Beyond the Battlefield: Paws of War Shares Powerful Stories of Veterans Finding Hope and Healing

Photo courtesy of Paws of War | Paws of War Service Dog, Lucy

This Veterans Day, the nonprofit shines a light on veterans overcoming life’s challenges with the help of rescued animals, companionship and life-changing support.

November 11 is Veterans Day,

a time to honor the men and women who have served our country and recognize the sacrifices they have made. For Paws of War, honoring veterans goes beyond one day of recognition. The organization is sharing the inspiring stories of veterans whose lives have been transformed through its programs, while encouraging Americans to find meaningful ways to show their appreciation and support for those who have served.

“Considering what our mission is, Veterans Day is near and dear to our hearts,” said Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “We love being able to help veterans while honoring the sacrifices they have made on behalf of all of us. Every veteran has a story, and we hope that by sharing some of these experiences, people will gain a greater appreciation for their service and understand how much of a difference support and companionship can make in their lives.”

Paws of War is an organization that focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans.

They do this in a variety of ways, including helping military members get their rescued pets from overseas brought to America, pairing rescued and trained dogs with veterans who need therapy pets, providing veterinary care for veterans, and much more. They also have several veterans working for them, assisting in their mission efforts. The work they do has helped countless veterans and active duty military members to date. While their work is largely funded and supported by the community, many people are unaware of the life-changing results that their efforts lead to.

Christopher Perez is one of those who was helped by the organization. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran who spent five years on active duty, he was experiencing mental challenges when he left the military. He struggled with motivation and spent most of his time alone. He happened upon the Paws of War website and spotted Dale, a Canaan mix dog who had been abandoned in the Middle East and brought to America after being rescued by a U.S. soldier. Perez and Dale ended up being paired together and caring for the dog helped get him outdoors and being more actively involved in life.

“The harder days are easier now,” said Perez. “Now that I have him, it forces me to go out and take him for walks, which has led me to talking to neighbors. Plus, just knowing that he’s home waiting for me makes it easier. I’m no longer coming home to an empty apartment or doing most things alone.”

Gary O’Rourke was a Vietnam veteran who was issued a Purple Heart for wounds he received while in action.

After returning to civilian life, he began working as a machinist. Once he returned, he began working as a volunteer for Paws of War, where he spends his time helping veterans and first responders through program initiatives.

Mary McCue is another veteran helped by Paws of War. Following 9/11, she chose to join the U.S. Marine Corps. A combat veteran, she served for seven years, completing two deployments in Iraq. When she returned home, she struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which pushed her into alcoholism and a difficult period of her life. Paws of War paired her with a rescued Labrador named Abby, who had been trained through the Paws of War Service Dog Training Program. Abby was an important part of helping McCue change the direction of her life and recovery, as she provided daily support, stability, and companionship. Today, McCue serves as a volunteer and mentor with the Nassau County Veterans Treatment Court, where she has helped many veterans get the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Matthew Humpf is another veteran helped through the Paws of War programs.

In the U.S. Army, he was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, as a paratrooper. Having witnessed profound chaos and trauma, he returned home with PTSD and physical injuries that made his life challenging. Paws of War paired him with Echo, a rescued and trained German shepherd. Echo became a trusted part of Matthew’s daily life, helping to give him space while in public and reducing situations that can trigger PTSD. Echo helps him feel more secure and grounded.

“He gives me a reason to get out of the house and enjoy life,” said Matthew.

Paws of War is offering several ways that people can get involved this Veterans Day, including:

• Ask a veteran about their story. Veterans have experiences, perspectives, and lessons that deserve to be heard. Take time to ask a veteran what service means to them, what they are most proud of, or what they wish more people understood about military life. Be willing to listen, but respect their decision if they prefer not to discuss certain experiences.
• Honor their service by supporting their lives today. Veterans Day isn’t just about recognizing someone’s time in uniform. It’s also about acknowledging the challenges some veterans face after returning to civilian life. Organizations such as Paws of War help veterans find companionship, confidence, and renewed independence through service dog programs and other support initiatives.
• Turn gratitude into action. Instead of simply saying “thank you for your service,” consider doing something meaningful. Volunteer with a veterans organization, support a veteran-owned business, make a donation to a nonprofit serving veterans, or help a veteran in your community with an everyday task.
• Teach the next generation what Veterans Day means. Encourage children to learn about military service and the sacrifices made by veterans and their families. Have students write thank-you letters, interview a veteran who is comfortable sharing their story, or participate in a community tribute project. These simple activities help ensure veterans’ contributions are remembered by future generations.
• Help make a difference for a veteran and their pet. Supporting organizations such as Paws of War can help provide rescued service and companion animals, veterinary care and other essential resources to veterans in need. Whether through donations, volunteering or spreading awareness, community involvement can help change lives long after Veterans Day has passed.

“We want to make sure that veterans are honored and recognized on Veterans Day and throughout the year,” added Misseri. “We look forward to continuing our mission to help as much as we can and appreciate any support we get to help make that happen.”

To get more information and read more stories of how Paws of War has helped veterans and to support their efforts, visit the website at: http://pawsofwar.org.

Paws of War focuses on helping active duty soldiers and veterans in various ways. They have helped relocate the rescued pets of overseas military members. They have helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large, loyal following of supporters and looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. To donate to help their missions, visit their site at http://pawsofwar.org.

About Paws of War

Paws of War is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that assists military members and their pets, rescues and trains dogs to be service dogs, and providescompanion animals to veterans and first responders. To learn more about Paws of War and the programs provided or donate, visit its site at http://pawsofwar.org.