After two deployments to Iraq, Robert needed to reclaim his physical and mental health. A spirited rescue dog with a zest for life gave him that gift.

The war within

Robert has always had a talent for fixing things. Prior to enlisting in the Army he worked as an auto mechanic, but as the years went on he felt the call to a higher purpose.

“Sometime in 2006 I decided I wanted more from life,” he shares. “I joined the Army in March 2006 to become a Blackhawk mechanic.”

Fort Riley, Kansas would be Robert’s first duty station. Known as The Big Red One—or The Fighting First—it is home to the Army’s storied 1st Infantry Division. The young enlistee arrived just as its aviation unit was being stood up.

Months of training ensued, after which Robert went on his first deployment. His unit was being sent to one of the most dangerous places on the planet.

“We spent 15 months in Iraq as support for the surrounding units stationed in Iraq at the time,” he says.

“After returning to Fort Riley we spent a year training, then back to Iraq for a year.”

The combat veteran completed his military obligation in 2012 and separated from service.

But two deployments to war-torn Iraq took their toll. While Robert left the battlefield, the war continued to rage within.

“…get a dog”

Many veterans separating from service struggle to adapt to the civilian lives they left behind. Even the closest relationships with family and friends can feel strained.

Some veterans have a hard time translating the skills they learned in the military to find gainful employment. Others grapple with the invisible wounds of service, like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, and social isolation.

Robert would be among the estimated 60 percent of post-9/11 veterans who struggled to adapt to life after military service.

“When I got back home I had a hard time integrating in civilian life,” he confides. “I fell into depression. I had no motivation to move and started having health issues.”

The combat veteran confided his challenges with someone he trusted and received advice he did not expect.

“Someone told me I need to get a dog.”

The one

The prospect of adopting a dog for companionship and emotional support gave Robert an immediate lift. Yet reality set in when he realized that welcoming home a new pet was more than his budget would allow.

Initial costs to acquire a dog vary widely. But at minimum it is typically a few hundred dollars between adoption fees, start-up supplies, and the first veterinarian exam. So Robert made the wise choice to buy pet supplies over time rather than shoulder a large financial burden all at once.

But fate had other plans.

“While searching for weeks online I decided to give it a month or two to start gathering supplies. Such is life, that did not go as planned,” he says. “I was looking at a county shelter’s website when I seen him. I soon as I seen the goofy picture of someone holding him up to take the picture I knew he was the one.”

Boone was a large young Pit Bull mix in the care of Pasco County Animal Services. Since 2021, the municipal shelter waives fees for our members who adopt eligible dogs and cats.

The combat veteran could not wait to meet Boone. The big dog sports a stunning milk chocolate-colored coat and distinctive white markings.

“I rushed down to the shelter—that was an hour long drive—to meet him face to face.”

“…instantly transforming”

Boone did not disappoint.

Robert was taken to a meet-and-greet room at the shelter. At first he was unsure he would be able to manage the big dog due to his sheer energy and exuberance.

“I thought to myself, he’s going to be too much for me to handle,” Robert says.

“When he finally slowed down enough to say ‘hi’ to me, our eyes locked in a gaze that felt instantly transforming.”

Still, Robert was concerned about the costs of welcoming the big dog home. Then shelter staff told him about their partnership with us, and how our benefits help reduce the initial and lifetime costs of pet guardianship.

The Iraq war veteran liked the idea of working with an organization so dedicated to the needs of military veterans and those who lost a spouse in service.

“I decided to go through Pets for Patriots because I like what they stand for and they have a lot of support from various pet adoption centers, and veterinary doctors,” he says.

“With their generosity I was able to get a dog.”

So at the end of November 2024, Robert and Boone—since renamed Jethro—started their new lives together. As Robert tells the tale, he and Jethro experienced an immediate kinship that continues to this day.

“I would’ve never met Jethro without help from Pets for Patriots,” he says. “It’s amazing how quickly we bonded. I felt a bond before we left the shelter.”

Renewed purpose

While Robert fulfilled his dream of becoming a Blackhawk mechanic, the invisible wounds suffered through two combat tours to Iraq are harder to repair. But choosing companion pet adoption is a positive, life-affirming step towards improving his overall wellbeing.

Robert gets out of the house several times a day. The increased exercise is a boon to his physical and emotional health. And for the first time in a long time he feels a sense of purpose that he has not experienced since his Army service.

The Iraq war veteran is totally devoted to his four-legged battle buddy, much as he was to his brothers in arms in Iraq.

“Taking care of my dog Jethro is my hobby,” he says.

“I adopted Jethro because I needed a pet to take care of and help me to get out instead of just doing nothing.”

Gone are the days when Robert would isolate himself at home, neglecting his physical and emotional health. By rising to the responsibility of caring for Jethro he is taking care of himself, as well.

Jethro loves to explore, take long walks, and play in the tall grass. He is curious, goofy, and sweet. Like most dogs loves being pet and earning treats for good behavior.

Jethro is a sixty-pound, four-legged force of nature and unbridled happiness.

“Jethro has changed my life significantly, Robert shares. “He has given me the motivation to start moving again. He gives me hope and unconditional love.”