Cover caption: Veterans Ambassador Council member Joseph “Sonny” Hanlon loves his two poodles.
By Gina Mazza
In 2023, a United States Military veteran made a poignant comment to the staff at Animal Friends, a full-service companion animal welfare organization located in Pittsburgh’s North Hills: “There were so many times when I wanted to end it all,” he said, “but I didn’t … because I didn’t want anything bad to happen to my dogs.”
This heart-wrenching expression of one veteran’s love for his pets exemplifies the reason for the creation of Animal Friends for Veterans. This special program is aimed at directly encouraging and supporting the nearly 200,000 troops in the southwestern Pennsylvania region in adopting and caring for an animal companion.
Many troops return home with scars, seen and unseen, that can make it difficult to transition back to civilian life, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, toxic command, and traumatic brain injury. Sadly, 17.5 veterans or active members of the military take their own lives each day, according to a November 2023 report by the US Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. That is where pets become lifesavers to those who give their service to save others’ lives.
“Companion animals can help veterans remain more active and engaged; for example, walking a dog provides exercise and Vitamin D, both shown to facilitate positive mental health,” comments Melissa Stammely-Park, Therapeutic Programs Coordinator at Animal Friends. “Additionally, dog walking may lead to conversation with others, so people feel connected. Having a pet helps them overcome feelings of hopelessness and the desire to give up.”
Animal Friends has been committed to helping the brave individuals who continue to serve in our Armed Forces since its founding in 1943—at the height of World War II. Over the decades, Animal Friends has grown into a full-service community resource that rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes animals in crisis, along with offering education, advocacy and affordable services to assist pet owners in the area. Services offered through the program include:
Matchmaking Services: Customized matches of any dog, cat or rabbit for veterans in which the requested adoption donation is underwritten (no cost to the veteran).
Customized Adoptions: Assistance with specialized matchmaking and collaborative training. At a minimum, all animals have received the following before going home:
- Physical exam
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Age-appropriate vaccinations
- Deworming
- Heartworm and Lyme test for dogs and along with flea/tick and heartworm prevention
- Microchipping
Spay/Neuter Packages: All animals adopted from Animal Friends are spayed or neutered prior to adoption; but any cat or dog living with a veteran or current member of the military (including outdoor community cats) in need of spay/neuter services receive a 20 percent discount on a spay or neuter package.
Veterinary Services: Veterans and current members of the military receive a 20 percent discount on already affordable wellness services, vaccines and medications for dogs and cats at the Howard Ash Animal Wellness Center.
Behavior Help: Veterans and current military members receive a 20 percent discount on select dog training classes through Animal Friends University and free access to the behavior helpline. One-on-one training sessions may be available depending on need.
Pet Food Assistance: Through our Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank, Animal Friends provides access to free nutritious food for dogs, cats and rabbits living with veterans who are facing financial hardships.
Emergency Support: Emergency boarding (dependent on current shelter capacity) for any dog, cat or rabbit living with a veteran or current member of the military in crisis.
Animal Friends for Veterans’ services and programs are partially or fully underwritten by the Major Ben Follansbee Memorial Fund. Major Follansbee was a highly decorated Green Beret who served on multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning two bronze stars among numerous other commendations. Tragically, in December 2012, he took his own life. His parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Follansbee, along with family friend Bob Fragasso, helped to establish the memorial fund in Ben’s honor with the goal of preventing such tragedy through the support of the animal-human bond.
Animal Friends is located at 562 Camp Horne Road in the North Hills. To learn more or to donate to Animal Friends for Veterans, call (412) 847-7030, email Veterans@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org or visit ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/Veterans.
