Dogs on Deployment: Making a Difference for Military Families
Imagine the stress of being deployed on a military assignment or lifesaving mission, not knowing who will care for your beloved pet in your absence. This is the heartbreaking reality faced by countless military personnel, first responders, and their families—often leaving them with no choice but to consider giving up their pets or placing them in a shelter. Thankfully, Dogs on Deployment is stepping in to solve this issue. This incredible nonprofit is dedicated to supporting military families and first responders, ensuring no pet is left behind due to deployment. Through their tireless efforts, they’ve made a profound impact on the lives of service members, first responders, and their animal companions. In this blog post, we’ll explore their inspiring story, mission, and ways you can get involved to make a difference.
The Inspiration Behind Dogs on Deployment: A Personal Story
Dogs on Deployment was born out of a deeply personal experience for co-founder Alisa Sieber-Johnson and her husband, Shawn Johnson. Both active-duty military, they faced the difficult situation of being deployed at the same time, with no one available to care for their cherished dog, JD. Although they eventually found a solution, the stress and uncertainty they experienced highlighted a major gap in support for military pet owners. Determined to prevent other military families from facing similar dilemmas, Alisa and Shawn created Dogs on Deployment in 2011, a nonprofit organization that would serve as a nationwide network of volunteers offering pet care during deployment.
How Dogs on Deployment Works: A Lifeline for Service Members and First Responders
At the heart of Dogs on Deployment is a simple yet life-changing concept: connecting military members and first responders with volunteer foster homes for their pets. Through their user-friendly online platform, service members can quickly and easily find loving foster homes for their pets—whether they have dogs, cats, birds, or even reptiles. Knowing their pets are safe and well-cared for provides peace of mind during the challenging times of deployment.
But Dogs on Deployment goes beyond just finding temporary homes. The organization also provides financial assistance for pet care, resources to help with logistics, and a strong support network for military families facing deployment. Their commitment to alleviating the emotional and financial stress of pet care ensures that pets remain with their families, instead of being surrendered to shelters.
The Role of Foster Homes and Volunteers: How You Can Help
The success of Dogs on Deployment relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers who open their homes and hearts to military pets. By becoming a foster, you provide a lifeline for both the pet and the service member, ensuring that families can remain united, even when they’re physically apart. Volunteering as a foster home, or supporting the organization through donations, can have a profound impact on the lives of both the service members and their pets. Every contribution, whether it’s your time, skills, or financial support, helps to strengthen this vital network.
Foster volunteers provide more than just a temporary home—they give comfort, stability, and care to pets who miss their owners. And in return, these volunteers experience the joy of knowing they’ve made a tangible difference in the lives of heroes and their furry friends.
Supporting Military Families: A Call to Action
Dogs on Deployment embodies the spirit of service and community. The stories of military families touched by this organization are heartwarming, illustrating the deep bond between pets and their owners, and the relief these families feel when they know their beloved animals are in safe hands. As the backbone of our nation, military families make countless sacrifices, and Dogs on Deployment ensures that pet care doesn’t have to be one of them.
By supporting this incredible organization, you’re helping to keep families together—both human and animal—and providing crucial support to those who serve our country. Whether you can volunteer, donate, or spread the word, your involvement can change lives.
Listen and Learn: A Special Podcast Episode
To learn more about the incredible work Dogs on Deployment is doing and how you can be a part of it, tune in to our latest podcast episode, "Dogs on Deployment: Keeping Pets Safe While Heroes Serve." In this episode, we share inspiring stories of how this organization has impacted military families and how you can get involved. Listen here.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, visit Dogs on Deployment.
