Understanding What We Are About
Veterans often feel isolated but are not comfortable in the company of others. Most truly want a companion. They often prefer friendship with a something rather than a someone. For some, the need to take care of something gives them purpose. For others, having a non-judgmental, unconditional love companion provides the veteran security.
Many veterans do not know how to go about obtaining an animal companion. They haven’t considered all the possibilities or perhaps are not fully realistic as to what they can handle or need. Many have the time to put in the work but they don’t know where to begin. Many veterans do not feel comfortable interacting with others personally so instead, will chose not to even start the process.
On the flip side, the number of unwanted animals in the US today is staggering. There are many organizations caring for these discarded creatures with the hopes of finding them a new and forever home but even they struggle with the volume of animals that are surrendered to them. All of the animals, be it a turtle, cat, dog, or horse have so much love to give. They are all worthy of a proper home and someone who will truly care and love them.
As a veteran who has personally experience the power of love from animals and can say that I am alive today because of two very special dogs this is my mission.
Our Organization Focus Today: Getting a Veteran with a Companion
Today there are four key areas Tag a Pet for a Vet focuses on to help veterans find a companion they so deserve and need.
1) A Veteran or Active-Duty Member Seeking a Companion
Tag a Pet for a Vet members are constantly in contact with veterans through various military organizations. When a veteran approaches our team seeking assistance to obtain a pet we assist in the following ways:
Work with the veteran to understand their needs, desires, lifestyle, capabilities so that we may help them provide realistic expectations or even the type of ideal pet.
Provide guidance as to where the veteran should seek out the pet they are best suited for. These will include providing them with vetted shelters and other organizations.
Depending on the veteran’s needs, help may also be given going through the screening process, interacting with the organizations and, in some cases, going with the veteran to pick up the animal.
Check up on the veteran once he/she is with their new companion to see that the bond is being built and there are no issues that need to be addressed.
Each veteran’s needs are different. Some are very self-sufficient and require minimal support while others require more personal assistance.
2) Working with Veterans (and Active-Duty Members) Who Currently Have a Companion
There are times when a veteran or active-duty member already has a companion but they need assistance.
Areas we support and focus on:
Education – examples include when to spay/neuter, best food to give within the veteran’s price range, and how to properly care for the animal.
Special needs Funding – there are times when an animal is in need of surgery or special care that is beyond the budget of the veteran. Having a veteran have to make a choice between paying his/her rent or providing the proper care for his/her animal is not one that we ever want them to have to make. In these cases, we help provide the funds to cover the special need of the animal.
3) Surrendered Companion
There are situations when a veteran (or active-duty member) can no longer take care of their companion. There have been cases when a veteran (or active-duty member) has passed away and his/her family do not want to or are unable to take the animal themselves. Similar situations such as a veteran being put into a care facility that doesn’t allow pets have also occurred. Many do not have anyone who is willing to take their companion.
For these cases we typically:
Contact the appropriate organizations to procure a spot for the animal.
Transport or arrange transport to place the animal in the appropriate location.
Provide temporary care for the animal until a proper home or place can be arranged.
4) An Available Companion
Animal organizations will often contact our team to notify us that they have an ideal companion for a veteran. It may be that the animal is older, requiring less but willing to be by the side of the veteran. Another example is that a particular breed of animal is available which is known to be an ideal companion.
Our mission in these cases is to:
Reach out to various veteran and active-duty organizations to notify them of this ideal candidate.
Pair the vet and animal with a certified trainer to ensure the bond and behavior suits both.
There are many reputable organizations here in Florida but still we are ever vigilant to monitor these organizations to ensure they maintain the high standards which we feel are necessary for the health, safety, and happiness of veterans (and active-duty members) and companions.
Our Organization Focus Moving Forward: A Safe Haven
As Tag a Pet for a Vet continues our outreach journey the next phase will focus on providing a safe haven for all. We are currently working to procure land in the north Naples area where we can develop areas for animals of all sizes.
Just because a veteran doesn’t have a companion, or for various reasons cannot have one, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t enjoy interacting with them. This safe haven would allow them to come and enjoy the company of the animals staying there.
This space will also act as a community outreach. Many lovely people own animals. They would love for their pets to run and enjoy the company of other animals. These people are also generous in allowing veterans to come and see and interact with their dog even if it is just a couple of hours. Most veterans are not comfortable visiting dog parks. They feel they will be watched and even judged if they do not have their own animal to share. Tag a Pet for a Vet safe haven will give them the ability to come and watch, interact with animals, and even interact with other veterans if they so choose.
We will also be looking to leverage this space for emergency situations. If there is a fire, hurricane, or other disaster most people do not know where they can bring their companion. Safe haven will be constructed to be such a place. Perhaps a family needs to go into a shelter to weather the storm but they are unable to bring their pet. We will encourage them to let us take care of their beloved animal.
In addition, we are currently working to provide emergency information. If there is a fire in your community today do you know which of your neighbors have animals? This information would be of great help for the fire and police departments to avoid people running into the fire when they get home so that they can save their pet. We will also be providing educational outreach to communities. Every pet owner should have an emergency check list for their animal. A neighbor caring for their pet might not know that pet lizards require a heat lamp set at a particular temperature. Allergic animals have other special needs that should be clearly identified. We want to help our pet owner communities to have the information ready – just in case.