SHELBY — Stephen Cline calls himself a doer, not a complainer.
The combat veteran, who served three tours in Iraq with the Army National Guard, had a service dog when he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Magnus was a pit-bull mix.
"My dog came up with some incredibly unaffordable vet bills," Cline said of Magnus, who was put to sleep last fall.
Cline asked around to see if there were any groups that would help veterans in such a situation. When he couldn't find any, he decided to start one of his own.
Veterans with Pets gained 501(c)(3) status as a nonprofit in March.
"The main purpose is to minimize the stress and anxiety of veterans whose companions require immediate medical care," Cline said. "Our beloved veterans should not be in a position where they must make a choice between caring for their companion or caring for themselves.
"They shouldn't have to be put in the same position I was."
While his organization has only recently gained nonprofit status, Cline hopes to be helping veterans and their support animals before the end of the year.
Organization wants to help pay for support animal training
His goals include paying for training if a doctor recommends a support animal.
"That's a big expense," Cline noted.
Veterans with Pets would also cover adoption fees at shelters, including vaccinations and a microchip, among other expenses.
"Vets need to know that it's there for them, or they're going to end up like me," Cline said. "I denied for a long time that I had issues from being over there."
He suffered through some rough times before his PTSD diagnosis.
A Galion native, Cline graduated from his hometown high school in 1990 and joined the U.S. Marines soon thereafter.
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Written By: Mark Caudill May 15th, 2023