It’s well documented that pets are therapeutic. But for some PAWS/LA clients, they may be lifesaving.

John Nieto has been a PAWS/LA client for 20 years. (photo courtesy of PAWS LA)

John Nieto, of West Hollywood, was in his 20s when he was diagnosed with HIV. Shortly thereafter, he lost his job and suddenly needed help supporting his dog, Bruno, and cat, Binx, while balancing the monthly bills.

Although he had never heard of the organization, Nieto followed through on a referral and contacted PAWS/LA, which provides resources and funding for low-income seniors and those with life-threatening illnesses. Twenty years later, he’s still a client and has nothing but praise for the organization.

“It is what helped me keep my animals alive,” Nieto said. “That, in turn, gave me my life. It’s what truly got me through one of the darkest moments of my life. It did make a difference. It did help.”

Bruno and Binx eventually moved on, but Nieto was able to get new pets and sign them up as clients. And when his cat, Jersey, became terminally ill, the West Hollywood resident was able to rely on PAWS/LA for help once again.

“She got sick quickly, and again PAWS came to the rescue,” Nieto said. “Everything was covered, and it was amazing. It was one of the smoothest transitions I could have given my cat.”

PAWS/LA has been helping residents in Los Angeles County such as Nieto for the last 21 years. It started in West Hollywood before moving to downtown Los Angeles.

“We started with a single client,” volunteer and outreach coordinator Raymundo Baltazar said. “Now, we have 1,800-plus.”

The non-profit organization relies on help from volunteers and donors to complete its mission, and participates in several fundraisers throughout the course of the year. PAWS/LA will have a team in the upcoming AIDS Walk and is among the Top 20 fundraisers in the event so far in 2011, Baltazar said.

“We try to be at every possible place to reach our community,” he said.

Baltazar said the organization is well aware of the importance of animals and pets to its clients. Oftentimes, clients will make sacrifices for their pets, putting their own health in jeopardy.

“Sometimes, they would much rather feed their animals than feed themselves,” Baltazar said.

Potential clients, who are usually referred to PAWS/LA through other organizations, complete an application that asks for doctor documentation. If accepted, participants can receive assistance for up to two pets. They receive an annual allocation of $200 for food, and PAWS/LA will provide additional funding or resources for other necessities such as vet bills. Grooming is not included.

“We try to help as much as we can,” Baltazar said.

Frequently, clients become volunteers if they are physically able. Nieto recently participated in a PAWS/LA fundraiser, sharing his story as an example of the organization’s work.

Although some view pets as a luxury, Baltazar said they are increasingly important to PAWS/LA clients, who feel that their animal companions improve their quality of life. He said the animals are not expensive breeds, and in some cases, the pets are strays.

“It gives them purpose,” Baltazar said, adding that the organization currently helps dogs, cats, bunnies, birds and even an iguana. “It really does.”

That is certainly the case for Bernard Boivin, a Long Beach resident with colon cancer. Though generally bed-ridden, he enjoys spending time with his black Labrador, Slash.

“He’s very healthy,” Boivin said. “He’s wonderful. He’s the love of my life.”

The France native said his dog is everything to him, and without the help of PAWS/LA, he wouldn’t have the money to feed Slash.

PAWS/LA is always in need of volunteers and donors. Volunteers can make deliveries, help in the organization’s food bank, offer hands-on clerical help, participate in outreach events, feed animals, serve as a temporary foster parent to the pets and more.

“There’s always a way to help or get help,” Baltazar said.

For information, call (213)741-1950 or visit www.pawsla.org.