Chicagoland Illinois Chapter

Pets For Vets Chicagoland

Mission

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

Chicagoland Chapter is a
Nonprofit Organization

+ We serve Chicago and the surrounding collar counties, including DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

About Our Chapter

Pets for Vets Chicagoland is a local chapter of the national organization, Pets for Vets, and is a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to providing a second chance for shelter pets by rescuing, training and pairing them with America's veterans who could benefit from having a companion animal. The Pets for Vets Chicagoland Chapter serves veterans in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Will Counties.

Our staff
Roger Rosenquist - Chapter Director
Ray Valadez - Events and Fundraising Manager

Rachel Fein - Trainer
Carla Wagner - Trainer
Deb Plowman - Trainer
Brandi Calvert - Trainer
Jamie Merlo - Trainer
Kimm Hunt - Trainer
Ali Phillips - Trainer

Matches From Chicagoland
IL Chapter

LaDena and Marley

Our last match for 2019 was on December 21st. Pets For Vets trainer, Montana Hayes completed the match with U.S. Army Veteran, LaDena Ingram after first meeting...

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Thomas and Rocky

While serving with the U.S. Marine Corps from July 1973 to June of 1975, Lance Corporal Thomas Manley was deployed to both Vietnam and Cambodia where he assiste...

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John and Blue

Meet John and Blue — The first match in Chicagoland!

Read Story

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.

View News

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.

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Events

2021 Combined Veterans Luncheon & Expo

August 7, 2021. Berwyn - Proska Park

We will be attending the event with a table.
Please stop by and visit to learn more about us.

View Event

Bikram Yoga Studio Fundraiser

Memorial Day Weekend, from May 26th through May 28th, 2018, the Bikram Yoga Studio in Rolling Meadows will be hosting a donation drive to raise funds for Pets for Vets Chicagoland. All money received on those days will go directly to Pets for Vets Chicagoland. If you’ve wanted to learn more about the benefits of “hot yoga”, now is your chance! You can check our class times, join a class, honor our veterans, and feel good inside and out! More information is available on Bikram's Yoga site.

Chicago Red Stars "Bark in the Park"

On Sunday, July 1, 2018, Pets for Vets Chicagoland partnered with the Hinsdale Humane Society to participate in the Chicago Red Stars Soccer Team “Bark in the Park” event at Toyota Park located in Bridgeview Illinois. You and your dog are both invited to enjoy a pre-game Pet Fun Fest, receive a pup friendly gift, and stay on to watch the Chicago Red Stars face off against the Washington Spirit for an exciting National Women’s Soccer League game! A portion of each ticket purchased through our sponsored website will be donated by the Red Stars to our organization.

Reagan's 7th Birthday

Reagan mastered the unselfish act of generosity to others at a very young age. He comes from a family with a strong military background and wanted his seventh birthday money and gifts to benefit a local organization that worked with both Veterans and dogs. Reagan asked his party guests to donate to Pets for Vets Chicagoland instead of giving him presents. We are honored that Reagan chose to support Pets for Vets Chicagoland and appreciate the support from Reagan and his guests, who raised an impressive sum that will go a long way towards a Veteran-pet match.

Blum Animal Hospital

Blum Animal Hospital, located in the Lakeview neighborhood, held an item drive for Pets for Vets Chicagoland. Our car was packed to the brim with items, and we were incredibly grateful to the staff and customers for their generosity!

Pet Grooming by Amy Fundraiser

For two days in 2012, Amy Painter, the owner of Pet Grooming by Amy in Kansasville, WI, turned her business upside down for a dog wash fundraiser. She invited her loyal clients and friends to bring their pets and support Pets for Vets Chicagoland. Through her hard work (along with the hard work of everyone involved), they were able to raise $400!

Sponsors

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

Support Pets for Vets Chicagoland

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

Thank you Another Wild Goose Chase for your donation and being a multi-year sponsor of Pets For Vets-Chicagoland and sharing your dog training expertise with us. In particular we are grateful for having some of your dog trainers and handlers support our organization.

www.wildgoosechasers.com

Thank you to the students, staff and community of Hubble Middle School for your generous donation and becoming a sponsor for 2023! Your support is truly appreciated and we look forward to growing our relationship.

www.cusd200.org/hubble

We are thankful for our partnership with this organization and their willingness to be a sponsor. We are also grateful to be included as a participant in their annual Luncheon and Expo event. Their mission "to assure Veterans are not forgotten" is one we can totally support.

https://combinedveterans.org/

"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