Patriot story: Gani + Ali (Beth will write)

Adoption date: 12/2020 Pet details:  Six year old Lab/Bassett Hound Shelter and link to webpage: San Diego Humane Society and SPCA San Diego campus: http://petsforpatriots.org/partners/san-diego-humane-society-spca-san-diego/ Branch of service: Navy Reserve

A little about me
	I’m a full time student right now studying to become a chemist, and work per diem as a medical assistant. I live San Diego, CA by myself.
My military experiences
	I was Active Duty in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman for 6 years and joined the reserves, have been doing that for about 1 year and 6 months. I’ve served overseas at US Naval Hospital Okinawa for my first 2 years after training and finish my contract here in sunny San Diego. When I was in Okinawa I worked in the Labor and Delivery Ward and assisted in deliveries and eventually filled a supervisory role on the floor. Here in San Diego I was a Corpsman for a harbor security/port security expeditionary command where I helped with medical readiness of personnel.
My most memorable experience from my time in service
	Working in the L and D ward was absolutely the most memorable experience I had while in the Navy. Being a part of the transformative and intimate moment in a families life was undeniably rewarding.
Why I chose to adopt a pet
	I’ve wanted to have a dog for a few years now and promised myself that I’d adopt as soon as I am able to. I felt that I needed a pet because I saw how filling a persons life became when taking care of a pet, of course dogs are the best since they bond uniquely with us humans.
Why I chose to adopt through Pets for Patriots
	I found out pets for patriots after a google search. I’m thankful that I came across such an organization. After reading about what you guys do it was pretty easy to decide to apply.
How my adopted pet has changed my life
	Having Marty in my life is a growing and new thing for me. I’ve never had a dog growing up and didn’t really know what it takes to have a dog. It has been an emotional roller coaster because Marty is reactive, and at first I didn’t understand what was going on with him. Now that I’ve learned to train the big boy I feel better equipped in helping him and want to make his life easier for him. I love him to death now and didn’t know I’d have such an attachment to a dog, some days are frustrating but it’s a learning opportunity for me to gain insight about what’s going on with him and it’s been great. He’s gotten a lot better and I’m really grateful to have him!
What I love most about my new pet friend
	I really enjoy playing half fetch and chasing him around the yard. Marty really enjoys running and feels that every walk will be run, this is funny because he’s such a short dog I didn’t expect him to have the energy he’s also an older dog a whole 6 years old!
What I would tell other veterans who might be thinking about adopting through Pets for Patriots
	I would hands down recommend P4P. This program makes the adoption process in favor of the veteran which is amazing, it’s perfect for someone who wants to take care of an animal who may not have a home to go to and I feel that most veterans are ready for what it may take!

We’re doing well, and no kidding it takes sometime for sure. Marty and I, I feel, have been getting to know each other pretty well and I’m growing fond of him as days go by. He is a bit fearful of people and we’ve been working that one out. I’m grateful to have him and call him a friend, I know on this journey there’ll be a lot I learn along the way.