CT rescue fosters dogs from Middle East to help troops who saved them

For South Windsor resident Jessica Waterhouse, caring for animals is her life passion. Five years ago, she opened an animal sanctuary and recently three “very special” puppies were delivered to her doorstep from thousands of miles away. Waterhouse, whose son serves in the U.S. Army and is currently deployed to the Middle East, said a phone call with him earlier this year led her to fostering three puppies found outside her son’s Army base. The puppies, named Valkyrie, Jordan and Whiskey, are all now in Connecticut after being rescued from the Middle East.

“My son, who is currently deployed, called me up and said his unit had found these puppies,” Waterhouse said. “He said they’re looking for fosters and that there’s an organization called Paws of War that would arrange everything. I had heard about these puppies for a while from my son. He said they were bringing the whole base so much joy and were a real morale boost for everyone and didn’t want the puppies to get stranded.” New York-based nonprofit Paws of War, who helps veterans work through post-traumatic stress and trauma using animal therapy, helped with the rescue effort, Waterhouse said. The nonprofit also has a rescue ranch in Connecticut that assist veterans using equine therapy to help with stress, trauma and PTSD.

Many stray dogs in the Middle East have a life expectancy of only a few years, according to the nonprofit. They spend their lives searching for food, avoiding danger and rarely experience the safety of a home or the love of a family. “So when he asked if I would fill out the application to be a foster, of course I said yes,” Waterhouse said. “I knew I had to help rescue them.” Waterhouse founded Mazolu Animal Sanctuary in 2021, a nonprofit animal rescue in South Windsor, to heal and care for neglected, abused or abandoned animals. It sits on over four acres of land and runs on donations and volunteers. The idea, she said, is that while the soldiers continue their deployment, the puppies can be cared for until they can be reunited with the service members who saved their lives. The puppies were picked up by Paws of War in February before being dropped off at Waterhouse’s animal sanctuary on July 12, she said.

The puppies had to go through a quarantine period, receive medical care, evaluations and proper vaccinations, and await safe transport out of the Middle East. She said the war in Iran, which began in February, delayed the process of bringing them home. A fourth dog also came home to the family of one the soldiers who lives in Guilford, she said. “I have had them a month and they are the sweetest dogs,” Waterhouse said. “Once I sit down, they come right up to me. I cuddle with them all the time. They are just big fluffballs. “I kept the dogs separated from the other animals for a while to give them their space and not to overwhelm them,” she said. “Who knows what these dogs went through or seen? They are their own little pack right now, and I think it’s great they can adjust to the United States together.

When they landed in New York last month, that was the first time they had seen grass.” Waterhouse said slowly over the last month the puppies have been adjusting and getting more social. She said she has volunteers come to the animal rescue each week to purposefully socialize with them, helping them get introduced to new faces. She said that Valkyrie is the most fearless puppy with the most confidence, while Jordan and Whiskey are both a little shy. All three puppies are females, she said. “It’s the 3-3-3 rule for dogs, three days to decompress, three weeks to learn a new routine and three months to feel at home,” Waterhouse said. “They’re still in that feeling at home phase, but it’s been such a joy to see them relax and learn new routines and start to come out of their shells.” Waterhouse said her son, who is soon to return to the United States, will adopt Jordan. The other two dogs will be adopted by fellow service members who they bonded with when they were abroad.

“I can’t wait to see them reunited, it’s going to be a great reunion,” Waterhouse said. “I put one of his T-shirts with Jordan so he can remain familiar with him. I am so happy that I can help foster these dogs until they get adopted. Paws of War has been so great and helpful through this whole process. They made everything very smooth, and I cannot thank them enough for making this possible. “I think going forward, I would love to offer my animal sanctuary to military members who are deploying and have a dog that needs a temporary home,” Waterhouse said. “I would be able to take care of them until they return from deployment. I know my son is so excited to come home and see the puppy he saved. I can’t wait for them to be reunited.” Paws of War also operates other programs from its rescue ranch in Norwich. Veterans, first responders and their families participate in therapeutic programs there that strengthen emotional wellness, recovery and resilience. The main mission of the nonprofit remains to rescue and reunite animals for deployed troops and train service and support dogs for veterans and first responders, according to the organization’s website.

“These puppies had little chance of surviving when they were found,” said Robert Misseri, co-founder of Paws of War. “Our military members showed extraordinary compassion by refusing to leave them behind, even while serving in a dangerous environment. “At Paws of War, we believe these heroes deserve to know the animals they rescued will have the opportunity to live long, healthy, happy lives in America,” Misseri added. “Until they return home, their families are opening their hearts and homes to care for these puppies. When these deployments end, the reunions between these soldiers and the puppies they rescued will remind everyone of the incredible bond that develops between our service members and the animals whose lives they save.”

Source: CT rescue fosters dogs from Middle East to help troops who saved them

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CT rescue fosters dogs from Middle East to help troops who saved them

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