Fire Dept. Coffee Celebrates National Pets for Veterans Day

Is there anything more comforting than looking over and seeing your best friend right beside you?

A gleam in their eye? A hint of a smile on their face? … Their tail wagging in total excitement?

National Pets for Veterans Day celebrates the amazing bond between people and their pets — but not just any people and not just any pets. It is a day to recognize the special connections created between them as something to admire and appreciate.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan reminded us about the severe impacts that military service can have on those who volunteer to serve our country. As more troops returned from overseas year after year, they confronted the realities of post-traumatic stress.

With this, more of these veterans found comfort in the company of animals. In some cases, they may have been trained service dogs. And others, they were simply their pets — dogs, cats, you name it.

The impact these pets make can change everything.

STEPPING UP TO MAKE THE INTRODUCTIONS

Over the last 20 years, numerous organizations have risen to the forefront to help connect veterans with special pets.

One of the first was Pets for Vets, founded in 2009 by animal trainer Carissa Black. With a bachelor’s in Animal Science and a master’s in Anthrozoology, Black founded Pets for Vets as a way to thank service members for their sacrifices.

She had learned the many benefits that pets can have on their people — especially those going through tough times — so it was a natural fit.

The organization notes that the bond with the right pet can help a veteran strengthen social connections, increase mental well-being, enhance emotional health, ease loneliness and overcome trauma.

“When I first discharged out of the service I had a few complications and adjusting to civilian life was very hard for me,” said Navy Veteran Gheryn Height. “[I have a] 1 year old Australian Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix. He’s my best friend and never fails to put a smile on my face even through the toughest of days.”

Of course, as much as veterans benefit from pets, plenty of pets need people, too. Millions of dogs each year are abandoned or stranded in shelters from coast to coast. What they need is a home, someone to care for them and show them the love and attention they deserve.

Veterans are overwhelmingly up to the task.

Pets for Vets has connected more than 600 trained dogs with veterans, and many other organizations are working hard to facilitate similar pet-vet families.

VETERAN SUPPORTERS OF FIRE DEPT. COFFEE KNOW ABOUT AWESOME PETS

As a NaVOBA certified organization, Fire Dept. Coffee has plenty of veterans on our crew, and we know firsthand how much joy that a loving pet can bring to our lives.

Most of the pets are dogs, but we do have a few cats and one surprisingly lovable raccoon (it’s a long story). 

We are grateful for the unconditional love and friendship that our pets bring to our lives, so we are proud to celebrate National Pets for Veterans Day and everyone who works hard to connect our service members with the special pets in their lives.

With that, we’ll leave you with a few pics of some of our favorite vets and their favorite pets!