HELENA, Mont. — A local nonprofit is helping veterans get the mental health treatment they need by making sure they don't have to leave their pets behind.
Rocking Tree Farm created a program designed to remove one of the biggest barriers veterans face when entering inpatient care. The nonprofit works alongside VA inpatient treatment programs for PTSD and substance abuse, but many veterans hesitate to enter treatment because programs can last anywhere from four weeks to several months.
For some veterans, there's no family or friends available to care for their pets while they're away.
To solve that problem, Rocking Tree Farm built a 3,000-square-foot kennel system where dogs can run and play while their owners complete treatment. The nonprofit has been boarding animals for veterans since 2018, saving them an estimated $250,000 in kennel costs through community donations and support.
"The veterans in the inpatient program can get a pass and come out here and still maintain contact with their animals. We're able to reinforce the benefit of those animal-human connections instead of severing them," said co-owner Dr. Tabitha Garvin-Betancourt.
Rocking Tree Farm was originally created to support veterans accessing mental health care, with a mission focused on helping reduce the veteran suicide rate in the community.
Rocking Tree Farm says it is always looking for additional community support and donations to continue caring for veterans and their pets while they focus on recovery.
