Paws Of War Of LI Receives Fox Nation Patriot Award For Service to Veterans

NESCONSET, NY — Paws of War, a Nesconset organization with the mission of helping veterans, received the Fox Nation Patriot Award for Service to Veterans, the charity announced.

The organization attended the award event on Dec. 5, where it was presented with a special award for its commitment to helping veterans. The presentation also featured a surprise reunion with a special dog from overseas. Robert Misseri, the organization's co-founder, was in attendance to accept the award.

"This award is very special to us, and it's something we want to share not just with Paws of War but with everyone who helps make our organization and what we do possible," Misseri said in a news release. "We have spent 10 years rescuing animals and helping veterans, and we will continue to do so for as long as we can."

The event featured a reunion of a rescued dog. Specialist Cameron Clay was present for a surprise reunion with the dog he rescued on deployment. He was thrilled to see her there and was amazed and grateful that Paws of War could get her to him.

Misseri presented the surprise to Clay on-stage.

"We do," Misseri said at the event, filmed by Fox Nation. "So, when Cameron reached out to us months ago, and he told us about a dog that he rescued while overseas that appeared at his gate, he was watching the gate, and his little puppy, malnourished, hungry, starving, cold, he started caring for this dog. Feyre is what he named her. And he reached out to us, and again, he cannot play any role in getting that dog here. And tonight, Cameron, she's with us. She's here. She's a little — OK. She has some stage fright. She has some stage fright."

Clay, after the reunion, said he did not know how to feel.

"I'm so thankful to everyone involved, Paws of War, and, you know, everyone on base who helped me through this whole process," Clay said. "It's just amazing. I don't even know what to think right now. It's just so great. Thank you, everyone, everyone involved."

A video award of the presentation, featuring Clay, is available on the Fox News YouTube account.

"The work that Paws of War does is life-changing for veterans," the organization stated. "While military members are trained to handle the situations where they are stationed overseas, they are not trained to leave behind a rescued animal they bond with. Some on deployment come across stray or injured dogs or cats, and they rescue them, nurse them back to health, and bond with them. Then, the time comes that they are supposed to walk away and leave them behind to fend for themselves. When they realize they cannot do that, they find their way to Paws of War, who works feverishly to reunite them in the United States."

In addition to helping to reunite so many rescued pets, Paws of War also trains dogs to become service pets and match them with a veteran in need for no cost. The veterans get the service animal they need without the hassle and expense that may otherwise deter them, according to the nonprofit. The group has also provided rescue and support efforts for animals from Baltimore to Baghdad, helping where they are needed and how their support can provide the most benefit.

"We love what we do and love that the community supports us and helps make it happen," Misseri said. "It’s an honor to help those who provide so much to us, and we are thrilled to get this award."

Paws of War also focuses on giving back to veterans in various ways. The organization has helped veterans with numerous issues, including suicide prevention, service and support dogs, companion cats and dogs, food insecurity, veterinary care, etc. Paws of War has a large loyal following of supporters and stated it looks forward to working with new corporate sponsors to support these life-saving programs. People can learn more or donate to help its missions on the Paws of War website.