Area serviceman Joe Wilkens was in Iraq at a tourniquet training session when a young puppy approached the group. Class was then abandoned in favor of playing with the puppy. The Military has a “no pet” policy so Joe could not keep, “Nogo,” as he was named. He was set on the other side of the gate and let go. Although the area was surrounded by a barb wire fence, Nogo kept returning to Joe and the two were able to bond.
Joe was then sent home but worried about Nogo. He learned of a program called Operation Baghdad Pups, a program affiliated with SPCA International that reunites pets from war zones with servicemen and women from the U.S. It costs $1,000 to bring a dog into the U.S. from another country. This includes vaccines, travel and accommodations.
In September, the Environmental Club from Brockport High School discovered Joe needed assistance to bring his dog, Nogo, home from Iraq and wanted to help. The Environmental Club was able to raise $500 from a fundraiser called “Kid’s Night Out” where children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade came to the high school and participated in games, swimming, crafts and movies with the members of the club.
High school science teacher and Environmental Club advisor Rosemary Catlin contacted Invisible Fence® of Upstate NY in hopes of getting some help with the rest of the cost. As soon as owner Tony Hettinger heard Joe Wilkens’ story, he was sold. Invisible Fence® donated $500 to cover the remainder of the cost to bring Nogo home. “We are excited to be able to help reunite Joe and Nogo – we understand the bond between owners and their pets. They really are one of the family,” said Hettinger.
Nogo was brought into the U.S. in September and was quarantined for one month. He was reunited with Joe on Thanksgiving. Since then Nogo has been renamed Artie and recently had his first Christmas with Joe and his family with the help of Operation Baghdad Pups, the Environmental Club, and Invisible Fence® of Upstate NY, this is a story with a very happy ending.
