A newly-launched nonprofit in Shelby is seeking to help veterans, animals, and local communities in need.

Veterans With Pets (VWP) is headed by Stephen Cline, a combat action veteran, who served in theatre during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Cline founded the organization with the mission of providing financial assistance for pet care needs to veterans and/or their spouses, family members, or other survivors, who are enduring unexpected financial hardship.

The assistance can include — but is not limited to — boarding, veterinarian expenses, medication, spaying, neutering, adoption fees, service dog training, service dog placement, rehoming and microchipping.

VWP also only uses veterinarians who are supportive of military veterans and have become sponsors of the mission and part of its network.

“The main purpose of Veterans With Pets is to minimize the stress and anxiety of veterans whose companions require immediate medical care,” Cline explained. “Our beloved veterans should not be in a position where they must make a choice between caring for their companion or caring for themselves.”

The organization also has a mission in times of crisis to strengthen the bond between veterans and citizens by providing emergency sheltering, disaster-relief services and education. VWP believes this can be accomplished by engaging volunteers and supporters, collaborating with others, and maximizing online technology, especially social media.

Corporate sponsorship, individual donations, and membership dues are the foundation of VWP’s mission.

“We value every donation and strive to reduce organizational expenses to provide the maximum support to our veterans,” Cline said. “All individuals involved in the charity are volunteers and do not receive any salary or compensation.”

There are various ways — levels and types of sponsorships — to help the VWP cause. To learn more, visit www.veteranswpets.org.

A.J. Kaufman is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer.