HOT SPRINGS – What began as a dream for Connie Geiser, Battle Mountain Humane Society (BMHS) Board member and the entire board has finally come true –– dedicated boarding space for dogs and cats of veterans going through treatment programs at the Hot Springs VA.
“It was a long project,” said Geiser, “and costly, but it was important to us and to our community to help support our veterans and their beloved pets.”
This new center offers one less hurdle to jump for veterans wanting treatment.
While service dogs are often allowed within the VA programs themselves, a pet is not.
This service helps veterans with a loved dog or cat feel a bit more at ease as they will be cared for less than a mile away with their own kennel and land to play and run According to Geiser, many of the veterans who have utilized the facility claim they could not have received treatment without this program.
“One veteran told me that he wouldn’t have been able to come to South Dakota for treatment if he couldn’t have brought his ‘boys’,” she said. “He said he didn’t know what he would have done without the facility.”
Currently there are five kennels in the veteran building with two dedicated for veteran use and three for boarding of community animals.
“We will always have room for veteran’s dogs and cats,” explained Geiser. “But we need to help offset the cost by offering boarding to the community.”
There is no charge for the veteran while they are in a program at the VA and there are veteran discounts for those wanting to board their animals while away on holiday.
“We also offer emergency and long-term stays,” said Geiser.
One such long-term care pet is near and dear to Geiser’s heart.
“One of our boarded dog owners is in a nursing home,” she said. “I try to bring her dog to her as often as she wants.”
While this is not a service that is actually available, Geiser just knows what a difference it makes in the lives of the pet and the owner and takes time out of her own day to make the visits happen.
The building offers a bathing station, laundry facilities, couches, outside fenced exercise/play areas as well as a fenced grassy area for when veterans visit their dog, they can play ball or just relax together.
“It is required that the dog or cat have up-to-date shots,” said Geiser, “but if it is a time-sensitive issue, we can help get those shots for them at a cost.”
While the facilities themselves are a doggie heaven, Geiser assures there are more than just nice facilities when tending to a veteran’s pet.
“We spend time with them,” she said. “We don’t just feed them and keep the kennels clean, we truly spend time with each animal.”
Currently there is one dog and one cat in the veteran program, so they get a lot of one-on-one time.
“Bubbles is so affectionate,” said Geiser of the current veteran cat housed at BMHS. “Everyone loves her.”
That can also be said for Bailey the Border Collie Mix who has plenty of room to run.
“Bailey may be here anywhere from 30 to 45 days,” said Geiser, “but she adjusted quickly and loves to run and play.”
Having held the honor of being a no-kill facility since 2022, BMHS is committed to the health and happy placement of all the animal in their care.
Currently housing 80 dogs and 66 cats, BMHS is always in need of donations of food and funds.
If you would like to learn more about BMHS or how to donate or volunteer visit BMHS@goldenwest.net or call 605-745-7283.