Helping Paws

Helping Paws Helping Paws keeps military families united with their pets by providing low and no cost veterinary care for troops and veterans in need.

Helping Paws helps keeps military families united with their pets by providing low and no-cost veterinary care for troops and veterans in need. Without our 501(c)(3), a lot of veterans would face the heartbreaking decision of premature relinquishment, or worse yet, economic euthanasia.

Gunther is only 3 years old. He’s energetic, loyal, and exactly what you’d expect from a Belgian Malinois until suddenly...
09/01/2026

Gunther is only 3 years old. He’s energetic, loyal, and exactly what you’d expect from a Belgian Malinois until suddenly, he wasn’t.

When Gunther became lethargic and couldn’t keep food or water down, his owner knew something was seriously wrong. Veterinarians discovered that Gunther had swallowed a rubber toy that had become lodged in his intestines, creating a dangerous obstruction that required emergency surgery.

The cost to save him: $6,975.57.

For Gunther’s owner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who recently lost his job and has been driving for Uber while working to get back on his feet, a nearly $7,000 emergency veterinary bill was simply more than he could manage alone. That’s where Helping Paws Foundation stepped in.

And right now, your support can help us be there for the next veteran and pet who need us. We’ve raised $11,966 toward our $20,000 matching gift goal, and Dr. Craig Mohnacky is personally matching every donation dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000. That means $25 becomes $50. $50 becomes $100. $100 becomes $200.

Gunther’s owner served our country. When he and his best friend needed someone in their corner, Helping Paws Foundation was able to be there. Please help us close the gap and continue helping veterans keep the animals they love by their side.

National Rainbow Bridge Day — August 28th"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge…"Today we pause. We ...
08/28/2026

National Rainbow Bridge Day — August 28th

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge…"

Today we pause. We remember. And we honor every beloved pet who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge — leaving paw prints on our hearts that never, ever fade.

If you have loved and lost a pet, you know there are no words adequate enough for that grief. The house feels different. The quiet is louder. You reach for them without thinking, and then remember.

That love — the love that makes the loss so profound — is exactly why we do what we do at Helping Paws Foundation. Every exam we provide, every treatment we make possible, every Veteran and military family we support is another chance to extend that precious time together. To add more mornings. More walks. More slow blinks and wagging tails. More memories that last a lifetime.

Today, if you've lost a beloved pet, know that you are not alone in your grief. That love was real. That bond was sacred. And somewhere, just this side of heaven, they are whole and happy and waiting.

We'd be honored if you'd share your pet's name in the comments today — let's fill this space with the names of the ones we love and miss.

www.helpingpawssandiego.org

Happy National Dog Day!! Today is THEIR day and we are going ALL IN!Let's take a moment to appreciate everything dogs br...
08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!! Today is THEIR day and we are going ALL IN!

Let's take a moment to appreciate everything dogs bring to our lives:

The zoomies at 6am that you didn't ask for but secretly love.

The way they tilt their head when you say the word "walk".

The unconditional, unwavering, absolutely undeserved love they pour out every single day.

The way they KNOW when you're having a hard day and simply stay close.

Dogs are not just pets. They are healers. They are heroes. They are family.

At Helping Paws Foundation, we see this truth every single day. We see the Veteran whose dog gets him through the night. The military family whose rescue pup holds the whole household together. The moments of pure joy that no medication, no therapy, and no amount of money can fully replicate but a dog somehow can.

On National Dog Day, we recommit to our mission: making sure that every Veteran, active duty service member, and military family in San Diego County can keep the dog who keeps them going. Because that bond is sacred. And it's worth fighting for.

Is there a dog in your life who has changed everything? Tell us about them in the comments — we want to celebrate them today!

Need veterinary support for your dog?
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

Happy National Nonprofit Day! Today we celebrate the organizations that show up — not for profit, but for PURPOSE.Helpin...
08/17/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day!

Today we celebrate the organizations that show up — not for profit, but for PURPOSE.

Helping Paws Foundation was born from a simple but powerful belief: that no Veteran, active duty service member, or military family should ever have to surrender the pet they love because veterinary care was out of reach.

Since 2013, that belief has driven everything we do here in San Diego County. Every exam. Every treatment. Every wagging tail that gets to go back home.

We are proud to be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — and even prouder to hold a Candid Platinum Transparency Badge, because we believe the families and donors who trust us deserve to know exactly how their support is put to work.

Today, on National Nonprofit Day, we want to say THANK YOU:

💙 To our donors who make it possible
💙 To Mohnacky Animal Hospitals and Helping Paws Animal Hospital who provide the care
💙 And to every Veteran and military family who has trusted us with the pets they love

This is why we do what we do. Every. Single. Day.

Want to support our mission?
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

Happy National S'mores Day! And yes, we absolutely needed a holiday for this.Graham cracker. Chocolate. Marshmallow. The...
08/10/2026

Happy National S'mores Day! And yes, we absolutely needed a holiday for this.

Graham cracker. Chocolate. Marshmallow. The holy trinity of campfire happiness.

We'd like to think that Veterans, military families, and all the amazing people we serve at Helping Paws Foundation deserve something just as sweet — quality veterinary care for the pets who make every campfire, every cozy evening, and every hard day a little bit better.

