Justin is an Iraq war veteran who faced a different kind of battle upon his return home. Like many veterans he struggled to reintegrate to civilian life, but has found renewed purpose with a rescue dog whom he credits with “doing wonders for my mental health.”
A quiet life
Justin lives on five acres in a quiet, rural part of Florida where he has a small working farm. It is not only a reflection of who he is, but a source of pride and purpose.
“I love the outdoors, working on my farm, learning new skills, wrenching with my dad, traveling in my RV, sailing, motorcycles, and pretty much anything adventurous,” he says.
When he is not tending to his land or animals Justin works as a full-time firefighter, paramedic, and hazmat technician. These jobs require skill, courage, and trust—qualities he learned and honed in the Army.
Brothers in arms
In 2003 Justin enlisted in the Army and served as a frontline combat medic until he separated in 2009. During his tour he was stationed out of Fort Polk, Louisiana and deployed twice to Iraq. He remembers the people he served with vividly.
“We were a collection of a myriad of different people from villains, criminals, liars, cheaters, thieves, psychopaths, heroes, most selfish to selfless, the smartest people I’ve ever met to the dumbest people I’ve ever met,” he shares. “It was amazing to see this mix step up when it mattered.”
Justin likens his fellow veterans as a rag-tag family who—despite their seemingly random natures—would “die for each other.”
The Iraq war veteran experienced that dedication firsthand under fire.
“By the time I took my first direct action casualty, I had high confidence in my guys,” he says.
“While most reacted to fire, one in particular ran out to cover me while I worked. He also coordinated the counterattack. I knew we worked well together, but there is something about actually being able to work together to do something worth doing.”
The trust Justin felt in those moments was rare, a profound bond that he has not found in civilian life.
“I am eternally grateful I experienced what I did with my brothers through war. I’ve been unable to replicate it in the civilian world,” he shares.
It is common for veterans to struggle with reintegration after fulfilling their military obligations. While not confined to combat veterans, they often feel these challenges most acutely.
However, Justin has discovered immense comfort in the company of canines. They love and accept without boundary.
“The closest I’ve got to unconditional dedication is a dog.”
Coming home
Adjusting to life after service was harder than Justin expected. He reentered a society that seemed almost narcissistic and devoid of purpose. Relationships felt shallow, disconnected.
“I honestly found it hard to incorporate into the civilian world. I tried to play like everything was normal. I’ve done a lot of therapy, self help books, and all the stuff I could to reincorporate,” he says. “Civilian life just doesn’t seem to have the simplicity of logic and reason whenever it comes to interacting.”
Justin credits military service for changing him in profound and powerful ways. Most notably it gave him a deep appreciation for having mission focus—something he finds lacking in most interpersonal encounters.
“Civilian life really seems to be motivated by self,” he observes. “Generally, my confusion is just why can’t people identify the mission, and understand logic and reason to accomplish that mission. Whatever that might be.”
Even the fire department, as close as it came to the intensity and camaraderie of the Army, could not fully replace what Justin experienced in war.
“The military was such a simpler life. Train hard. Find out if you’re good at your job. You are? Good. Keep doing it.”
Over time the Iraq war veteran built a small, but trusted circle.
“I really enjoy my small group of civilian friends that would die for me like the military. I have two coworkers that I’ve had as close as you can get to military experiences,” he shares. “These two brothers keep me grounded.”
Still, the quiet at home was overwhelming at times. Something was still missing.
Unconditional love
Jason has always loved dogs.
So after losing his Siberian Husky, the war veteran began looking for another canine companion. Like most prospective adopters he started his search online.
It was February 2025 and a then two-and-a-half year-old German Shorthaired Pointer caught his eye. At the time, the dog was in the care of Humane Society of Pinellas. The shelter is one of our original adoption partners, joining us in 2010 and waiving adoption fees for veterans and Gold Star spouses we serve.
The Army veteran was looking for a four-legged friend. But Nyx would prove to be so much more.
