An Air Force veteran devoted to giving older dogs a second chance became an accidental adopter when an abandoned hound came into her life.

Left to die

Bethany is a proud Air Force veteran, a single mom of two teenage boys, and a full-time employee at a Valdosta law firm. Her life is full—gardening in the Georgia sun, raising her sons, working hard—but in October 2024, something, or rather someone, was missing.

That someone was Bruno, an abandoned hunting dog who had been left to die. Animal abandonment is illegal in all 50 states, yet sadly still persists.

The eight-and-a-half year-old Coonhound/Treeing Walker mix had a rough start before meeting Bethany. He was transferred to Humane Society of Valdosta-Lowndes County from a local county shelter, and was in very bad shape.

“Bruno came to us very skinny, his hair felt wiry and rough, and he had a large mass on his chest,” the shelter shares.

“Unfortunately in the South, it’s too common to dump and abandon hunting dogs when they get old or sick. And it seemed that this was the case for Bruno.”

But Bruno’s story was not over yet.

Bethany fostered dogs through the shelter, where she became aware of Pets for Patriots. We connect veterans and Gold Star spouses with shelter animals for mutual companionship, love, and healing.

“I really like the support the program offers to veterans,” she says. “It’s clear that they truly care and want to help, and that’s very refreshing.”

At first Bruno was just supposed to be another foster. However, the shelter soon realized that fate had other plans.

“It didn’t take long for Bethany to realize that Bruno was truly the perfect man in her life.”

Serving with pride

Bethany’s life has been full of incredible experiences. She served in the Air Force National Guard from 2001 to 2009. For nearly eight years she was a full-time aircraft mechanic on A-10s.

These aircraft—known as Warthogs—are small, subsonic attack planes. However, the Air Force plans to retire the fleet by 2029 owing to newer, faster combat aircraft.

“There are so many memories from that time period,” Bethany says. “But I think my favorite is more of a series than one event. Every time a pilot stepped up into my aircraft, they were literally trusting me with their lives. The pride while watching them take off—and then the relief watching them land—is a feeling I will never forget!”

The Air Force veteran has had her share of once-in-a-lifetime moments, as well.

“I got to see the Grand Canyon from the belly of a KC-135 in air. I watched the Thunderbirds perform in Las Vegas while laying on the wing of my jet. And I stood on the outside of a control tower at the range while an A-10 flew so close I could see the reflection of the tower in the pilot’s helmet visor.”

Where old dogs rule

After years of living an adventurous life in the military, Bethany now finds peace in her own backyard in Valdosta. That is where you will find her relaxing with her two dogs: Ellie Mae, who has been with the family for 10 years, and now Bruno, the newest four-legged member.

“He’s always smiling—he might just be a mouth-breather, but it looks like a smile,” Bethany jokes. “You can’t look at that hound and not smile back!”

Bruno has truly blossomed in his new home, a recovery that began after his transfer to Humane Society of Valdosta-Lowndes County.

“Once we started to put some meat on his bones,” the shelter shares, “Bruno found his voice and, as you’d expect with a hound, he hasn’t lost it since.”

Bethany and her boys have grown accustomed to Bruno’s vocal nature.

“His bark sounds like a sea lion,” she says, “and he’s always grumbling and groaning—even in his sleep.”

The second chance dog follows Bethany everywhere, especially when she is working in the garden. After having been abandoned when he was no longer useful as a hunting dog, Bruno soaks up every bit of affection and companionship he can get.

“He loves to nap in my garden bed first thing in the mornings,” Bethany shares.

Watching him learn to be a house dog, even in his older age, is one of her favorite things about him.

Before Bruno, Bethany’s life was already full of love. But he filled a void in her family that they did not even know they had.

“He seems to have been the missing link that was always meant for us,” she shares, “but just needed to find us first.”

Being there

Bethany is a strong believer in second chances, whether for people or for pets. She recommends the Pets for Patriots program to other veterans, without reserve.

“When you email them, you get a timely response from a real person who genuinely wants to help,” she says.

“Sometimes just knowing someone is there for you, even a stranger, is more helpful than anything else.”

Now that Bruno is healthy—his chest mass turned out to be benign—he and Bethany are looking forward to many sunset walks together.

That is, until Bruno sees a squirrel in his path.

But such is life with a hound: full of surprises, full of love, and always a dash of adventure.

Want to create more success stories like Bethany’s and Bruno’s? Learn more about how you can support hero-pet adoptions through Pets for Patriots.