Tony La Russa's ARF Breaks Ground For Pets and Vets Expansion

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Hall-of-Fame manager Tony La Russa and staff broke ground Tuesday in Walnut Creek on an expansion of the Animal Rescue Foundation, which La Russa co-founded, foundation officials said.

The expansion will create the national headquarters for the Pets and Vets Program, which trains shelter dogs as psychiatric service animals for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses.

It will also provide space to save 500 more dogs a year by adding 30 new dog kennels.

Veterans can take part in the Pets and Vets Program at no cost.

In a statement, La Russa said, "Since ARF opened in 1991, we've witnessed the amazing transformations that occur when people add the unconditional love of an animal into their lives."

Expansion of ARF is part of an $18.7 million campaign titled Saving Both Ends of the Leash, which in addition to the center and additional kennels will create a separate veterans' area in the ARF clinic and new all-weather training fields, among other things.

Foundation staff members are still raising $1 million for the expansion. For every $1 given by community members, the Engelstad Foundation will give $2.

Regular services provided at the foundation will continue during construction.

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