This weekend, Helen Woodward Animal Center salutes our military with an “Animals for Armed Forces 4-Day Event.” In partnership with Animals for Armed Forces Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to uniting orphan pets with military heroes, adoption fees will be covered for approved military families, while supplies last.  In previous years the event has run Saturday through Monday, but based upon the incredible success of the patriotic promotion, Helen Woodward Animal Center is extending the special event to run all four days of the holiday weekend.  The special adoption promotion kicks off TODAY Friday, May 26th and runs through Monday, May 29th.  

The heartwarming event is just one way Helen Woodward Animal Center extends its gratitude towards the wonderful men and women who have served our country.  The unconditional love of a pet provides years of comfort, laughter, joy and devotion – crucial elements to assist military members and their families whose lives have been dedicated to dangerous careers and necessary bravery.  The families, in turn, are lifesavers to orphan pets longing to find their forever homes.

Proof of the symbiotic relationship between pets and the military can be seen in Helen Woodward Animal Center’s PET (Pet Encounter Therapy) program.  PET serves 60-70 veterans monthly (at the VA Hospital and the Hawthorne Center), utilizing therapeutic animals to help lower blood pressure, even breathing, improve memory and lift the spirits of wounded soldiers.  

Helen Woodward Animal Center also regularly assists the military through its AniMeals program, thanks to a partnership with the natural pet food company Blue Buffalo.  Last year, the program began providing pet food to wounded military clients with service dogs through the Recovery Care Coordinator Office (RCC) and the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), ensuring that food cost would not be a factor in keeping these beloved friends by the sides of the soldiers who depended on them.

Helen Woodward’s Companion Animal Hospital’s Military Fund also supports our military by offering free services to Active Duty Enlisted Military E-1 to E-7 or Disabled Military and their immediate family members including:  One free wellness exam; free vaccinations; and free spay and neuter procedures for up to two pets in the household per 12-month period.

Now for the fourth year, Helen Woodward Animal Center is proud to offer sponsored adoption fees to military families – this year, through a partnership with Animals for Armed Forces Foundation.  Both organizations share a belief in the wonderful healing quality of animals and Animals for Armed Forces Foundation’s mission is focused on saving the lives of orphaned pets by finding them safe and loving homes with Heroes of the US Armed Forces.  Each year, they team up with local animal shelters to provide Free Pet Adoption Days for current, former/retired and/or immediate family members of the: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.

“We are so grateful to Animals for Armed Forces Foundation for sharing our belief that the pairing of orphan pets and military families is a win-win relationship,” stated VP of Development Renee Resko.  “The wonderful men and women who serve our country protect the lives of our citizens and by adopting, they save the lives of an orphan pet.  In return, that pet gives them a lifetime of love, devotion and gratitude.”

Helen Woodward Animal Center encourages military families to find their furry new family member Friday, May 26th through Monday, May 29th.

For more information, please contact Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions Department at: 858-756-4117 ext. 313, visit www.animalcenter.org or stop by at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.