April 6, 2017 — Internationally renowned philanthropist and supporter of animal and veterans’ causes Lois Pope traveled to the nation’s capital last week to attend the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, a major new resource supporting the heroic men, women and animals of the Armed Forces.
“Lois Pope has devoted her life to creating a better world for America’s animals and America’s veterans,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane, the country first national humane organization, which has been first to serve both groups for more than 100 years. “The new Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs is a beacon of hope and support for America’s military and military animals that builds on her internationally recognized work in both animal rescue and veterans issues. The center works to bring home and reunite military dogs with their handlers, help veterans struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury by providing them with lifesaving service dogs, recognize the outstanding achievements of both our two-legged and four-legged military heroes, provide much-needed healthcare to retired military animals, and develop public policy to give veterans and their service dogs improved access to the very public spaces they fought to defend. This new center is a critically important addition in the nation’s arsenal to help veterans and military animals overcome the invisible wounds of war and win on the battlefield and the home front.”
The dedication ceremony took place at the national headquarters of American Humane, just down the street from the White House. Dozens of staffers, legislative VIPs, and photographers crowded around as Mrs. Pope and Dr. Ganzert cut a large red ribbon outside the offices of the new center’s national director.
“It is my unwavering commitment and life mission to ensure that the courageous men and women, and the equally courageous canines, who serve our country receive the best care, treatment and services that America has to offer. I’m honored to partner with American Humane to establish the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs to help fulfill this mission, to ensure that those who don the uniforms of our nation’s Armed Services, and their families, are afforded all that they deserve and have earned. That includes military hero dogs who can return home and continue to serve our country, helping veterans with PTSD, one of the many programs that are being offered by this new Center.”
Dr. Ganzert closed the ceremony with a heartfelt tribute to the woman who has done so much to build a better world, saying, “Lois, for so many years you have been a friend, a mentor, and an inspiration to me, to American Humane, and to the brave men and women of the armed services. We and the nation are indebted to you for your service to those who serve on the front lines every day, and we salute you!”
About American Humane
American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization, founded in 1877. Starting in 1916 when the U.S. Secretary of War asked American Humane to help rescue wounded war horses on the battlefields of World War I Europe, the organization has been supporting America’s military. Following World War II, American Humane worked to champion the use animal therapy to help returning veterans and military families cope with the invisible wounds of war. The opening of the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs opens a major new chapter in the fight to protect and support those who serve. For more information, please visit www.americanhumane.org.
