Skip to main content

Pets for Vets Pittsburgh: Our First Match!

We are thrilled to share Don and Louie's story as the very first match through Animal Friends as the official Pittsburgh Chapter of Pets for Vets!
With an enormous smile on his face, Retired Army Sergeant Donald Borland greeted Louie, a 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier for the first time. Louie returned the sentiment with a wag of his tail, not knowing how much this moment meant to Don.

It all started about 7 months before their match day. Don, a lifelong dog lover, was looking online at some of the adoptable dogs at various animal rescues and shelters in our region when he came across the Pets for Vets Pittsburgh Chapter at Animal Friends. He immediately picked up the phone and took the first steps that would help bring him and his new best friend together.

Pets for Vets is a national organization that supports veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury by matching them with companion animals that have been carefully selected for them based on their lifestyle, personality and specific needs. While Don, a decorated combat veteran of Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, would give Louie a loving home, Louie would give Don something just as important –the unconditional love and companionship only a pet can provide.

Louie is a sweet and outgoing little guy who loves just about everyone he meets. Don will tell you he’s quite the ladies’ man! These two became instant best friends after they met when it quickly became clear that Louie had found his family and Don had found the perfect sidekick.

The amazing bond that Don and Louie share is no coincidence. It isn’t the result of luck or chance either. It’s thanks to the skill, commitment and love of certified Pets for Vets trainer, Debi Meehan. Debi met Louie after he had been rescued from a high-kill shelter and placed into a foster home. After evaluating him, she knew that he would be a good match for the program and, more importantly for Don. Once Louie had been identified as a match for Don, he began a 6-week “boot camp” with Debi in her home where she taught him skills and behaviors personalized to Don’s needs.

After his match day, Don presented Debi with a Military Challenge Coin as a thank you. Don was given the coin by his General following Iraqi Freedom – he had been holding onto it to give it to someone who deserved it. Not only did Don find a new companion in Louie with the help of Pets for Vets and Animal Friends, he made what he calls a lifelong friend in Debi. When we asked Don about the program and what he’d want to tell other veterans about it, his words were short, sweet and to the point, “simply awesome.”

Don and Louie are the first of what are sure to be many successful matches made through the Pets for Vets Pittsburgh Chapter at Animal Friends, but to connect more vets with pets, we need trainers! If you’re interested in becoming a Pets for Vets trainer who can help us tell more Happy Tails like Don and Louie’s, contact Lauren Leffakis, Director of Placement Services at LLeffakis@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org
or 412.847.7097. 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Dangers of Declawing Cats

If you have a feline family member, you’ve probably experienced the many benefits that come from having a loving bond with your kitty companion. You’ve probably also seen (or felt!) the familiar prick of those pointy paws. But, before you declaw your cat, it’s important to know the downsides – and dangers – of declawing your beloved family cat.   Why Cats Have Claws Claws help cats grip and enjoy stretches that engage and tone their backs and shoulders.  While humans walk on the soles of their feet, cats walk on their toes. Because of this, they need their claws to help them balance properly. Without claws, your cat is forced to alter the way they walk which can result in discomfort, pain and joint damage.  Cats scratch to release happiness – which is why you may witness your kitty joyfully scratching their scratching post when you return home or after a play session with you or your other felines. Why You Shouldn’t Declaw Declawing is a painful procedure that actually re...

The "S Dogs" (part 3)

Read: The "S Dogs" (part 2) In one of our dog kennels, a staff member was finishing some paperwork at a makeshift desk made from an overturned milk crate. In the kennels surrounding her were about a half dozen of the S Dogs. Occasionally tossing a treat to the kennels’ occupants, she went about her work as the dog nervously paced back and forth. Although it may have seemed like an odd sight to some, this was one of the critical first steps of their rehabilitation. This was getting them accustomed to the presence of people. This continued for weeks and months. And slowly but surely, terrified looks and shell-shocked stares transitioned into fleeting eye contact or a cautious sniff. Each of these small victories were building on one another as the S Dogs learned to trust. Then one day as our staff member went in to complete some paperwork, she opened a kennel door in hopes that the occupant would take a few brave steps out. From the corner of her eye, she saw him approach. Care...

Sadie's Third Chance

“Something’s wrong. She’s not breathing,” one of the vet techs called to the staff veterinarian. The tiny kitten had been born just a couple months prior at Animal Friends. Her pregnant mother Sonnet, and nearly three dozen other cats, had come to Animal Friends after being rescued from a severe hoarding situation. Sadie had just escaped being born into an unspeakable life in a now-condemned house. But now, Sadie was on the verge of losing the second chance she had just been given. She was nearing the day where she was ready to find a loving home, but first had to be spayed. She was a strong, healthy kitten. And, there was no reason to expect that Sadie would have a life-threatening reaction to anesthesia during a routine procedure. But there she was … not breathing … and her heart had stopped. As quickly as the 2-pound kitten’s breath had stopped, our skilled medical staff jumped into action, performing lifesaving CPR. After a few tense moments, little Sadie was back. Every day, Anim...