Quick PSA from your friends at HPF: s'mores are delicious for humans and a BIG no-no for pets. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats, so keep those gooey treats to yourself tonight! Your fur baby will thank you, even if they're giving you the most heartbreaking puppy eyes you've ever seen.

Stay safe, stay sweet, and give your pet a s'mores-free snuggle tonight.

Want to support a military or Veteran fur family?
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

National Purple Heart Day — August 7thToday we pause to honor something profound.The Purple Heart is one of the most sol...
08/07/2026

National Purple Heart Day — August 7th

Today we pause to honor something profound.

The Purple Heart is one of the most solemn and sacred awards in our nation's military presented to service members who were wounded or killed in action while serving the United States. It is a symbol of sacrifice, of courage, and of a debt we can never fully repay.

At Helping Paws Foundation, we think about these heroes every single day. We think about the Veterans who came home carrying wounds, visible and invisible and the pets who greet them without question, who sense their pain, who curl up beside them in the hard moments and simply stay.

The bond between a Veteran and their pet is its own kind of healing. And protecting that bond is our honor and our mission.

To every Purple Heart recipient past and present thank you. Your sacrifice humbles us all.

www.helpingpawssandiego.org

Happy National Work Like a Dog Day! You know the type. First one in, last one out. Never complains. Always enthusiastic....
08/05/2026

Happy National Work Like a Dog Day!

You know the type. First one in, last one out. Never complains. Always enthusiastic. Gives 110% even on a Monday.

We're talking about dogs, obviously. But honestly? The humans at Helping Paws Foundation aren't far behind.

Every single day we work to make sure that Veterans and active duty military families never have to face the impossible choice between paying bills and keeping their beloved pets healthy. It's not always glamorous work but just like our four-legged inspiration, we show up for it every single day. Tails wagging.

So today, whether you're grinding away at your desk or your dog is "supervising" from the couch; we salute you both.

Know someone who might support our work?

www.helpingpawssandiego.org
442.245.7154

Happy Gotcha Day to every rescue pet out there — Saturday is YOUR day!August 1st is National Gotcha Day, the day we cele...
07/31/2026

Happy Gotcha Day to every rescue pet out there — Saturday is YOUR day!

August 1st is National Gotcha Day, the day we celebrate that magical, life-changing moment when a pet goes from a shelter kennel to a forever home. The day everything changes. For them AND for you.

There's nothing quite like it. The car ride home. The first sniff of every corner. The way they looked at you like — oh. It's you. You're my person.

At Helping Paws Foundation, we believe the story doesn't end at adoption; it's just the beginning. We work every day to make sure Veterans and active duty military families can keep the pets they love healthy, happy, and by their side for years to come.

Because Gotcha Day deserves a long, beautiful chapter.

Did you rescue your pet? Drop your Gotcha Day story in the comments; we would absolutely love to hear it!

📋 Need veterinary assistance to keep your story going?
www.helpingpawssandiego.org

Chloe, a playful 1½-year-old Pomsky, got curious about her adorable Fourth of July bandana and decided to taste it while...
07/30/2026

Chloe, a playful 1½-year-old Pomsky, got curious about her adorable Fourth of July bandana and decided to taste it while her owner was out of the house for a bit.

The yarn became lodged in Chloe’s small intestine, causing a dangerous intestinal blockage that required emergency surgery to save her life.

Her owner, a U.S. Air Force veteran and single mother beginning her bachelor’s program this fall, didn't hesitate. She emptied the last $1,000 she had to begin treatment. But the surgery Chloe needed came to a total of nearly $7,000.

No loving pet owner should have to face that impossible choice. At Helping Paws Foundation and Mohnacky Animal Hospitals, we believe that military families who have already sacrificed so much shouldn’t have to lose a beloved companion because emergency veterinary care is beyond their reach.

Pets like Chloe survive because people like you choose to care. Right now, Dr. Craig Mohnacky is also matching every donation dollar-for-dollar, up to $20,000.

Your gift today will help us continue save pets like Chloe and provide hope to the veterans and military families who love them. Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected accident to change everything—and one act of generosity to change it back.

Thank you for helping us be there when families need us most!

Tomorrow is National Hire a Veteran Day and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate it!Veterans bring something to the wo...
07/24/2026

Tomorrow is National Hire a Veteran Day and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate it!

Veterans bring something to the workplace that simply can't be taught discipline, resilience, leadership, loyalty, and an unmatched commitment to the mission. They've served our country with everything they have, and they bring that same dedication to everything they do next.

At Helping Paws Foundation, Veterans are at the heart of everything WE do. We provide low- to no-cost veterinary care to active duty military, Veterans, and military families here in San Diego County because those who have served deserve to keep the pets who heal, comfort, and ground them.

If you're an employer, tomorrow is a great day to recommit to hiring Veterans. And if you're a Veteran looking for support for your beloved pet — we're here for you.

Always.

📋 Request veterinary assistance at:
👉 www.helpingpawssandiego.org

Address

969 Vale Terrace Drive, Suite D
Vista, CA
92084

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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