Two Arizona-based organizations, Soldier’s Best Friend and the Arizona Humane Society, are supporting military families by ensuring veterans’ mental health and the well-being of their pets and service animals while they serve and beyond.
Project Active Duty is an AHS program launched in response to the 9/11 attacks. Partnered with PetSmart Charities and Credit Union West to provide foster care for the pets of deployed service members from all military branches, the initiative offers peace of mind to those on active duty who know their pets will be waiting for them when they return home.
Each year, the program sees anywhere from five to 10 pets needing support while their owners are deployed. Carrie Hughes, head of the AHS foster program, shared the story of Sabo, a 2-year-old husky who has been part of the program for over two years while his owner serves overseas…