TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - A program at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona is aimed to help both animals and veterans.
The Pets and Their Heroes (P.A.T.H) Programs helps socialize dogs so they can get adopted, while veterans continue to serve. During the six-week program, veterans, active military service men and women, and their spouses can interact with the dogs for a few hours each week.
Shelter employees say strays might not have a lot of human contact making it hard for them to find forever homes. Interacting with the animals also helps veterans feel like they've accomplished something.
"It was very rewarding for me," said Blann. "I get to see these shelter dogs come in and within six weeks you definitely get to see a difference in their behavior."
Blann is an employee at the Humane Society, and participated in the P.A.T.H. pilot program.
"For veterans like myself who come out, it really does help us with patience," Blann said. "You have to take time with these dogs, you can't rush in to them. You have to slowly approach them."
Orientation for the next program is March 5.
For information about how to sign up, you can email Scott Riggs at sriggs@hssaz.org, or call (520) 321-3704.
