Humane society program provides Pets for U.S. Vets
Hudson, a 4-year-old shih tzu adopted by Bill and Linda Garrett of Washington following a dog party to benefit Pets for U.S. Vets at the Washington Area Humane Society
Bill Garrett of Washington holds his dog Hudson.
When Bill Garrett first spotted Hudson, the tiny shih tzu was kicking a pit bull.
“It was like he was saying, ‘Bring it on big boy,'” said Garrett, chuckling at the memory.
Hudson made Garrett smile that day, and five years later, the little ball of fire is still bringing nothing but joy to Bill, his wife, Linda, and the couple’s 9-year-old mixed-breed dog, Gracie.
The Washington couple adopted Hudson from the Washington Area Humane Society, courtesy of a charitable program called Pets for U.S. Vets.
The program was organized by Suzi Smith of Washington, who, while volunteering as a walker and groomer at the Humane Society, noticed a sign on the door indicating the facility was filled to capacity.
“I thought, ‘Somebody should do something.’ Well, I’m somebody,” she said.
Smith got a sponsor – 84 Fitness Center, where she was employed as a fitness instructor – and support from the American Legion Riders, who jumped on board immediately after they heard her sales pitch, and began holding annual dog parties to finance a veterans fund and introduce veterans to animals at the Humane Society.
Others also have supported the cause, including American Legion Post 639 in Claysville, the Washington Festival Chorale and the Patriot Guard Riders.
In the first three years, the dog parties raised $30,000. Since then, Smith has been trying to spread the word, primarily through BPTV’s “Let’s Talk Tailwaggers.” She said close to 250 pets have been adopted during the last five years.
All veterans receive a pet at no charge, and the animals receive a year of free wellness checks. All of the pets are microchipped, spayed or neutered and up-to-date on vaccines.
“Veterans mean everything,” said Smith, whose husband, Jimmy, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. “It’s such a good program.”
Garrett, 74, won’t argue with that.
“It’s really for two, actually three, great purposes: the animals, the Humane Society and the community,” he said.
Garrett is a member of the American Legion Riders, and he said they continue to raise money for the Veterans Fund, sometimes donating money in honor of a veteran. However, without a sponsor, the cash flow isn’t as healthy as it once was.
“Suzi has tried so hard. It’s really, really a worthy cause,” Garrett said. “It’s really amazing. A lot of veterans might not have someone, or they have problems. It’s a godsend to get a pet.”
And Hudson is no longer just Hudson in the Garrett household. His full name is Hudson Elvis Lee Garrett.
“He has a tooth that when he grooms, he sneers the way Elvis did,” Garrett said. “He’s a character. He is so smart. He catches on real quick.”
Garrett added that pets, including Hudson and Gracie, always “make your day.”
“If you don’t smile at least once a day, there’s something wrong with you,” he said.
Donations for the Pets for U.S. Vets Fund are accepted by the Washington Area Humane Society. Checks should indicate the money is for US Pets for Vets.