Thanks to everyone for inquiring on how Gary has been doing. It has been one month since Gary has been home from the hospital. He has made progress walking with a cane, but is not able to walk for long distances. He had a dental emergency that needed to be addressed, and was graciously treated by the wonderful staff at Mobile Dentistry of Arizona.
Gary’s VA social worker was able to secure in-home assistance for him, and he is more adept at getting around his apartment on his own, making his own meals, etc.
Gary’s story got the attention of Fox News, and a few weeks ago (not yet aired), they came over to his apartment to cover the story. He was interviewed by Fox News Producer, Bil Ossher, and talked about his falling on hard times, how he couldn’t part with Libby, and how Valley Dogs Rescue came to his aid. His story has brought to light the issues that many homeless veterans face. According to the VA, there are reportedly 329 homeless veterans with pets in the Phoenix area. There is currently no funding and no transitional housing for these vets. They have a choice of giving up their animal or continuing to live on the streets. This is the difficult choice Gary was faced with. He chose to sleep in his truck before giving up his dog, Libby.
Valley Dogs Rescue has partnered with the VA in creating a special fund called “Vets and Their Pets“. All funds go directly to assisting homeless veterans and their pets in the Phoenix area.
A big garage sale is being held on Feb. 12th, 2011 with all funds raised going to Vets and Their Pets. We are accepting donations for the garage sale and are, of course, looking for shoppers on the 12th! The sale will be located at 9295 E. Corrine Drive, Scottsdale, 85260 (93rd Street and Cactus) from 8am – 4pm.
Valley Dogs Rescue is calling on all animal rescues in the Phoenix area to pitch in and help a Vet and their Pet. Keep an animal from ending up at an adoption center and being ripped away from their owner by offering temporary housing. Give animals a chance with their owners. If you are not with a rescue, but are committed and willing to foster a pet, please come forward. We are working with the VA to identify Vets in need who have a pet at risk.
Our goal is to bring awareness and give support to a little known issue of the pets that Vets own and are forgotten / lost due to system restrictions. Help us help as many Vets and their Petssm as possible. Foster, donate, attend the garage sale or pass along this information. Help us help them.
The link to Vets and their Pets is not working!