{"id":2092,"date":"2010-07-07T15:34:05","date_gmt":"2010-07-07T21:34:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sgtbrandi.com\/?page_id=2092"},"modified":"2016-07-05T15:35:44","modified_gmt":"2016-07-05T21:35:44","slug":"vets-and-animals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/sgtbrandi.com\/?page_id=2092","title":{"rendered":"Veterans and Animals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"If you want a good friend, that will love you unconditionally, will never judge you, and die to protect you, then get a dog. Cats are without exception, another source of unconditional love. Perhaps a little quieter than dogs (sometimes) but none the less, true companions.Over the course of the last 7 years, it\u2019s become obvious to me that animals of all kinds, return far more love than I could ever give in return. The word animal itself means \u201d Living Soul\u201d, and these beautiful beings are examples to all of us of what living in the moment truly means. They don\u2019t worry about the past or the future, and they sure as hell don\u2019t bitch about how bad they\u2019ve got or what they don\u2019t have.<\/p>\n

\"\"As we used to say back in \u201cThe Land of the Little People\u201d (the Nam), \u201cFeel\u2019in good is good enough!\u201d and when conditions went from bad to worse, we\u2019d say \u201cAin\u2019t nothin but a thing\u2026ain\u2019t nothin\u201d . Standing out with my cattle friends in the rain or snow, they just \u201cTuff it out!\u201d\u2026Ain\u2019t nothin. That\u2019s a good thing to remember when the world turns to shit at times. If it ain\u2019t life threatening, then it truly \u201cAin\u2019t nothin\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"Having talked to hundreds of Combat Veterans over the years, I find it interesting that we all feel pretty much the same on the subject of Friendship. Animals are about the best examples of such Friendship that I know. It\u2019s also interesting to me, how many Combat Vets run animal sanctuaries like I do, or take in numbers of animals that have been abandoned or abused by human assholes.<\/p>\n

\"\"Guess it\u2019s sort of our way of giving back a little life, that we all had to take in war. I\u2019m not real sure, but it does feel good to know that because of you, a loving animal has a little longer to live in this world, will get a little love they never had, and a chance to be a real important part of your life. Let\u2019s face it, left to itself, the world would be a beautiful place. It\u2019s humans that turn it into a shit hole. Just feels good to help old Mother Nature out a bit, by takin good care of some of Her animals.<\/p>\n

\"\"Animals are even being used in some hospitals to help out patients. My good friend, Billie Russel, a retired Army, Command Sergeant Major, from the 7th Medical Battalion told me a story about one such hospital that brought in a dog. These Combat Troops loved it! Trouble was, the Soldiers would open up and actually tell the dog all their traumatic experiences, and told the clinicians to \u201cEat shit and die\u201d. Pissed all the shrinks off! But the Troops loved the dog being there and were actually happy, so was the dog.<\/p>\n

\"\"So if you don\u2019t like humans much, like I used to, maybe go and volunteer at an animal shelter or sanctuary, get a dog or two from the local animal control folks, or start up an animal rescue place of your own. Somehow the money always seems to come. That is, when you\u2019re workin for others, and not bein a greedy son of a bitch, taking advantage of the weak or disadvantaged.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve included a few shelters and sanctuaries here to take a look at. Think about it.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Old Windmill Trail Farm Animal Sanctuary<\/a><\/p>\n

Here’s where my Partner, Karin and I hang out with our 32 Hoofed and Horned Friends…OORAH!!<\/p>\n

You can also see some of Karin’s artwork.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Heart<\/a>
\nHeart and Soul Animal Sanctuary<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Kindred<\/a>
\nKindred Spirits Animal Sanctuary<\/a><\/p>\n

To check out other places, just Google Animal Sanctuaries, to find sites such as\u00a0 PetFinders<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you get serious, just contact me and I\u2019ll help you with a 501 (c)3 non profit application. Anything else I can do, just ask.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Healing Through Horses\u00ae<\/sup><\/a><\/h3>\n

“Healing Through Horses\u00ae<\/sup> offers a variety of heart centered programs which are intended to explore a myriad of personal, social and emotional challenges as well as providing a safe environment for individuals who have a desire to resolve conflict and move towards improving their quality of life.”<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Paws and Stripes<\/a><\/h3>\n

“On average, it can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 for a service dog. Health Insurance does not cover these costs for PTSD and other “cognitive” disorders, and veterans are more than likely unable to cover such a financial blow. Paws and Stripes provides these dogs interactively with no cost at all to the veteran.<\/p>\n

“Every dog in our program originates from local shelters and foster homes rather than from breeders. There are enough homeless dogs in the country that need homes, and we strive to help alleviate this problem rather than add to it. This also allows the veteran to meet and actively choose what dog is right for him\/her, regardless of breed.<\/p>\n

“Providing service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and other psychiatric and mental impairments provides a sense of safety, stability, and camaraderie that help make society seem less threatening and stressful.”<\/p>\n

\n

\"Pets<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

P2V<\/a><\/h3>\n

Vision<\/h3>\n

“P2V seeks healing and support for those service men and women who suffer, homes for sheltered animals and that both may live in dignity as they embark on their journey together. We will provide our nation\u2019s heroes with accessible, cost-effective animal assisted activities as they pursue rehabilitative and therapeutic care from their healthcare providers.<\/p>\n

Mission<\/h3>\n

“P2V seeks to alleviate the psychological suffering of our nation\u2019s heroes and to reduce the number of sheltered animals in the United States by:<\/p>\n