Abandoned Dog Finds New Home Helping Combat Veterans

An abandoned 5-year-old cocker spaniel has found a new home and a new purpose in life helping military combat veterans recover from post traumatic stress disorder.

Laddie was adopted recently out of the Santa Cruz SPCA to serve as the house therapy dog at the Paget Center. The 12-bed residential facility helps homeless vets recover from their traumas and transition back into civilian life after serving on the battle field. The gentle, people-pleasing pooch immediately had a positive impact on residents.

"The mood in the house is lighter," said Lino Montes, the manager at Paget Center. "People who were withdrawn are coming out of their shells. They're taking an interest in walking and feeding him. It's amazing to see the transformation."

Laddie languished at the SPCA for months because he doesn't get along with other dogs. But when it comes to humans, he offers nothing but love and support. He has the run of the house at his new home, a large fenced in yard to play in, and has an uncanny knack for detecting when individuals need comfort.

"If he sees you're upset, he puts his head on your lap," Montes said.

The Paget Center is staffed by veterans who have been affected with PTSD, and understand the many challenges combat vets face.

Funded by the Veteran's Administration, the house operates under the auspices of Front Street Inc., a behavioral health agency, and provides 90 days of emergency shelter for homeless vets and a host of services. Along with individual counseling and group therapy, the Paget Center also helps veterans find jobs, housing and provides other services to help them re-engage with society.

The residential facility, which has been operating for 17 months, has a 98 percent success rate in helping veterans get their lives back on track, Montes said. As manager, Montes has the authority to provide any services his residents need.

NEW LEASE ON LIFE

 

When he realized the residents would benefit from a house dog, he contacted Mandi Hart, the assistant manager for the Santa Cruz SPCA and asked her to help. Hart recommended Laddie, who had become a staff and volunteer favorite at the shelter for his people skills, and brought him to the Paget Center for a visit.

Instantly popular, Laddie was adopted a few days later.

"I can't thank Ms. Hart for all the help and support she gave us," Montes said. "Laddie gets all the attention he wants and has a big house to run around in."

With a dozen different beds to sleep on, Laddie also seems to know who needs his company most. One of the residents who has struggled with severe insomnia brought on by PTSD said he was able to sleep through the night for the first time in years after Laddie arrived.

"It's awesome," said Anthony Uzzi. "The first night he was here he slept on my bed. It was the best sleep I've had in years. Having the dog in the room does help me because I'm not constantly listening to sounds. With Laddie, it's an extra set of ears that lets me stay asleep. He's got my back."

Like other residents, Uzzi said just petting Laddie helps reduce his stress. The dog also provides another set of ears for veterans to talk to about their experiences. While there is a 1 to 2 ratio of counselors to residents at the center, and staff members on site 24 hours a day, sometimes the men are more comfortable confiding in the dog.

"You can tell him anything and he's just going to give you that unconditional love," Uzzi said. "It really does help us heal."

Laddie also helps add a homey touch to the residential house.

"This place is about giving back the gift of life," said Kendra Cooley, the center's outreach coordinator. "It's a home, it's a family, it's a safe place and a springboard to the next path."

For a formerly homeless vet who struggled with chronic pain and depression after a traumatic brain injury he incurred while in the military, the center helped him heal, then hired him to help others.

"This place was a Godsend to me," said Ernie Soto. "It gave me back my drive, my desire and a purpose in life."

SPCA Helps Bring Hope to Hoarding Case Survivors

The faces of more than 100 adult dogs and puppies filled the backyard of a Madera home where they were living amidst their own filth and fighting over scraps of food for survival. The man who owned the home said he started out with four stray dogs and they began to produce litter after litter. According to a Madera County Animal Shelter volunteer, “They were attacking each other every minute because there was no food. There were dogs everywhere you looked, in every corner,
under every step, behind every turn.”

In situations like these, it’s hard not to let anger or judgment
creep in. However, as an organization dedicated to helping animals, the Santa Cruz SPCA put feelings aside and dove headfirst into the effort to save these precious lives. Time was of the essence because if rescues didn’t step in to get dogs out, the county would most certainly confiscate and euthanize them.

Within hours of discovery, a large group of dogs and even a few kittens were in a van headed to the Santa Cruz SPCA. In anticipation of their arrival, urgent foster home pleas were sent to every single person on our email list. Very little was known about body condition or health, but we wanted to be prepared for anything. Minutes after our emails were sent, an overwhelming show of support and foster offers flooded in. We were simply in awe of the level of compassion and willingness to give time, supplies, money and homes in order to aid our rescue efforts and give these animals
a fighting chance.

The animals arrived completely filthy, flea- and worm- infested, and suffering from numerous ailments from skin and eye issues to upper respiratory infections. They were met by a well- oiled group of staff and volunteers that, in minutes, vaccinated, de-wormed and de-flea’d all of the new arrivals. They were then sent to their foster homes with crates, food, and bedding to recoup, recover and relax.
In those foster homes these animals will live life like they’ve never lived before, and learn what it’s like to be truly loved and properly cared for. It will take time to get them well and a little more time
to get them adopted, but it’s clear that these cats and dogs are the survivors that we exist to save.
The value of a foster home, a donation, and even an adoption can be seen and felt in full force during efforts like these. It truly takes a village to “come to the rescue” and every helping hand is vital no matter how large or small. Our appreciation to all of our supporters runs deep, but to the animals, your support truly means life! This is the third hoarding case in two months from which we have saved animals, and it won’t be the last. We are extremely fortunate to have you by our side through it all.