Jeff Bennett has four rescue dogs of his own at home, so it's clear that he's passionate about protecting animals. But he isn't your average armchair animal lover.
As a volunteer with Pilots N Paws, a South Carolina-based organization that rescues animals on the brink of euthanasia, the businessman and recreational pilot from Florida has taken his love for furry friends to the skies.
Last week, Bennett reached an incredible milestone when he flew his 1,000th rescue animal to safety.
“I never thought I’d be moving this many animals,” Bennett, 53, told TODAY.com. “I just really enjoy it, and I get to meet some of the best people out there.”
Bennett, who has been volunteering with Pilots N Paws since November 2008, said he first heard about the organization through an article in a magazine. He learned that the program, which is reliant on volunteers willing to offer their services at no cost, rescues animals by connecting shelters and rescue organizations with pilots and plane owners.
Bennett -- who owns a small plane of his own and has been flying since 1995 -- said the choice to sign up was a no-brainer.
"I've always loved flying and I love dogs so I put the two of them together. It was pretty much an easy thing to do," he told The Huffington Post.
To read more about this story at the Huffington Post, CLICK HERE.
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