Dava Guerin - Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal

A portion of the proceeds of this book will go to Pets for Patriots, a charitable organization that helps veterans find loving companions and abandoned animals find good homes.

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Cover design by Rain Saukus

Cover photo credit Stephen Wallace, MD, JD

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-2193-7

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-2194-4

Printed in the United States of America

To our nations wounded veterans, their service dogs, companion animals, and the intrepid volunteers who brought them together. As a team, they have helped heal the wounds of war, brought love and laughter into each others lives, and, most of all, renewed the optimism, joy, and hope of life well livedand to my father, Dr. Martin Lewis Fleishman, a US Army Air Corps veteran and my hero.

Dava Guerin

For Emily Brennan Ferris and Kieran Mandela Ferris, who make me proud every day.

Kevin Ferris

T ABLE OF C ONTENTS

A CKNOWLEDGMENTS

T his book would have never been possible without the brave men and women who have served our country in the military. It is a great honor and privilege to share their personal stories of love, loss, hope, and laughter. Veterans and the animals they love have a special place in all Americans hearts; their connection reminds us all of the power of the human spirit and the critical role that animals play in making our lives happier and healthier. We thank all of the inspirational veterans who have so openly and thoughtfully let us into their lives and enabled us to capture their stories in Vets and Pets . As for their special animals, their unwavering love and tenacity have changed veterans lives in the most remarkable ways, and telling their stories has been a joy beyond compare.

We also thank Beth Zimmerman, who gave up a lucrative career to start a nonprofit organization, Pets for Patriots, that places abandoned animals with veterans. She has been a wonderful resource for us, sharing transformational stories of veterans and the animals they rescued. Also helpful with our outreach to veterans was Wallace Nunn, a Vietnam veteran and chairman of the board of the Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; Hal Koster, also a Vietnam vet and now executive director of the Aleethia Foundation, which has done so much for wounded warriors and their caregivers; and Wells B. Jones, chief executive officer of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and Americas VetDogs The Veterans K-9 Corps, and his organizations communications manager, William A. Krol. John Wear, of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who served as a tank commander and section leader with Charlie Company, Third Tank Battalion, Third Marine Division, in Vietnam, had enough faith in us to reach out to friends and fellow veterans on our behalf. Canine Companions for Independence was most generous with providing us its expertise, particularly regarding the often confusing roles that service and companion dogs play in the lives of veterans. Tania Gail Ciolko provided moral support and inspiring photography, and Amy Junod Placentra was patient and helpful when faced with a variety of technical support questions. For all of these experts, and their willingness to help us with this project, we are most grateful.

We owe a shout out to Andrea Arden, author, animal expert, and nationally acclaimed television host on Animal Planet and NBC, for her moving foreword and for sharing words of wisdom about dog training and the need to adopt shelter animals and save them from euthanasia. Andrea is also an advocate for animal adoption and knows firsthand the joy and love that abandoned and abused animals can bring. Dr. Shawn Dunn and Patrick Bradley, whose inspirational stories appear in the book, have generously taken the time to provide valuable information on animal behavior and training that readers can try on their own pets.

Without Skyhorse Publishing, which took a chance on two first-time authors four years ago, our first book, Unbreakable Bonds: The Mighty Moms and Wounded Warriors of Walter Reed , would never have come to life. Because of their belief in the amazing stories of mothers who have given all to help their wounded warrior children recover from devastating injuries as a result of the War on Terror, we were able to highlight the importance of military caregivers on a national and international basis. Our editors on Vets and Pets Chris Evans, Joe Craig, Kelsie Besaw, and Mike Campbellcould not have been more supportive. Our agent, Lloyd Remick, Esq., an army veteran, has been with us since the beginning and has been a true partner in all of our projects.

We owe a debt of gratitude to First Lady Barbara Bush for writing her heartfelt and inspirational foreword. She is not only a champion of literacy but a dog lover, too. She and President George H. W. Bush have been supportive of our work with veterans and caregivers and have been more than generous with their time and involvement. President Bushs chief of staff, our dear friend Jean Becker, has been the driving force behind our books and has personally been involved in helping wounded warriors and caregivers in so many ways. She is our Point of Light. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, as well, have hosted many events for wounded warriors and caregivers. For that we are also very appreciative.

Of course there are so many people who have given us inspiration, without whom this book would never have come to pass. Wed like to give a special thanks to Ellene Fleishman, who spent countless hours listening to our stories and giving her valuable insights. We also want to thank Gary Sinise, for his dedication and tireless efforts to help our nations veterans; Terry Bivens and Dr. Judith Jaeger for their journalistic advice; Kevins editors at the Philadelphia Inquirer , Harold Jackson, Josh Gohlke, and Paul Davies, for helping him make time for this project; and the Mighty Moms of Walter ReedStacy, Mary, Carolee, Paulette, Tammy, Valence, Julie, Siobhan, Lyn, and Pamthe inspirations behind Unbreakable Bonds , who continue to inspire us. They showed us the important role military caregivers play in helping their children heal. Former Congressman Bob Clement and his wife Mary Clement gave us their stellar advice, guidance, and, most of all, friendship; Rick Fleishman and Gabrielle Fleishman were so supportive; and Gloria Camma always kept us on track. To everyone else who has helped us along this journey, we thank you as well. And, finally, the pets we cherish in our livesCoco, Kato, Kosmo, Max, Tinkie and J.P. Morganthanks to you we are happier, content, and more forgiving and blessed to experience that special kind of love that humans and animals share unconditionally.

F OREWORD

Former First Lady Barbara Bush

F or many of us, coming home to or cuddling with a beloved pet is one of lifes great joys. No matter how your day has gone, the unbridled excitement of your pet when you walk in the door really can make your problems seem a little less grim.