Vets & Pets of Southern Illinois

06/19/2026

Buddy is the life of the foster care party! He inspires his veteran owner to keep healing. They are both looking forward to reunion!
🐾♥️🤍💙

06/19/2026

Buddy Update 🐾

If you’ve been following Buddy’s story, you’ll be glad to hear this one.

Buddy has settled into foster care like he owns the place. His foster mom has been taking him on all kinds of field trips, and it turns out this old boy is a full-on social butterfly. He works every room, wins every crowd — and then goes home and crashes hard at 8pm like the rest of us seasoned folks. No shame in that game, Buddy.

His veteran owner came through surgery and is now focused on recovery. It’s taking longer than he’d hoped, but knowing Buddy is safe, loved, and living his best life has made it easier to stay the course and do what healing actually requires. Every photo his foster sends, every story about Buddy’s latest adventure keeps him going.

He didn’t have to fight for his dog’s safety while fighting for his own recovery. That’s not a small thing.

Buddy’s good. His veteran’s getting there. And none of this happens without the people who show up — fosters, donors, supporters who share the posts and spread the word.

More updates to come. 🫡🐕

vetsandpets-si.org 🐾♥️🤍💙

06/17/2026

Vets & Pets of Southern Illinois will be there to share information about our program (& to have a little fun under the bright lights!) Sure hope to see y’all there to celebrate America’s birthday!!!
🇺🇸 🐾♥️🤍💙 🇺🇸

Marion celebrates 250 years of the United States

06/17/2026

🐾 Thank you to the Harrisburg Rotary Club for welcoming Vets & Pets of Southern Illinois to your meeting yesterday! It was a pleasure meeting each of you 😊

It means so much to be able to share our mission with people who care so deeply about this community.

Veterans shouldn’t have to choose between getting the help they need and the pet waiting for them at home. Thank you for listening, for asking great questions, and for believing that bond is worth protecting. 🐾♥️🤍💙

06/15/2026

Yesterday marked the 251st birthday of the United States Army — and while we may be a day late sharing it, we are never late in recognizing the people who have answered the call to serve.

For 251 years, Soldiers have carried a tradition of courage, commitment, and sacrifice.

At Vets & Pets of Southern Illinois, we see another part of that story every day: the bond between veterans and the animals who stand beside them.

For many veterans, their pet is more than a companion. They are family. They are comfort after difficult days. They are routine, connection, and a reminder that someone is waiting for them at home.

That is why this mission matters.

When a veteran faces hospitalization or a medical crisis, we want them to have one less thing to worry about — knowing their beloved pet is safe, cared for, and loved.

We are grateful for every Soldier, every veteran, every family member, and every community member who has supported those who serve.

Happy 251st birthday to the United States Army.

And thank you to all who have worn the uniform and carried this legacy forward. 🇺🇸🐾

06/13/2026

“A little behind-the-scenes truth…”

When we started Vets & Pets, we knew we wanted to help veterans and their pets.

What we’ve learned is that this mission is built on relationships.

The veteran who trusts us.
The foster who opens their home.
The volunteer who gives their time.
The community member who shares a post.

Every person becomes part of the story.

vetsandpets-si.org 🐾♥️🤍💙

06/11/2026

A lot of people ask us what happens when a veteran needs Vets & Pets.

A phone call comes in.

Sometimes it’s a veteran.
Sometimes it’s a family member.
Sometimes it’s a healthcare provider trying to help someone who has one more thing to worry about.

We start by learning about the veteran, the pet, and what support is needed.

Because every situation is different.

Some dogs may need foster care.
Some may need a structured kennel environment.
Some may need extra patience while they adjust to a temporary change.

But the goal is always the same:

Give the veteran peace of mind.

Give the pet safety and care.

Create the bridge of hope that helps veterans and their dogs get through a difficult season.

Learn more at
vetsandpets-si.org 🐾♥️🤍💙

06/10/2026

🐾❤️🤍💙 Here’s Buddy — holding down the fort while his hero heals.

Today, Buddy’s veteran went in for surgery. Before checking into the hospital, he made sure Buddy was safe and cared for — because that’s what we do. No veteran should ever have to choose between their health and their best friend.

Buddy is living proof that when a community shows up, barriers disappear. He’s safe, he’s loved, and he’s ready and waiting for the day his veteran walks back through that door.

This is what removing barriers actually looks like. 🇺🇸

If you’d like to support veterans like Buddy’s — through fostering, volunteering, or donating — here’s our link: vetsandpets-si.org. Every act of support sends one more veteran through the door to the care they’ve earned.

🐶 Land of the free. Because of the brave. And because of people like you.