“I didn’t really set out for a service dog, but this is the closest I could imagine,” he says. “This dog is intuitive.”
Since their adoption Nyx has become an astute observer of Justin’s moods. At times she even seems to anticipate his need for her gentle comfort.
“Whether I’m a little upset because I can’t find my car keys or I wake up in the middle of the night, she will come over and I guess do the best thing that a dog can do to imitate a hug. It’s hard to explain,” he shares. “I wanted the companion that shows unconditional love. This dog has over-performed.”
Many people assume that every struggling veteran should have a service animal. Yet the reality is that most neither need nor will qualify for a service animal, but can be helped immeasurably with the right companion pet.
Lean on me
When Nyx became part of Justin’s household she joined Battle, Justin’s Great Pyrenees–Australian Cattle Dog mix. Battle is a natural protector who helps Justin feel safe.
“Battle, he’s a good guard dog. He lets me relax my hyper-vigilance a little bit,” he says. “He is my perfect, roughhouse buddy [and] friend.”
The Army veteran’s new adoptee, however, satisfies a very different set of needs that had previously gone unmet.
“Nyx,” Justin says, “is very sweet and reminds me to be gentle. She has energy for days, but knows when it comes time [to] slow, cuddle on me and calm me.”
The young dog’s presence has changed Justin’s life in ways no program or therapy ever had.
“It feels like these dogs have done more than fifteen years of therapy, self help books, trying to incorporate with society,” he confides. “It hasn’t even been a year yet and this dog [Nyx] is doing wonders for my mental health.”
Battle buddies
The emotional connection Nyx provides is something Justin had not found since separating from service.
The combat veteran confides his struggles with interpersonal relationships and reintegrating with society. He leaves behind a trail of failed marriages and broken friendships, and is disappointed in what he perceives as people being overly self-involved.
“I haven’t found civilians in this world that really give a crap about the extra trauma that we go through as vets,” he says. “I guess trauma bonding really is a thing.”
But Justin’s life with Nyx and Battle is robust. Together they hike, run, take RV trips to state parks, and work the farm. Each dog fulfills a deep, emotional need.
“Battle is my guardian dog that keeps me grounded. He looks out for me like I’m not alone in this fight,” he says. “Nyx is my emotional support. She keeps me sweet. Reminds me to stay calm.”
“…can’t imagine life without a dog”
On the surface Nyx is a kind, gentle companion. But to Justin she is something more—a living bridge between the trust he knew in war and the peace he is discovering at home.
Nyx runs to Justin’s side without hesitation. She does not ask why she is needed; she simply shows up.
In that simple, reflexive loyalty Justin feels a rare truth he has been chasing since he came home: he is not alone, someone has his back, and there is still a mission that makes life worth living.
Justin believes that every veteran struggling to find purpose should consider adopting a dog. And he encourages them to consider adopting through Pets for Patriots.
“Pets for Patriots worked out very efficiently for finding me the correct dog that I needed,” he says.
“Being a combat vet and what this dog has done help with my day to day. I struggle greatly with people. There is unconditional love that a dog gives, and companionship that I have to go on my adventures.”
As a war veteran, Justin knows the invisible wounds that can forever change the trajectory of a warrior’s life.
Among Justin’s social circle are fellow brothers in arms who are trying to figure out big things. How to reintegrate into society. If they can put their military experiences to positive use in the civilian world. How to regain a sense of purpose.
These are all roads the combat veteran continues to travel.
“I have friends in the community that struggle with purpose after military. I’ve lost friends because they can’t find that purpose. I’d encourage as many of these people as I can to come home to a dog,” he shares. “It was very easy for me to isolate. Now I can’t imagine a life without a dog.”
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Nyx is a beautiful dog, and it sounds like she meets so many of your needs, especially emotionally. As a Navy vet who also lives in Pinellas county, I commend you for your service, and hope that you and Nyx have many years together.