This chapter serves Veterans in Boise, ID and the surrounding areas.
Meet Chapter Director Ellen Burnell
Ellen Burnell has loved music and animals all her life. Not only did she earn a BS in Music Therapy from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Campus but she is also trained in acutonics and is a Board Certified Music Therapist. She has been involved in Pets for Vets Boise since the chapter’s establishment in 2016 and has observed firsthand how the unconditional love of a dog can help a Veteran through difficult times while reintegrating into civilian life.
Professionally, Ellen is the owner of Waves of Wellness in Eagle, ID and has worked with children, adults and Veterans in a variety of settings, including the Boise VA skilled nursing home and acute psychiatric unit and an inpatient Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) program for Veterans. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the Humane Society and honoring Veterans as a member of the Eagle Field of Honor Committee for the last ten years.
Ellen and her best friend Barry have been married for 35 years and have two children, Jacquie and Chuck. Furry friends have also always been a part of their family. Currently, they have two dogs (Aesop and Kodiak) and two cats (Sammi and Polly) that were all rescue animals.
She is inspired by Dan Lipinski’s quote, ”On the battlefield the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return, we leave no Veteran behind.” Ellen believes that this quote is also pertinent to shelter animals and vows not to leave them behind. She looks forward to helping Veterans and rescue animals find their perfect companions through Pets for Vets Boise.
"He’s more than just a friend. He’s my battle buddy. He’s my left hand. We’re connected by a leash, but it’s really our umbilical cord. He’s sometimes more tuned into me than I’m tuned into me. He knows more about me than I do sometimes. He lets me know what’s going on."
– Adam
"You would think that a dog is just a dog. That may be true for some, but not me.
I used to sit at home, alone, and just let life pass me by, but now I have a reason to get up. Even if it’s feeding Samson, or taking him for walks, he has motivated me to live again."
– Luke
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