Wheaton fundraiser to help troops reunite with pets

Area residents can support American troops while enjoying frozen yogurt in a fundraiser for the Puppy Rescue Mission.

To participate, mention Puppy Rescue Mission when ordering between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Yogli Mogli, 135 Danada Square East, Wheaton.

Yogli Mogli will donate 20 percent of the purchase to the Puppy Rescue Mission, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that helps U.S. troops bring home dogs and cats they adopt while serving overseas.

Over the past four years, the Puppy Rescue Mission has brought home almost 700 dogs and cats for men and women of the military stationed in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Africa and posts around the globe.

The animals become true "battle buddies" who are bonded to their military service members and provide physical protection and emotional comfort during difficult combat deployments.

The Puppy Rescue Mission is helping a soldier from Wheaton reunite with the dog she adopted while serving in Afghanistan. Army SPC Maryann Yang, who is in Afghanistan as part of the 956 Movement Control Team from Fort Sheridan, fell in love with an Afghan "Kuchi hound" puppy named Patches, who was part of a litter rescued by a fellow soldier.

Thanks to the Puppy Rescue Mission, Patches will be waiting for her when Yang returns from her deployment next month. Patches arrived safely at O'Hare International Airport in May and has been living with a foster family in Des Plaines while Yang finishes her deployment.

Learn more about the Puppy Rescue Mission's work at puppyrescuemission.com and follow daily rescue updates on Facebook at facebook.com/puppyrescuemission.