Thursday, October 1, 2026
Two South Side High School juniors are turning their love of animals and respect for service members into meaningful community impact through the school’s Pets for Vets club.
Jake Bivona and Daniel DiGiovanna, co-presidents and co-founders of the club, have been volunteering with the nonprofit Paws of War since eighth grade. What began as a middle school community service project has grown into an organized high school effort that raises funds and awareness for veterans, first responders and Gold Star families.
“Initially, we used the foundation for a community service project in the eighth grade that we had to do,” Bivona said. “We picked it because we all like to own dogs and most of us, like someone who served in the military, so we thought it was just a good fit to help. Once we got to high school, we thought starting a club would be beneficial because one, it would help the foundation a lot because like over the last few years, we've raised over almost $6,000 for them. So, we've grown to help them.”
The club, advised by teacher Daniel Mullin and supported by school administrators including Principal Patrick Walsh and Assistant Principal Benjamin Moss, has steadily expanded since its founding. Membership has grown from just a handful of students to roughly 20 to 30 participants, reflecting increasing interest in the cause.
On March 23, the club hosted a special visit from marine veteran Mike Kilano of Paws of War, who brought along a service dog named Lucy and her veteran owner Gary O’Rourke. During the presentation, students learned about the organization’s mission to rescue and train dogs — many from shelters or overseas — and pair them with veterans at no cost.
“Yeah, they basically take dogs and service animals from places like abusive shelters and battlefields where they may have been left behind because the military actually doesn't take the dogs that they use in service back home with them,” DiGiovanna said.
Lucy demonstrated her training and interacted with students, offering a firsthand look at the role service animals play in supporting veterans both physically and emotionally.
The event also marked a milestone for the club’s fundraising efforts. Bivona and DiGiovanna presented Kilano with a $450 check, along with donated supplies for the organization’s Nesconset facility valued at approximately $1,500. In total, the club has raised more than $5,500 for Paws of War through bake sales, food drives and community donations.
“It was super cool to have those two people who are actually a part of the foundation to come out to the school and tell all the people in our club what they actually do,” DiGiovanna said. “It got everybody really enthusiastic about our club. Hearing the veterans talk about their life experience and showing them what they do with their dogs and how they run their own system. It was a super inspiring experience.”
Beyond fundraising, the co-founders say the club’s mission is to educate their peers about the importance of service dogs and the support they provide to veterans and their families. Looking ahead, they hope to continue growing the club and ensuring its mission carries on after they graduate.
