Allen J. Ghimenti, a Thousand Oaks resident and a Vietnam veteran who served in the 101st Aviation Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army and was past National President of the 101st Airborne Association, first learned of MAP when a friend told him about the organization after his dog of 15 years passed away.
Allen was matched with Jetstar. Jetstar, a Lab/German Shepherd mix, was adopted from the Lancaster Animal Care Center, one of six centers operated by the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control.
“I was looking for a companion, a dog who could go on walks with me to help me lose weight,” said Allen. “While it’s a lengthy process to get a emotional support dog because of all the training and protocol involved, I would definitely recommend it to other veterans out there who may be in need. Having a dog — another living creature who helps me focus on today — is very important because Jetstar has needs, it forces me to live in the now and keeps me in touch with reality.”
The match process can take one to three months, depending on the veteran’s needs and the dog. Once the application is received, it is thoroughly reviewed by the the Director of Operations and approval is sought from the veteran’s therapist to ensure he or she is ready to care for a pet. The trainer then meets with the veteran to assess his or her needs and pet preferences. Upon completion of that step, the trainer searches shelters and pet rescues to find the right breed, size, temperament and behavior that would be best suited for the veteran. “This part of the process can take a lot of time,” explained Bob Horrell, the trainer who matched Allen and Jetstar. “We try to ensure we aren’t picking a pet that has any existing behavioral, aggression or anxiety issues that need correcting before the training can commence.”
All out of pocket costs from adoption fees, veterinary care, licensing, microchipping, spay/neuter is paid for by MAP. In addition, MAP provides the veteran a Product Welcome Kit that includes everything from a collar/leash to a bed, crate, toys, treats and grooming items with a value of nearly $500.
