[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S6721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JO-ANN CLARK

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Jo-Ann 
Clark of Stratham as November's Granite Stater of the Month. Jo-Ann is 
a Gold Star mother who, 10 years ago, lost her son, Army Specialist 
Christopher Journeau, to suicide. After learning about the benefits 
that companion animals can bring to veterans who suffer from 
posttraumatic stress disorder--PTSD--the same condition that 
Christopher suffered from, Jo-Ann started an organization in her son's 
name to fund adoptions of shelter animals by veterans.
  Jo-Ann's son, Christopher, served a year in Iraq during Operation 
Iraqi Freedom and returned home with undiagnosed PTSD. When Christopher 
took his own life 6 months later, Jo-Ann was devastated. Over time, she 
learned about the symptoms of PTSD and recognized that her son had 
exhibited these symptoms when he returned home from his deployment.
  During her research, Jo-Ann also learned that, for some people, a 
companion animal can help to mitigate the impacts of PTSD. Jo-Ann began 
to research national organizations that help veterans adopt pets, but 
she found that many veterans faced significant hurdles in the process.
  In response, Jo-Ann founded Chris' Pets for Vets to make it easier 
for veterans to adopt companion animals from local shelters. Among 
other things, the organization pays the pet adoption fees to ensure 
that cost isn't a barrier for any veteran.
  Since its founding in 2015, Jo-Ann has helped approximately 400 
veterans adopt companion animals at various shelters throughout New 
Hampshire. Despite health concerns that she herself has faced, Jo-Ann 
has invested an incredible amount of her time and energy into making 
Chris' Pets for Vets a success.
  Jo-Ann's determination to turn her own loss into productive and 
positive support for veterans has helped hundreds of veterans avoid the 
confusion and despair that accompanies PTSD. Her commitment is also 
consistent with the Granite State's long tradition of military service 
and support for veterans. Jo-Ann understands the importance of 
supporting veterans in every aspect of their lives, and through Chris' 
Pets for Vets, she is both honoring her son's memory while making a 
real difference in veterans' lives. I am honored to recognize her 
efforts.

                          ____________________