Experience firsthand the inspiring and heartwarming bonds between wounded veterans and their service and companion animals. " Vets and Pets tells fifteen emotional and entertaining stories of the incredible bonds between wounded warriors, veterans, and other service members and their service and companion animals. Whether these special relationships are with dogs, cats, horses, pigs, or even birds of prey, readers will discover how these remarkable animals help veterans return to civilian life and live independently while simultaneously bringing joy and confidence into their lives. Tyler struggled to adjust to civilian life after losing both of his legs in Afghanistan, until he met his intelligent and willfully disobedient red European Doberman pinscher, Apollo. Vietnam veteran Patrick regained a sense of well-being and hope through the study of birds of prey. Max the horse has helped numerous veterans learn to trust, improve their communication, and increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Mandi discovered that the intelligence and unconditional love of pigs were exactly what she needed to heal from an abusive past and a disappointing army-training injury. These are just a few of the uplifting stories that are featured in this striking collection. In addition to exploring the unique, lifelong bonds that can develop between veterans and their animal companions, Vets and Pets spotlights extraordinary nonprofits that unite wounded warriors with service and companion animals, including Pets for Patriots, Hooves Marching for Mercy, Horses Helping Heroes, and Avian Veteran Alliance, among others. A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Pets for Patriots. "These stories will make you laugh and, of course, cry—and if you don't have one, they will make you desperately wish for a pet...So enjoy this wonderful book."—from the Foreword by former First Lady Barbara Bush, founder of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy "As someone who has seen first-hand the special significance of service pets and how they truly bring a healing joy to our service members, this new book Vets and Pets: Wounded Warriors and the Animals That Help Them Heal , by Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris, illustrates their enduring bonds. I'm hopeful that this book will also bring awareness to the great non-profit programs that support our warriors, and the dedicated Americans who care about our heroes both human and animal. Together, they help each other heal from the visible and invisible wounds of war."—Gary Sinise, award-winning actor, veterans' advocate, and founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which serves our nation's defenders and their families "Thank you to Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris for this compilation of compelling stories created in an effort to raise awareness about the many benefits of encouraging and facilitating animal adoptions for members of the military community."—from the Foreword by Andrea Arden, Animal Planet's pet expert and New York City's best dog trainer, as named by New York magazine and the Daily News "Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris have tapped into one of the most important ways in which wounded troops are managing to heal by leaning on their pets. In some cases these highly trained dogs sniffed out mines and saved troops' lives in the war zone. Now they are literally saving those lives again as these warriors learn to navigate back home. A poignant tale of survival and resilience."—Jennifer Griffin, FOX News " Vets and Pets is filled with moving stories about the wounds our warriors suffer, not all of them physical, and the way their pets and service animals help make them whole again. The vets Guerin and Ferris profile have served their country with courage and honor; the pets they profile have loved and protected these vets when they are most vulnerable. You will finish this book understanding how a love of animals makes us more human."—Peter Collier, New York Times bestselling author of Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty "We pet owners have long known the medicinal value that comes from loving animals. No wonder, then, that many of our returning veterans, themselves facing the gravest of injuries, have found solace and a path toward mental health from the company of service dogs and companion animals. In Vets and Pets , Dava Guerin and Kevin Ferris provide an uplifting collection of 14 stories about wounded warriors and those who have aided their rehabilitation: Tessa, the cat; pigs Darwin, Greta and Sir Gaddy; Max the horse; a pit bull named Cossack; Crixus, a German shepherd pit bull mix; Isaac, a golden Labrador mix; and many more. Vets and Pets is an overdue salute to American heroes—those who have worn the uniform of their country—and the four-legged friends with whom they have bonded on the road to recovery."—Michael Smerconish, radio and TV host, columnist, New York Times bestselling author "Most of us cannot