Ann Black

At age 61, I was planning my husband’s and my retirement move to North Carolina, not looking for another project/career until our daughter described her idea for Pets for Vets. The more she talked, the more I knew I had to help her make this happen; I had to say “yes” for the veterans and the shelter animals.

Our goal at 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. Professional animal trainers rehabilitate the animals and teach them good manners to fit into the veteran’s lifestyle. Training can also include desensitization to wheel chairs or crutches as well as recognizing panic or anxiety disorder behaviors.

I have been a volunteer and involved in nonprofits for several years, but I had not built an organization from the ground up.  Clarissa, my daughter, is the creative idea person.  I bring the practical, organizational skills to the table.  Both skill sets are needed to not only maintain Pets for Vets but also to grow the organization.  We respect each other’s vision and plans for the future, which is crucial for a stable organization.

Although my background was banking and nonprofits, I needed new skills in grant writing, financial management, trademarks/copyrights, state and federal corporation laws, solicitation licenses, major fundraising, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), animal training and, most importantly, how to replicate a program nationwide. In just under six years, we have established 34 chapters in 22 states and the District of Columbia. We are impacting military families by assisting in healing the emotional wounds of the veteran, strengthening the quality of life for the veteran and his/her immediate family. One veteran who suffered from PTSD and TBI is no longer dependent on medication just one month after receiving his Pets for Vets companion dog. A veteran who suffered from PTSD was able to finally turn her lights out at night shortly after receiving her companion dog. Working with and learning to train his Pets for Vets companion dog helped another veteran take his mind off what he endured in Iraq, manage his anger and better his relationship with his son. A veteran with an overwhelming desire to commit suicide no longer has nightmares of his traumatic tour in Iraq.

“Recently, Pets for Vets gave me a beautiful dog named Sloopy. Before Sloopy was given to me, I was frequently visiting the VA clinic receiving treatment for PTSD, which included nightmares, anxiety, mood swings, anything you can think of. Sloopy has made me feel absolutely 100% better in every aspect of my life. She is my best friend and even though we haven’t lived together for long, I honestly couldn’€™t think of what I would do without her. Sloopy is always right there for me, she watches TV with me, runs with me in the park and even sleeps right by me in my bed. There is never a time (other than when I’€™m at work) that we are apart. There aren’€™t enough hugs and thank you’€™s in this world to show how grateful I am towards Pets for Vets. It is an absolute amazing organization and I highly recommend them for any veterans, especially veterans who have tried the traditional methods with limited success. Sincerely, Eric.”