'Pets For Vets' Pairs Troubled Veterans With Dogs Left In Shelters

ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A unique approach matches up troubled veterans with companion dogs – and provides healing for both.

As TV 10/55 Long Island Bureau Chief Richard Rose reported Thursday, Pets for Vets is a new national organization that trains dogs locked up in crowded shelters to become soothing companions to veterans troubled by the horrors of war.

Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Perez takes all the kisses he can get from his round-the-clock companion, Bella. The lovably smart Stafford terrier is more than happy to go home with Perez and say goodbye to his former home, the Town of Islip Animal Shelter.

"Our mission is to help both shelter pets and military veterans have a second chance at a great life together," said Heidi Hoistad of Pets for Vets.

Perez served 10 years in several Middle East hot spots and is glad to be joined by Bella.

"My depression started to act up; anxiety. And that's when I started to go to the VA hospital, and I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder," he said.

Perez and his wife accepted Pets for Vets' offer to give them a shelter dog as a companion. A Pets for Vets volunteer then spent weeks trying to erase Bella's anxiety from living in the noisy shelter.

"Just a lot of loving in the beginning," said Marie Fisher, Bella's trainer. "They need to unwind from being in the shelter, so they just need a nice, quiet environment."

Perez and Bella only met for the first time a few weeks ago, but Perez said Bella already follows him everywhere.

"I don't sit in front of the TV 24 hours a day, seven days a week like I was doing there for a while," Perez said.

The Bronx native said he will have to go outdoors now to walk Bella, and that is a good thing.

"I need to learn how to smile more; get out of the house more; just get me get back in track," Perez said.

Pets for Vets said Perez is just the third veteran in the Tri-State Area to receive one of its shelter dogs as a companion.