(Press release)

Washington, DC November 3 – Operation Baghdad Pups is a SPCA International (www.SPCA.com) initiative created to provide medical care, clearance and transport for animals U.S. soldiers have come to love during deployment in the Middle East. Tomorrow, a Texas soldier’s dog, Scout, will arrive at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and will be united with the soldier’s mother, Kathryn Pilant. Kathryn’s son, Daniel, fell in love with Scout while on tour in Iraq. Scout was rescued from Iraq on October 31st by a SPCA International’s rescue expert and arrived in Washington, DC, on November 1st along with 3 other soldiers’ dogs. Daniel will return to Texas and be reunited with Scout soon. In the meantime, Scout will enjoy a safe new home in Eddy.

Hundreds of U.S. soldiers in the Middle East befriend animals in the war zone to help themselves cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The military refuses to help or formally recognize the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded soldiers. Veterans returned from Iraq are committing suicide at twice the rate of average Americans. The dogs and cats befriended by our troops rescued by Operation Baghdad Pups are providing proven pet therapy to soldiers who may otherwise suffer from PTSD and deep depression.

SPCA International is a non-profit animal welfare organization that has been helping U.S. troops rescue their pets since September 2007. Operation Baghdad Pups program is run entirely on generous donations from the public. Kathryn Pilant requests donations be made at www.SPCA.com to help more soldiers, like her son, save the animals they love.