GI Wishes Charity Golf Tournament Supports Veterans' Companionship Program

Rob Wheeler, Founder and President of GI Wishes, stated, “This golf tournament is to raise money to support our missions. We’re a 501c3 public charity nonprofit. None of our board members or associates are paid a salary.” The organization covers pet adoption fees, the first year of veterinary care, and professional training for the animals.

Wheeler explained that the mission is to match rescue animals, often those at risk of euthanasia, with veterans and their families to provide companionship. GI Wishes serves veterans across Oklahoma and also acts as a foster network for pets belonging to deployed soldiers or veterans who require hospitalization.

“We also act as a foster network for deployed soldiers’ animals,” Wheeler said. “In recent years, we also acted as a foster network for Veterans that need to be hospitalized and won’t leave their animals to get the medical care they need.” Once deployed soldiers return home, their pets are reunited with them.

Stacey Kitsmiller, a volunteer and board member with GI Wishes, shared her positive experience, saying, “GI Wishes was helpful in me adopting my two cats when they were kittens nine years ago. It means a lot to me, and I really love having them. I thank GI Wishes for [making] that possible.”

The organization accommodates a variety of animals, not just dogs and cats. Wheeler noted, “We’ve done a bird or two in our time, and we even did a horse once. We try to accommodate the Veterans, whatever they need. We’ll go out and find the animal for them and we’ll only charge that Veteran $75 for adopting it from us, but we’ll pay the rescue group we get the animal from and cover all the veterinary fees for the first year.”

For more information on GI Wishes and their mission, visit giwishes.org.