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Home › Dog tales › Healing at both ends of the leash for disabled veteran and special needs dog

Healing at both ends of the leash for disabled veteran and special needs dog

March 16, 2015Dog tales, Mental health

Dewey is a disabled Vietnam veteran who came to the realization that he “needed a therapy dog to help fight depression.” At the same time he had a strong desire to help a dog in need, so he returned to the Michigan Humane Society where he and his wife had previously adopted companion pets.

“I knew at the “Michigan Humane Society there was a dog that needed the therapy of a home and love,” Dewey says.

As it turns out that dog was Lizbeth: a 30-pound, nearly purebred Beagle with loving brown eyes. Lizbeth (Dewey)_400

The Vietnam veteran’s first encounter with Lizbeth was nothing short of “love at first sight,” despite the young dog’s special needs. In addition to needing care for recurring urinary tract infections Lizbeth was obese, and subject to severe arthritis and back problems that are seen frequently in overweight Beagles.

In only two months since adopting his new companion, Dewey is proud to report that Lizbeth slimmed down to her target weight and has not had another urinary infection. However, both problems require his continued vigilance and care.

Experiencing Vietnam

Dewey served in the First Air Cavalry in Vietnam. The unit was considered an important wartime innovation for its use of helicopters to move and position light infantry across the battlefield. Reflecting on his service, the now disabled veteran believes it gave him the opportunity to fight for his country and experience life in a foreign nation.

Upon returning home Dewey was able to earn both Masters and Specialist degrees in Special Education through the G.I. Bill.

Of squirrels, cuddles and football

All the animals that Dewey and his wife have welcomed into their home over the years have been adopted through the Michigan Humane Society Rochester Hills location, so the decision to return there in search of a new dog was a natural one. The shelter offers a generous adoption fee discount and ongoing, reduced cost veterinary care to all veterans who adopt through its partnership with Pets for Patriots, while Pets for Patriots provides generous benefits to veterans like Dewey once they adopt a program eligible dog or cat.

Lizbeth – or “Beth” as she is affectionately nicknamed – now lives a very different life. She spends her days cuddling and watching football with Dewey, and bringing her toys to him when she wants to play. She especially loves it when he throws a ball for her to fetch, but only as long as she gets a treat in exchange.

Although Beth enjoys lazing about the house, all that changes when she and Dewey go out for a walk. The adopted dog is then officially on squirrel patrol.

“[She has] pulled her 240-pound master to the ground twice while rearing up on her back feet and struggling to get that doggone squirrel,” says Dewey.

On one occasion Beth broke free and Dewey had to dive to catch her leash. He is now working with her to stop her neighborhood squirrel obsession – or at least to make it more manageable for Dewey. The Beagle has been known to “exhaust herself” barking at the squirrels she can see through the window in her room. As it happens, Beth’s twin obsession is treats – which Dewey uses judiciously to guide her to do his bidding, such as when he needs to lure her back into the house after an episode of squirrel watching.

“I buy the long treats and cut them down to short pieces,” he explains, “and gladly she runs to me. I grab her leash and gleefully we go into the house.” 

Caring for Beth has given Dewey a renewed sense of purpose, and has helped alleviate his nagging depression. The disabled veteran sees the dog’s health issues – her propensity for urinary tract infections and ongoing battle with her weight – as worthy of every special effort. In the end, Dewey understands what is most important to his newfound friend: “giving back love while receiving love.”

Learn more about what makes special needs pets so special here.

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6 comments

  1. Daniel Woody says:
    May 28, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Hi Dewey,

    Bear with me while I share a tale of an E-collar and my recently adopted pet, Edison, also in a Pets-for-Patriots BLOG subject. First, Edison is perfect and surprisingly intelligent but he was also an escape artist and would run 500 yards before ALLOWING me to catch him. 5 times he pulled me to the ground during this winter’s ice and snow days. So I got an E-collar that I was very hesitant to use which meant I had to use it on myself to be sure I was not going to “fry” my new friend. The most intense shock was was only about the same as the pinches that the nuns would administer in grammar school (and I got a lot of those)… After two shocks totalling one-half an hour, Edison no longer runs away and is far more managable on the leash while walking. The conclusion is that he enjoys far more freedom , walking with me, off leash. Walking is less tiring for me since the tug-of-war moments are dimished. “The thing is a miracle” to put it bluntly!

    I just thought I would share…

    Daniel Woody

  2. Patricia kunze says:
    April 16, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    PLEASE keep in touch have animals posted that NEED homes

  3. christine says:
    March 26, 2015 at 6:31 pm

    Yes what a heartwarming true story. This story reminds me of one of my car stickers – “Who rescued Who”. Please everyone consider adopt ing a do, cat etc. You’ll be glad you did! Save an animals life.

