Are you or someone you know active duty or a veteran with a passion for pets? Our Paws & Stripes program is a unique opportunity for members of the military to come out and give a helping hand to our animal friends.
Paws & Stripes was inspired by a similar program at another animal shelter. Almost 20% of Jacksonville’s population is made up of current or former members of the military, making it the perfect fit for this program. Thanks to a grant from the Jaguars Foundation, Corporate Traffic Logistics, and others, the program was launched which included hiring a coordinator. Our Paws & Stripes Coordinator, Kevin Kane, is also a Veteran of the United States ARMY, and was a JHS volunteer!
Since its start in 2021, the program has grown to serve an amazing 75 active participants each year. Veteran members of the Jacksonville community are able to come and join us for a fun and fulfilling opportunity to help pets and the people who love them. Whether it’s helping walk the dogs, hanging out with the cats, greeting visitors looking to adopt, or career readiness, we’ve got a place for you.
“I am so proud of how much the JHS Paws & Stripes program has grown over the past two years. Being a small part of helping Veterans fulfill their desire for the selfless service they had while serving in the military and now, as a volunteer in animal welfare, is an extremely rewarding experience,” remarked Kane.
Interested in joining our Paws & Stripes Volunteer team? Learn more and sign up here.
But wait, there’s more…
Did you know that JHS also has a free program for Veterans, current members of the military, and military spouses, to help them find new careers working with animals? It’s called the Paws & Stripes Academy.
“I come from a military family and I am a Veteran myself, which helped me to directly understand how difficult it can be to transition from the military into civilian life,” said JHS CEO, Denise Deisler. “That’s why I am so proud that JHS can serve our community with this unique program, including the Paws & Stripes Academy!”
Members of the military interested in exploring a career in animal welfare or veterinary medicine can join us for this no-cost training involving animal care and career skills. Participants will receive a stipend during training, too!
Our next session for the Academy will be from October 2 – November 20, 2023. If you’re interested in joining a future session of our Paws & Stripes Academy, please email us at [email protected] or call 904-493-4583.
Read more via our Paws & Stripes feature in the Florida Times Union.