HOUSTON – Paws For Heroes, a Houston-based nonprofit, is looking for short-term foster homes to help them continue to provide emotional support dogs to veterans with PTSD.
The dogs are handpicked from local animal shelters after passing several behavioral tests, making sure they’re well-socialized and have the temperament needed to be a good match. From the shelter, they go straight into a foster home for 30 days, are then transfer to a board-and-train facility before heading to their forever home.
Former Army Captain Tedd Schonsheck speaks frequently about Paws For Heroes and the life-changing benefits of an emotional support dog.
“We rescued each other,” Schonsheck says.
Schonsheck, a West Point graduate, served in the Army from 2004 to 2009, deploying to Iraq in 2007. When he returned to civilian life after being honorably discharged, his first support dog helped him get through it. When that dog passed away at the age of 12, his wife helped him search for his next companion animal.
“I had that void in my life and in my heart that I didn’t know what to do with. Luckily I have an amazing wife and she was able to find Paws For Heroes.”
Through Paws For Heroes, Schonsheck was matched with Dougie, a Belgian Malinois mix who was a perfect fit from the moment they met. Paws For Heroes picked Dougie from Houston Humane Society after he was rescued from a cruelty case. When they met him, they knew he would be a great candidate for their program and he’s been with the Schonsheck family for three years now.
Co-founder, Jan Potts, says the impact this has is lifechanging.
“At least one veteran told us the Paws For Heroes dog saved his marriage because his PTSD was so bad,” she says. “Another veteran said he was literally on the verge of suicide and when he got his dog, his whole perspective on life changed.”
If you or a veteran you know is interested in applying for a Paws For Hero support dog, or to volunteer as a short-term foster, visit Paws for Heroes | Companion Dogs for Houston Vets