  4. Kristina says:
    March 24, 2015 at 2:58 pm

    Such a sweet story. The squirrel patrol sounds just like my beagle!

  5. Melinda Prator Warmack says:
    March 24, 2015 at 11:22 am

    God blessed both Dewey and Beth. Thank you Dewey for your service in Vietnam. Rescued animals always seem to give 100% to those that adopt them. What a wonderful story

  6. Frank Klafs says:
    March 17, 2015 at 10:23 am

    there is great joy in giving a shelter dog a loving home

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**Application window for Hairy's adoption closes t **Application window for Hairy's adoption closes today May 31!!**

This amazing Dog In Residence at @bobbyhotel is ready to check out of the hotel forever and into a loving home with a veteran living within 40-driving miles of our partners @NashvilleHumane! 

Click the link in our bio to apply. Hurry; Hairy's waiting!

Gratitude to @todayinnashville for sharing Hairy's need. 🥰

#adoptdontshop #nashville #nashvilletn #teamrwb #petsforvets #dogtraining #traineddog #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #nashvillehumaneassociation #petsforpatriots #bobbyhotel
Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being a hero to a pet in need!

Keisha serves in the Army National Guard and just added two year-old Toby to her pack. Thanks to our partners @bmorehumane Toby's adoption fee was waived, and this big pup's 'welcome home' gift card and year of post-adoption follow up are generously sponsored by a grant we received from @veteransunitedfoundation ...woot!!

#army #armystrong #armynationalguard #nationalguard #femaleveteran #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #hounds #houndsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #petsforvets #baltimore
On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces - and give gratitude and comfort to our Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The holiday is not about the sales, the barbecues, the day off from work. But that our lives as we know them were made possible in large part by brave souls who died in service, please pause from whatever you are doing today to remember that freedom is not free - and while all veterans give some, some have given all.

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**THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like: **THIS** is what rescued looks like/sounds like:

"She has been such a joy to me. She loves me and I love her. Thank you assisting me with giving her a forever home." ~ Lisa, Army veteran, on her one-year adoption anniversary to Nala.

The now 8 year-old cat was in the care of our partners @phillypaws which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. Please consider older pets when you adopt; they have so much joy to give!

#adoptaseniorcat #adoptaseniorpet #cats_of_instagram #catsofinstagram #catsofig #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecat #armyveteran #femaleveteran #armystrong #philadelphia
Pets for Patriots alums Chadwick (black dog) and 1 Pets for Patriots alums Chadwick (black dog) and 12 year-old Bowser (brown dog) on a little @petsmart shopping spree!

Bowser was adopted in 2012 and is now battling terminal cancer. His mom and dad tell us that his diagnosis doesn't stop Bowser from enjoying life to the fullest, whether that's shopping with brother Chadwick, visiting the beach, or ending the day with a nice puppacino!

#caninecancer #adoptdontshop #seniorpets #seniorpetsofig #seniordogsofinstagram #twoisbetterthanone #shoppingspree #sandiego #dogsonthebeach
Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Navy, saw this precious 2 year-old pupper and said, "Let's sail away."

Another great adoption through our partners @chesapeakehumane - and made possible thanks to a generous grant from our friends at @veteransunitedfoundation ...anchors aweigh! ⚓

#cutedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #navyveteran #femaleveteran #navy #navylife #chesapeakeva #muttsrule #muttsofinstagram
There's just something about Hairy! For the past y There's just something about Hairy!
For the past year this handsome hound has been the resident dog ambassador at @bobbyhotel where he's been a guest favorite, greeting all visitors (2- and 4-legged alike). 

Now it's Hairy's time to check out of the hotel and into the home of a U.S. veteran living within a 40-mile driving distance to our partners @nashvillehumane.

Application deadline is Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

What you should know about Hairy:
❤ Loves frolicking in the yard and working on his frisbee-catching skills
❤ Adores car rides - a great travel buddy!
❤ Visits to the beach? Yes, please!
❤ Expert snuggler, couch curler-upper
❤ Active household that loves adventure - a must!
❤ Good with both dogs and cats...furreal!

Veterans living within 40 driving miles of our partners Nashville Humane Association must apply both to the shelter and Pets for Patriots by Monday, May 31. Hurry for Hairy!

Apply to NHA: https://nashvillehumane.org/news/nha-pets/hairy/

Apply to PFP: https://pfp.care/adopt

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet Hairy's new humans! P.S. Click the link in our bio to learn more about this exciting 'Hotel to Home' partnership!
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