Boise Id Chapter Pets For Vets

Pets For Vets Boise

Mission

We enrich the lives of Veterans by creating a Super Bond® with custom trained working animals.

Boise Chapter is a
Nonprofit Organization

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+ We serve Veterans in Boise, ID and the surrounding areas.

About Our Chapter

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.

Matches From Boise,
ID Chapter

Michael and Jar Jar

A week before Thanksgiving in 2016, Michael McIntosh connected with Jar Jar, a union bringing joy to them both. Michael is a veteran, a Marine who has struggled...

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News

How shelter dogs are helping U.S. veterans battle PTSD

May 4, 2016
Yahoo Global News anchor Katie Couric explores a new way of treating veterans with PTSD using shelter dogs.

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Pets for Vets: Pairing Veterans and Rescue Pets for one Amazing Bond

This Veterans Day, we recognize one organization that does incredible work by bringing veterans and rescue pets together. Pets for Vets has grown to include over 30 chapters across the US and continues to grow. Here is our Q&A with the Founder of Pets for Vets, Clarissa Black.

View News

Past Events

Hilltop Fundraiser

To support the Boise Chapter and raise funds to help rescue shelter animals and train them for veterans with PTSD and TBI, giving a second chance to both veterans and shelter animals; all at no cost to the veteran.

Sponsors

A huge thank you to our sponsors! Without your support our chapter wouldn't be possible.

Support Pets for Vets Boise

Pets for Vets is thrilled to serve Veterans in your area. If you would like to become a supporter of Pets for Vets Boise and for your organization’s name, logo, seal, or information to appear on this page, please contact
sponsors@petsforvets.com.

"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

"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

"He's my best friend and I love him.He saved my life and I believe I'm saving his life."

- Alfred and Louie

He's my special dog.

He's done wonders for me as a Veteran.

- Tim and Louie

Roxy provides a sense of security through our connection. Roxy helped me graduate.

- Brandon and Roxy

I adopted Gigi and she adopted me. The two oi is bonded like you would never believe. All can say is, 'who saved who?'

- Corey and Gigi

Ranger became my constant, comforting companion. It was an instant connection.

- Jose and Ranger

"She is more than he dog she is my partner in healing"

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Davis and Lady

"Ozzie has made my life better."

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Rich and Ozzie

"Since l've had Gunner I have had no nightmares and can sleep through the night."

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Lori and Gunner

"He has helped me emotionally with my depression and PTSD. He lies right next to me when I sleep and I haven't had nightmares since. He and I go everywhere together. He is my new battle buddy."

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Cody and Quincy

"She gave me the strength to carry on. I truly believe she rescued me."

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Chris and Princess

"Bob has brought light and joy into my life He Is the best and really is great therapy."

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James and Bob

"Spyder was very crucial in my healing process. "Spyder was that saving grace that centered me again and brought me back. All of my needs were met in Spyder. He is the raddest dog ever."

- Leif and Spyder

"You found me the bestest friend I have had."

- Daiana and Bravo

"Enzo is the perfect dog for me, for us! He even valks like me!'

- Justin and Enzo

"He Is more than a friend. He's sometimes more in tune to me than I am in tune to me.

The magic is in the match."

- Adam and Rakkasan

"I feel different already."

- Lenny and Kaye

Wrangler stops my panic attacks when driving.

He helps me from having nightmares.

- Steve and Wrangler

"DD rescued me and saved my life. I'm so happy to be with her. 22 Veterans take their own lives, without Pets for Vets and Clarissa, I would be just another statistic."

- Blade and DD