Another Brainstorm for my Rescue

United States
August 2, 2012 8:01pm CST
Many of you know that I am planning on starting my own animal rescue sometime in the future. And I'm always brainstorming and coming up with things for it, even though it's years away from even being written up. But I've recently thought of something else I'd like to do with it, and I wanted to run it by you. I'd like to run a program out of my rescue called "PTSD Pups." This program would obviously be aimed toward soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (I'm sure we've all read the reports that there are higher numbers of suicides among soldiers then there are combat deaths). With my PTSD program I'd like to try and lower that number. Here's what would be involved in this program: -Even though it's called "PTSD Pups," this program would include any animal I have at my rescue (Cat's, and possible small mammals/birds/reptiles). -Adoption fee's would be completely waived for soldiers who are suffering from PTSD. Financial support (regarding animal products/needs) as long as they need. -Continued check ups on the soldiers and their new pet. To make sure a bond is being formed, and the soldier is doing okay. That's all I've come up with so far, and yes I do understand that this would require a lot of finances on my part. That's why I would set up a seperate donation fund for this program. And I know it may take a while to build up those donations to help even my first soldier, but I think it'll be worth it! Even if I just help one! What do you guys think?
2 people like this
7 responses
mr_pearl
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
3 Aug 12
Where do you get such brilliant ideas? Wow... That is way too great idea, Lily... There're difficulties, of course... I think you should begin on a small scale. And moreover, make it available for everyone. And keep it free for soldiers.. That way, your organization will have a little income of your own. And you won't have to depend upon the fund raiser. If you've to begin on a large scale, then you'll need to seek help from the local magnets or Govt... Good Luck!
mr_pearl
@mr_pearl (5018)
• India
4 Aug 12
oh... I wanted to suggest to make it available for all- for a certain fee... And waive the fees for the soldiers... :). Making it free for all, would not help and it'll be a terrible loss too... So just waive for the soldiers... I've a huge respect for marines... I'd have loved to be an American Marine, but God sent me to India... :-( Your plan is humanitarian and great... God bless you Missy.. Wish I could be helpful to you, somehow... :-)
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
4 Aug 12
Oh I would make the animals available to everyone, adoptions fees would be the way I make most of my money for the rescue. But the program "PTSD Pups" would just be a branch off of my rescue. I was thinking maybe for any soldier (or retired soldier) would get a discounted fee, but the PTSD suffers would get the fee waived, and all the other goodies listed above. Hows that sound? I'm sure you did your part in the world! No regrets right?? Thank you pearl
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
3 Aug 12
Thank you pearl I don't expect to start any of this on a big scale. And I plan on keeping my rescue small anyways, because I want to work on saving animals with behavioral problems that I'll need to work with them on. So I plan on only taking in 4-5 dogs to work with at a time, and between 15-20 cats (all of who can fit in the room design I have for the cats-cage free). I'm also considering adding seperate space to house pit bulls, since they're are so many in need of rescuing, but I'll still only take in 4 or 5 of them at a time. And all the animals would have seperate buildings (dogs in one building, cats in another). And nothing huge, not like they each have their own house! Just enough space to fit them! ANYWAYS!! Back to the topic! Haha. What do yu mean I should make this available to everyone? You mean waive the adoption fees for everyone? Then I would never get any money to continue my rescue! Haha
thezone
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
5 Aug 12
That is a very good idea, pets are therapeutic. We need more people in this world like you
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
5 Aug 12
Aww thank you But I think they broke the mold with me. It shattered like a raw egg!!! There was a big mess everywhere! Haha!
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
6 Aug 12
You're bad!!! And no that's okay! Raw egg will make you sick! Haha!
thezone
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
6 Aug 12
Want me to lick it up Cause I would
carmelanirel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I love it, but like you said, it will be costly, so unless many donate or a few donate a lot, it will be difficult to accomplish.. But it wouldn't hurt to set it up, see where it goes..:)
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
4 Aug 12
I really hope it works out! Like I said, even if I help just one it'll be totally worth it! Thanks Carm! Hopefully I'm up for the challenge!!
1 person likes this
carmelanirel
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
5 Aug 12
You'll be fine, I know you will...
SomeCowgirl
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I think that it is an excellent idea! Simply wonderful! You'll have to make sure when you write it up that any animal can be adopted out to the soldier in need. I am sure a lot of people would donate to that alone to help out a soldier or their family in need of an animal to help cope with coming back from a war...
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
3 Aug 12
Thank you Cowgirl When I start writing all my stuff up for my rescue I will def. have a lot of details for my plans so there's no confussion! I'm hoping that since I'm helping both animals and people, I'll get a lot of support for it. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
BabyCheetah
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
3 Aug 12
I think it's a really sweet idea. Maybe you can get companies to be sponsors of this as well so you will be able to have the money for your program. I'm sure many businesses would love to help
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
3 Aug 12
That's a good idea! But I've heard that some companies want you to be open for at least a year before they'll sponsor you, because it shows you are successful and trustworthy. Would be great if I could find sponsors early on!! But the fact that I'd be helping animals and people, I may be able to find more sponsors/donors. Thanks!
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
5 Aug 12
Yep that's def a good idea. First I have to make sure I can keep my rescue open, then I can start getting creative with other things to do with it! Haha. It doesn't help being impatient in a situation like this!
BabyCheetah
@BabyCheetah (1911)
• Australia
5 Aug 12
Well get your business together and have everything set up so you know that you will have enough money to stay in business and then try to find some sponsors willing to take a risk. As long as you have this all planned out to workthey should be willing to help hopefully Welcome
skyandgrassplot
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
3 Aug 12
Dear LilyoftheThorns,your are really a kind and nice guy,I heard many news about the Traumatic soldiers,they devote their the most precious youth time and get such a pain,so I think our society should have the responsible to rescue them.I think the idea to make a donation fund is clearly right,and I think may be you should share your idea with government and acquire their support,then your job will operate smoothly.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
3 Aug 12
Thank you for your nice words sky It would be really great if I can get some government funding when I need it. Hopefully the economy here will be better by then!
asyria51
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I really like that idea. Since it appears that the world is never going to be at peace, at least in my life time, there will always be men and women who are serving our country in less than idealistic placements and who will survive and witness atrocities. I know that animals can be very beneficial to the elderly, and I would assume that they would be beneficial to a soldier just returning from war.
LilyoftheThorns
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
3 Aug 12
Yes, I have read multiple articles about soldiers suffering from PTSD, and then they adopted a dog and they said it literally saved their life. A soldier in that situation even wrote a book about his experience, it's called Until Tuesday. If you haven't heard of it before, I recommend it. It's a real eye opener. I would just like to do more for our military...I have sent care packages and letters...I've donated money to the Wounded Warrior Project. This is just another thing I would like to do to really help them. Thanks asyria!