Governmental Affairs of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Of course, the amazing work that Pets for Vets does is not without cost. So I encourage you to support them as I have done.

Check out their website at http:// pets-for-vets.com. The website includes information for veterans interested in the program as well as how you can help by donating money or volunteering your time.

Even if you are not a vet, please visit your shelter and adopt an older cat and dog. That is, unless your life is overflowing with unconditional love so that you can withstand no more.

Need to go. My three unconditional feline friends, Leo, Scotty and Finny, are hungry. Coming boys!

Jonathan A Segal is a partner at Duane Morris and a volunteer for and member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County SPCA.

Reprinted with permission from The Legal Intelligencer, © ALM Media Properties LLC. All rights reserved.