austinbar.org NOVEMBER 2017 | VOLUME 26, NUMBER 9
Free Legal Advice Clinic for Veterans Goes To The Dogs Love-a-Bull’s Pit Crew Provided Special Guests at Recent Clinic BY KELLEY DWYER, CHAIR OF THE AUSTIN BAR’S ANIMAL LAW SECTION
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s a longtime volunteer at Austin Animal Center, Austin’s municipal animal shelter, I noticed a lot of young veterans visiting the shelter seeking to adopt dogs as unofficial emotional support dogs to help ease their transitions back to civilian life. As we walked through the kennels full of sweet homeless dogs, all eager to find their new best friends, and after we visited with dogs one-on-one,
the veterans would start to share some of their experiences. They shared their challenges and their hopes for the comfort and understanding they knew only the love of a good dog would provide. They all knew dogs don’t judge. They don’t ask rude probing questions. They don’t demand anything. They are happy with a small return of what they give— love and companionship. The calming effects of companion animals are well documented1.
Spending time with companion animals has been shown to double the amount of oxytocin, beta endorphins (the same chemicals that produce a “runners’ high”), and dopamine. A Bar Code notice of the latest monthly Free Legal Advice Clinic for Veterans made me think about how continued on page 6
“Remembering our Heroes” Campaign Honors Veterans and Raises Funds for Free Legal Services
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he Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) announced a new campaign to benefit the Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services, an endowment fund that ensures Texas veterans have fair and equitable access to the justice system. The “Remembering Our Heroes” campaign
aims to recognize veterans and active-duty military personnel living or deceased, who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military by allowing contributors to make a donation to the endowment in their name. As of result of their donation, TAJF will honor these service members through a series of events leading up to and sur-
NOV 13 and DEC 11 UPCOMING AUSTIN BAR VETERANS CLINICS AUSTIN VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. CONTACT: Isabel Salazar, isabel@austinbar.org
rounding Veterans Day. Named in honor of Texas attorney Joe Jamail, a legend among the legal community and well-known for his philanthropic efforts, the Joe Jamail Endowment for Veteran Legal Services ensures that Texas veterans have access to the free legal help they need to successfully integrate
back into civilian life and secure the rights and benefits for which they risked their lives. “This campaign expands the endowment’s mission to continue the legacy of legal legend Joe Jamail by honoring the legacies of other veterans and providing funding for free legal assistance continued on page 7