A retired Army veteran struggling with a serious mental illness finds renewed purpose—and an answer to prayer—with a petite rescue dog.

Army life

Marcia is a retired Army veteran living in an assisted living facility in Alpharetta, Georgia. She has in her life that which is most important to her—family and faith—and in time would add a four-legged friend.

“My daughter and grandchildren live nearby,” she says. “My church is also nearby, in which I’m actively working for Jesus.”

In February 1974 Marcia enlisted in the Army, where she served in transportation as a watercraft operator. After training she was selected for drill sergeant school and later for officer candidate school, from which she resigned due to family matters. She continued to serve as a watercraft instructor and deck department personnel throughout her two decades in the Army.

Among Marcia’s most memorable experiences was being chosen for a mission to England. There, her team helped bring a 100-foot tugboat out of wet storage and back into use.

“I had a blast touring the country and learning new customs and culture,” she recalls.

But in 1994, without warning, Marcia was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It later became schizoaffective bipolar disorder, depression type.

This is a serious mental illness with symptoms of both schizophrenia and major depression.

Over the years, coping with mental illness weighed heavily on the retired veteran.

“I suffered over the years until Joy came into my life,” she confides.

Joy is both a feeling and, in Marcia’s case, a dog who would be the answer to her most heartfelt prayers.

Prayer and patience

In time, Marcia decided to complement her mental health therapy with a different kind of prescription.

“I chose to adopt a dog for my depression that gripped me every so often,” she shares.

But Marcia was not looking for just any dog. As she does often, she turned to prayer.

“I read about Pets for Patriots online and decided to find a small dog for me,” she explains. “It took much prayer and patience while looking for just the right dog.”

While the Army veteran was approved into our program in December 2024, it would be another few months til her prayers were answered.

An answer to prayer

The Army veteran had spent weeks praying and searching for the right companion: someone small, gentle, and loving. It took time and patience.

On the day she planned to adopt, Marcia stood second in line at one shelter, hoping to take home a particular dog. But the family ahead of her chose that pet instead.

Still, Marcia did not give up. The night before she had seen another dog online at a different shelter—a two year-old Rat Terrier mix named Carla. She was barely ten pounds and had impossibly big, perky ears.

The petite pup was in the care of LifeLine at Fulton County Animal Services.

The shelter is one of three Atlanta-area Lifeline shelters, all of which waive adoption fees for our members.

Marcia did not know it then, but this 10-pound bundle of joy was about to change her life—for the better—forever.

“G-d had answered my prayer,” she says.

Four-legged therapy

So at the end of March, more than three months after being approved by Pets for Patriots, Marcia adopted Carla. She immediately changed the petite pup’s name to one more fitting: Joy.

The rescue dog wasted no time becoming part of Marcia’s daily life. They go on walks together, they relax together. Wherever Marcia goes, Joy wants to follow.

Joy’s tail is always wagging. Not only does she uplift Marcia, but all of the facility’s residents, as well.

“They all absolutely love her. Joy is also ready for a pet and love herself, and just as giving back to all,” she shares. “She is really special to me.”

Companion dogs and cats are naturally therapeutic. They help people connect with one another and give renewed purpose to those who feel lost. And they place no conditions or boundaries on their love and acceptance.

Marcia needed help—and hope. She found both when she chose to adopt an emotionally healing companion.

“My life is full of joy”

Adopting through Pets for Patriots helped Marcia get started on her new life with Joy.

Our benefits help make pet adoption more affordable for our nation’s heroes and hero families. And our full year of post-adoption follow up nurtures the bonds to keep people and pets together, even during times of crisis or hardship.

Marcia appreciates both the initial and ongoing support provided through Pets for Patriots. They made the decision to bring Joy into her life even easier.

“I love how Pets for Patriots enabled me to not only pay zero dollars to adopt, but also gave me access to veterinary care at a reduced cost, a 200-dollar gift card, and other necessities for my Joy,” she says.

“So thank you.”

For years the Army veteran struggled with debilitating mental illness.

Bouts of severe depression compelled Marcia to not only continue to pray, but pray even harder.

Adopting Joy is testament to the power of prayer, and a reward for Marcia’s unyielding faith.

“Since Joy has entered my life, I’m no longer depressed,” she shares. “My life is full of joy and she gives me purpose.”

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