Adams County is home to roughly 7,000 veterans. With September being Suicide Prevention Month and the Governor’s challenge to prevent suicide, let’s consider the Operation Foster: No Pet Left Behind. For many veterans and service members, seeking help during a time of crisis can be a difficult and emotional decision. For some people however, there is an additional barrier standing in the way. The service member may have a beloved pet waiting at home.
Operation Foster was created to make sure veterans, service members, and their families never have to choose between getting the help they need and keeping a beloved pet.
Every day, veterans enter PTSD treatment, service members prepare for deployment and patients begin lengthy hospitalizations. During these times, temporary pet care can become an overwhelming concern. Without a trusted friend, family member, or other safe option, some people delay treatment. They may decline hospitalization or struggle with deployment because they have nowhere for their pets to go.
Gisele Barreto Fetterman, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development of Operation foster said, “The organization recognizes that a temporary crisis should not have to mean giving up a lifelong companion.” “The non-profit helps to keep families and their pets together.”
Founded in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, in 2011, formerly PACT for Animals, has helped more than 3,500 pets through its foster-care efforts. The PA based organization has expanded across all 50 states. Operation Foster provides temporary foster solutions for pets. At no cost to veterans, it creates temporary foster homes so their owners navigate deployment, hospitalization, or other crisis.
Barreto Fetterman said, “this largely overlooked issue sits at the intersection of veteran wellness, mental health, housing stability, healthcare, and animal welfare. When people are forced to choose between seeking help and keeping their pets, the consequences can include delayed treatment, worsening mental health, and unnecessary shelter surrender.” She added, “the stories reveal a gap in America’s support systems that few people recognize until they face it themselves. Supporting the well-being of local veterans has become a high priority through initiatives such as PA VETConnect and the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide.” “How many lives could be changed—or even saved—if no veteran had to choose between getting help and keeping their pet?”
For veterans experiencing PTSD, depression, isolation or another mental health crisis, a pet can be much more than a companion. A dog or cat can provide comfort, routine, unconditional love and a reason to keep moving forward. The fear of losing that connection should never be another obstacle to seeking treatment. In addition to cats and dogs, Operation Foster helps temporarily house other animals, too. Barreto Fetterman said “last week we helped foster Oscar the duck which went viral.” See Oscar’s video clip:
https://www.wnct.com/news/north-carolina/operation-foster-seeks-foster-home-for-oscar-the-duck/amp
Operation Foster’s work is particularly meaningful during Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide prevention is about more than responding to a crisis. It is also about removing barriers that may prevent someone from reaching out for help in the first place. As Operation Foster’s slogan says, Consider being a hero for our heroes and donate funds, volunteer, or help advocate.
For additional information contact:
Gisele Barreto Fetterman
Director of Strategic Partnerships & Development
201.532.1722