Happy tails:
Special treatment for vets, pets
Nestor Lujan has been with El the Siberian husky for each of the dog’s 14 years.
El and Lujan ate together atvolunteers of America Bill Daniels Veteran Services Center on Saturday. El had just finished a free checkup in which Colorado State University veterinarian students gave him his shots and checked his heart, eyes, ears and mouth. He had a clean bill of health— a relief tolujan, who is homeless.
“Itmeans a lot to me,” Lujan said, pausing as he got emotional. “To know that he’s well helps.”
Lujan, who served in the Army, was one of the people being assisted at the second annual Ainsley Priceday of Service forveterans, during which veterans can bring in their pets for free checkups and microchip implants, receive their own heart evaluation and leave with a bag full of bowls, leashes and toys for their pets.
Although last year’s event was only for homeless veterans, this year’s program was open to all veterans.
“This programis away of recognizing and appreciat- ing the service of these veterans and the relationship with their pets,” event originator Aubrey Lavizzo said. “Sometimes that’s all they’ve got.”
Lavizzo, a veterinarian who owns the Center for Animalwellness, said dogs often serve as emotional support for veterans. This is especially true for those experiencing homelessness, he said, telling the story of a veteran from last year who chose to stay on the streets instead of taking housing that wouldn’t let him keep his dog.
“The greatest thing about this program is to most of these people, we can say, ‘Your dog is fine,’ ” he said. “And most people have never heard that.”
CSU veterinarians and Bel-rea Veterinary Technician Training students performed the checkups. Lavizzo said the programis a good opportunity for students to learn how to work with people and to meet the veterans community.
The event is named in honor of Ainsley Price, a girlwho loved helping people and animals. The first event was held just a few months after Price committed suicide at age 20. Another free checkup day is scheduled fornov. 4 in honor of Veterans Day.