Supplies and support for VetPets of Southwest Pennsylvania.
An estimated 22 veterans die by suicide every day in the United States. VetPets of SWPA fights back with the power of the human-animal bond — pairing service and emotional-support dogs with veterans and first responders. We set out to raise $2,500 in supplies and funds by September 30, 2026 — and 100% of every dollar donated has gone to buy supplies for VetPets.
Thanks to you, we finished at $3,319.65 — 133% of our goal. Donations closed August 31, and every dollar has been turned into supplies for VetPets.
Thanks to our generous donors, we raised $3,319.65 — 133% of our $2,500 goal in cash gifts and donated supplies combined. Donations closed August 31, 2026, and every dollar has been used to buy supplies for VetPets.
Updated October 3, 2026
Operation Paws & Honor is a supply-collection and fundraising campaign benefiting VetPets of Southwest Pennsylvania, a veteran-operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The project ran from mid-May through October 4, 2026, when the supplies were delivered to VetPets, led by 12–15 volunteers across six workstreams. 100% of the money raised was used to purchase supplies for VetPets — training treats, leashes, food, grooming gear, kennel items, and other essentials their dogs and veterans need every day.
VetPets is a family-owned, veteran-operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Omar Brooks in Washington, PA. Their mission is to use the power of the human-animal bond to empower veterans and first responders to reclaim their mental and emotional well-being. Through animal-assisted activities and community partnerships, VetPets provides veterans and first responders with the tools, support, and sense of purpose needed to thrive after service.
Who they serve: U.S. military veterans (all branches), active-duty service members, first responders (police, fire, EMS), and families of veterans in crisis.
Counseling combined with 4- or 6-week free certified dog training for every qualifying veteran or first responder.
Grants to help veterans adopt service and emotional-support dogs. Each team costs ~$10,000 to establish.
Community outreach, yoga, meditation, outdoor excursions, and peer-led support groups built around the bond.
VetPets' signature suicide-prevention fundraiser. The 2025 event raised over $40,000 for ongoing programming.
501(c)(3) · EIN 85-4223366
615 E Beau Street, Washington, PA 15301
pavetpets.org
Donations closed August 31, 2026. Every dollar you gave and every item you donated was turned into supplies, and on October 4, 2026, we delivered them to VetPets of Southwest Pennsylvania. Here is what you made possible.
About 640 lb of dog food, 580 pee pads, 130 toys, 15 service-dog vest sets, 15 travel backpack sets, and 10 first-aid kits, plus training treats, disinfectant, and wound-care supplies.
On October 4, 2026, Scouts and volunteers delivered everything to VetPets at 615 E Beau St in Washington, PA. 100% of funds raised bought supplies for VetPets.
See more delivery-day photos and the project wrap-up on Facebook and Instagram.
Want to keep supporting veterans, first responders, and their dogs? Visit VetPets of Southwest Pennsylvania.
After sorting and inventorying everything on October 3, Scouts and volunteers loaded up and delivered the supplies to VetPets of Southwest Pennsylvania the next day.
This summer, Operation Paws & Honor collected supplies and donations at community events around Washington County. Thank you to everyone who stopped by.
Annual community day with food trucks, kids' activities, vendors, live music from Bon Journey, and a fireworks finale. Operation Paws & Honor had a table set up for supply drop-off and donations.
A dog-friendly night at the Washington Wild Things game featuring Wiener dog races and $2.50 Tuesday specials — including a Little George Washington bobblehead for the first 250 fans. Operation Paws & Honor joined the VetPets table with donation bins and merch.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support the project in person.
Patrick is a Life Scout with Troop 1005 in Washington, PA. A Scout since 2016, he earned his Arrow of Light from Pack 1305 in Canonsburg in 2020 and has held leadership roles including Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Den Chief, and Order of the Arrow Representative. He's an active Order of the Arrow Brotherhood member and often serves on the ceremonies team for new-member inductions.
Outside Scouting, Patrick is Vice President of the eSports Club, a member of Spanish Club and GSA, and captain of the Canon-Mac eSports team — which he helped lead to the 2025 Division 2 championship. His favorite Scouting memory is the 2025 Troop trip to Gettysburg.
"I have personally seen the lasting emotional and psychological toll borne by our veterans and first responders, stemming from their selfless service — and I wanted to find a way to combine my desire to help these men and women with my passion for canine companions. Thank you so much for any assistance you can offer to those who have served."
