Pets for Vets nonprofit celebrates 15 years of helping veterans

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A local nonprofit has been helping veterans meet their perfect match — one that comes in the form of a shelter animal.

Clarissa Black, founder of Pets for Vets , said it all began when she went to her local VA with her therapy dog, Bear. Since many of her family members served in the military, she has always had a passion for serving the nation’s veterans.

It was at that local VA when she said everything changed.

“It was just a moment, that eureka moment that sparks that says, ‘Well, why is therapy one hour once a week inside the walls of the VA? Why can’t I use my skills and talents to find the right dog?'” Black said. “I can train them, reduce that stress of getting a new animal and create this connection so that they can take this therapy, this good feeling home with them 24-seven.”

Shortly after, Pets for Vets took off. The process begins when a veteran applies. Then, Pets for Vets sends a trainer to get to know the veteran and get a sense of what they are looking for in a dog.

“Then, we go out to the shelters and the rescues, and we look for the dog that’s going to match that individual veteran,” Black said.

She said they look at many dogs, getting a feel for them and seeing if the personalities and behaviors will mesh.

“If we think it’s going to be a good fit, we’ll adopt the dog,” Black said. “They’ll go to the home of the trainer who will then spend the time working with them with positive reinforcement training, which is built on relationship and trust-based training so that our dogs are really a part of the family.”

At this point, the veteran still hasn’t seen the dog. Black said this is all part of what they call the “super bond.”

“It encompasses the way that we select our animals, the way that we prepare our veterans, the way that we prepare our animals, the positive reinforcement training that is based on the relationship we teach our clients,” Black said.

Once the training is complete, the veteran and their brand new dog will meet for the first time.

“This is the first time that they’re seeing each other, and you get that warm little furry body next to you and maybe in your lap, maybe a little kiss on the cheek and then the rest is history,” Black said.

It’s a simple thing, but Black said in 15 years of the organization’s history, she has seen lives change.

“I’ve had veterans who have had difficult times going outside, or just interacting with their own family or feeling connected, and then after getting their dogs, seeing the world through the eyes and the nose of their own dog,” said Black.

At the end of the day, she said it is her way of saying thank you to the country’s heroes.

“Make sure they know that they haven’t been forgotten and there is hope and there is unconditional love out there and there’s community for them,” Black said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.