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October 21st of every year marks National Pets for Veterans Day. This is a holiday dedicated to honoring the veterans who have served our country and highlighting the therapeutic benefits that pets provide them. It is an annual event that recognizes the companionship, joy, and healing that pets can bring into the lives of many veterans coping with the physical and emotional aftermath of their military service.
The Origins of National Pets for Veterans Day
National Pets for Veterans Day was founded in 2009 by the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs and the K9s for Warriors organization. These nonprofits aim to advocate for veterans' welfare, emphasize the human-animal bond, and enable veterans to live healthier and more fulfilling lives by providing them specially trained service dogs and other pets.
The inaugural National Pets for Veterans Day was held on October 21, 2009, to coincide with George Washington's birthday. As the commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War and the nation's first president, this date was chosen to honor Washington's military leadership as well as spotlight how beneficial animal companionship can be for veterans and active-duty military members.
The Goals of National Pets for Veterans Day
There are several key goals associated with National Pets for Veterans Day. These include:
- Increasing public awareness of the physical and emotional wounds veterans live with after serving their country. Many bear lifelong scars from their military experiences and benefit tremendously from dedicated medical treatment, community support, and unconditional love from a pet.
- Drawing attention to the scientifically proven psychological, physiological, and therapeutic benefits that stem from animal companionship. Caring for a pet promotes relaxation, lower blood pressure, increased self-esteem and sense of purpose. For veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and acute anxiety, pets can provide calm stability.
- Supporting programs and nonprofits that unite veterans with rescued shelter animals that are specifically trained to be therapeutic helpers and companions. Groups like K9s for Warriors have helped over 850 retired military members by providing specially trained recovery service dogs at no personal cost to the veteran.
- Educating people on how they can get involved with veteran pet therapy programs through volunteering, training assistance dogs, fostering pets, or donating money and other valuable resources.
How Americans Can Observe National Pets for Veterans Day
This federal holiday offers everyday citizens multiple ways to show support, give back and honor military veterans through activities like:
- Donating money or pet care items to nonprofit groups that specialize in connecting rescued animals with veterans in need of animal therapy and companionship.
- Volunteering with veteran pet therapy programs by helping raise, train or foster dogs designated to be placed with veterans.
- Spreading public awareness on social media platforms about the therapeutic role pets can play for veterans with physical injuries and emotional trauma.
- Adding a #PetsforVets hashtag to social media posts about National Pets for Veterans Day to increase visibility of this event and its objectives.
- Spending time with and expressing gratitude towards military veterans in your community who have pets that bring them comfort after their years of service.
- Reaching out to legislators to advocate for policies that support increased funding for veteran treatment programs and therapeutic benefits for service animals.
Final Words
National Pets for Veterans Day provides the opportunity for more public dialogue, understanding of and assistance for the struggles that many veterans face upon returning to civilian life. The unconditional affection and support from pets can truly transform their health and wellbeing for the better. This holiday also honors our military heroes' courage, reminds them that they are cared for and continues driving the momentum around ensuring their post-service lives are enjoyable, meaningful and dignified.
