The last thing on Camren’s to do list was to save a dog from a major hurricane barreling his way. But that is exactly what happened as Hurricane Helene made landfall in September 2024.

To serve and protect

Camren serves in the United States Air Force and lives in Georgia with his wife, Cierra. He has spent the last eight years in security forces, stationed in both New Mexico and Georgia.

These professionals are responsible for a wide range of protection tasks, from missile security to on-base law enforcement around the world.

Like many veterans, Camren has more than one inspiration for enlisting in the United States military.

“I joined the military to serve my country and protect my family,” he says with deserving pride.

The young veteran is active duty and has many memories yet to be made. But one experience of his service to date remains a cherished memory.

“The most memorable moment of my service thus far,” he shares, “has been being deployed and having the opportunity to work with other nations’ militaries.”

Going to the dogs

When he’s not on duty, Camren enjoys spending time with his wife. Both are devoted to helping animals in need.

The pair volunteer regularly at their local shelter, Humane Society of Valdosta-Lowndes County. They were already sharing their home with four rescue dogs—Leo, Geri, Blair, and Pumpkin—when a dog named Zia came along in the most dramatic way.

“We absolutely love dogs and would do anything for them,” Camren says.

Zia’s arrival came at a dangerous time. As Hurricane Helene bore down on South Georgia, Camren and Cierra were driving through their neighborhood looking for an abandoned dog they saw on Facebook.

“My wife told me we had to help,” Camren recalls, “so we went to her location and found her immediately. She was soaked to the bone and had an embedded collar around her neck.”

The brunt of the hurricane was just hours away. It landed in Florida as a category four storm and was forecast to hit Georgia as a still-powerful category two.

Zia had no shelter from the storm and was lucky to be alive.

All together now

The big dog did not hesitate to hop into the couple’s car. Whether she was grateful to be out of harm’s way or simply in shock, Zia seemed to take everything in stride.

“We took her home and gave her a bath,” Camren says. “She somehow got along with all of our dogs!”

As the hurricane tore through their community, Camren, Cierra, and their plussed-one pack of dogs took refuge in the one place they felt was safe: the bathroom.

“Five dogs and two people in one small bathroom—it wasn’t very fun,” the Air Force veteran confides.

“When the hurricane let up she [Zia] ran immediately for our bed and tucked herself in.”

No place like home

At first, Camren and Cierra planned to foster Zia.

“My wife and I told ourselves that we were not gonna keep her as we already had four,” Camren says, “but we could foster her.”

Fostering helps animal shelters expand their capacity to save more animals.

Foster homes are a temporary stop on an animal’s journey to adoption. Fosters are used for animals who are nursing, older, in need of medical care, or who are extremely stressed in a shelter environment. Sponsoring shelters typically provide food and medical care during a pet’s time in foster.

Following the hurricane shelter staff tried diligently to find Zia’s family. Their efforts were to no avail.

“Once Hurricane Helene went on her way and the community started to rebuild and get back to normal, and after numerous attempts at reuniting Zia with her family, we started on the hunt for a new family for this sweet girl,” the shelter shares.

Humane Society of Valdosta-Lowndes County has partnered with us since 2014, helping veterans—and now Gold Star spouses—adopt dogs and cats for companionship. They offer our members ‘day one’ essentials to ease their homecoming.

However, Camren and Cierra had fallen in love with their four-legged hurricane refugee. They would become what are known as foster failures: people who intend to care for an animal temporarily and end up adopting instead.

“As the time went on we fell in love with her and couldn’t let her go,” Camren shares.

So in mid-December—just before the holidays—Zia got the best present a wayward dog could ask for: a home.

You are my sunshine

Zia brought something special to Camren’s life. While the other dogs are full of energy, Zia brings a different kind of spirit.

“Zia is such a joy in our lives. Four of our dogs are very energetic and play a lot, but Zia isn’t,” he shares.

“She is a huge couch potato and cuddle bug. She is so friendly with everyone and everything. Whenever we take her anywhere she always puts a smile on people’s faces.”

The big dog’s joyful nature was clear from the very moment she met her saviors. Even in the midst of a hurricane, Zia’s innate happiness shined through.

“Zia is a very happy soul, she always has a smile on her face,” Camren says.

“She is definitely a ray of sunshine and always has been—even the day we found her in the hurricane soaked with an embedded collar. She was still smiling when we found her.”

Camren learned about our companion pet adoption programs when he and Cierra started volunteering at the shelter. He is grateful for the benefits and support we provide, especially with his multi-dog household.

“We didn’t know about Pets for Patriots until we started volunteering with our local humane society and they explained it to us,” he says.

“When we adopted Zia we were so excited to go through y’all!”

To any other veterans thinking about adoption, Camren has simple advice.

“One hundred percent—do it!”

Zia’s journey from homeless to home started in the midst of a raging hurricane. That she was spotted amidst the chaos and rescued by dog-loving people is a small miracle in itself.

And in return this abandoned dog brings a calming energy to her new household and a smile to all who are lucky enough to meet her.

Want to create more adoption success stories? Learn more about how you can support hero-pet adoptions through Pets for Patriots.