12 Year Old Boy Helps Raise Over $900 For Local Nonprofit Pets for Vets NYC Long Island

April 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Manhasset, NY – Pets for Vets NYC Long Island revealed that 12-year-old Munsey Park student Joseph VanderVereSarlanis raised the funds necessary to pay for a new animal welcome package that accompanies all rescued companion animals when they are presented to a veteran in the program.

In December, 12 year old Joseph VanderVereSarlanis, a resident of Manhasset, NY, collected the funds necessary to sponsor a complete welcome package for a young Labrador mix named Savannah. The welcome package, which is given to each veteran during the presentation of the dog or cat to the veteran, includes leashes, collar, food, crate, and other items needed to take care of the animal for the first six months.

Savannah was presented to Sgt. Dennis, a Marine veteran who completed five tours of duty in Iraq, and was in need of a companion dog for emotional support. Savannah was rescued from a high kill shelter and had been heart worm positive. Pets for Vets treated the medical issues and trained the dog for her new role as a support companion. Joseph was in attendance during the presentation of Savannah to Sgt. Dennis on January 7^th, receiving thanks from the new pair.

Pets for Vets NYC Long Island chapter director Tanya Liard thinks that Joseph’s efforts deserved special notice, saying, “This 12 year old did more than just raise money for a charity. He truly helped to change and save two lives, in this case Sergeant Dennis and Savannah. Joseph gave us a wonderful gift and I’m not sure that he is fully aware of just how special it is.”

Pets for Vets NYC Long Island (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 to 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 at 347-762-0280.