Pets for Vets Announces Donation Drive By PAL Bantam III Hockey Team

March 26, 2014 - PRLog -- Long Island, NY – The New York City Long Island Chapter of Pets for Vets announced that the donations raised during a holiday drive would be going to benefit a newly rescued dog named Georgia, who is currently being trained to provide companionship for a local Vietnam Air Force veteran.

The team of 13 year old boys, who play Bantam III ice hockey in the PAL hockey association, conducted a holiday drive during December at their home arena, the Rinx Skating Center in Hauppauge, NY, to collect needed items for the Pets for Vets Chapter’s welcome package, which is given to each veteran during the presentation of the dog or cat to the vet. These items include leashes, collar, food, crate, and other items needed to take care of the animal for the first six months.

This particular welcome package will be accompanying Georgia, a beagle rescued from Brookhaven Animal Shelter, when she has completed her training and is placed with a veteran known as Senior Airman Dave, a resident of Suffolk County, NY.

Pets for Vets New York City Long Island chapter director Tanya Liard praises these 13 year olds, saying, “At a time when most kids their age are concentrating on Christmas/ Hanukah for themselves and their families, these boys helped to raise awareness and donations for our charity. They embody the spirit of what Pets for Vets is about, and that’s helping to save lives of both shelter animals and the veterans who served our country. It was a remarkable thing that they did, taking time out to help both Senior Airman Dave and Georgia. This welcome package will have that much more meaning and is another step in bringing our newest pair together.”

The New York City Long Island Chapter of Pets for Vets (http://pets-for-vets.com/category/northeast/nycli/) is part of the nationwide organization Pets for Vets, which places rescued dogs and cats with military veterans of all eras. By utilizing shelter animals to be trained and provide emotional companionship for veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and a host of physical ailments, Pets for Vets saves two lives with every match. The chapter director can be reached at petsforvetsnycli@gmail.com or 347-762-0280.