100 pets up for free adoption for veterans
Wagging tails, barking and napping cats are not quite what you'd expect at an auto dealership; however, that was exactly what the Pohanka Automative Group had Monday.
"Pets For Vets" was all in honor of veterans on President's Day, according to marketing director Chris Hagel.
"Presidents Day was coming, and we knew we wanted to do something special to honor our veterans," says Hagel.
That special something came in the form of a furry friend for free, with roughly 100 dogs and cats up for adoption.
The animals came from the Wicomico Humane Society and three local rescue shelters. Pohanka footed the bill for adoption fees.
Karlene Morrison, founder of the Westside Animal Rescue in Nanticoke, was one of the local rescue organizations. Morrison says she often partners with Susan Coleman of Community Cats Coalition in order to get cats adopted through local events and shops.
Morrison tells 47ABC adoption fees for cats typically run between 85 and 100 dollars, but they can vary depending on the breed.
"Sometimes you can't believe it, but we'll get it a Himalayan. We'll get a pure-bred Siamese. We'll get a Tonkinese. Something that's really exotic and beautiful…and their personality, also," explains Morrison. "If they have a tremendous personality, and they're beautiful."
According to Chris Hardy, that sort of companion can mean the world for a veteran.
Hardy served in the U.S. Army for 11 years as a specialist. He tells 47ABC, he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder ('PTSD').
"It's sad to say even with our families, we kind [don't want to be] bothered with. I mean, don't get me wrong. We still love them and everything, but it's hard to deal with. It really is," says Hardy.
This is why Hardy says pet companions like dogs can help veterans reconnect.
According to the National Center for PTSD, there is not enough research to know if dogs actually help treat the disorder; however, there are emotional benefits.
As for Hardy, he describes service dogs in particular as one of the best forms of medicine.
"They're life-changers. We've actually had veterans try to commit suicide. Then we bring a dog into their life, you got these dogs giving them unconditional love so no matter what happens," explains Hardy. "These dogs are there for you."
According to PTSD United, a non-profit organization for those suffering from this disorder, an estimated eight percent of Americans have PTSD at any given time. That estimate equates 24.4 million people, roughly the total population of Texas.
