'Pets for Vets' 5K June 7 Helps to Pair Veterans with Therapy Dogs

Veterans returning from active duty bear scars—emotional, psychological, and physical—and one organization has set out to ease the burden. 

Pets for Vets seeks to heal the emotional wounds of military veterans by pairing them with a shelter animal that is specially selected to match his or her personality. A 5K planned for Saturday, June 7 in Orland Park will raise funds toward the mission. 

"We believe our country owes military veterans a debt of gratitude. Our soldiers have been brave but many of them have returned with physical and emotional injuries that have made it difficult to transition back to civilian life," according to the Pets for Vet website. "Needy shelter animals receive a second chance at life while giving our returning soldiers a second chance at health and happiness. The bonds of friendship formed between man and animal have the power to ease the suffering of our troops when they return from overseas."

The 5K starts at 9 a.m., at Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave. in Orland Park. Entry fee is $30 and all proceeds go to Pets for Vets. Participants can bring pets along for the run. All runners get a T-shirt, some free supplements, samples and can win prizes after the race.

Register online through Friday, June 6. Packet pickup will be available from 7 to 8 a.m. on race day, at Centennial Park, 15600 West Ave. in Orland Park. Free Parking available in the 153rd Metra lot adjacent to event site. Spayed/neutered dogs 6 months or older are welcome, on a six-inch or shorter non-retractable leash, with current ID and rabies vaccination.