After the death of her emotional support dog Sherry tried to live a dog-less life. But a creeping anxiety inspired the Army veteran to adopt an old dog who needed her as much as she needed him.

Born to serve

Since the eighth grade Sherry knew she would join the Army. She had a role model right in her own family.

“My oldest brother served, so I decided that I would follow him,” she recalls. “The ridicule for the next four years did not sway me at all.”

What followed was a 14-year military career in the Army and Army National Guard. Through her service Sherry saw the world.

“My favorite duty station was Germany,” she shares. “My least favorite, hands down—Fort Hood, Texas.”

Throughout Sherry’s multiple enlistments she served in various roles. These include acting supply sergeant, supply clerk, armorer, and truck driver.

One of the Army veteran’s most enduring memories was the occasion of a command inspection.

“So my first sergeant tasked me with ensuring that our least proficient soldier was inspection ready. I spent hours getting his uniform ready,” she recalls.

Sherry offered the wayward soldier a ride to formation, which he declined. Instead he arrived on a bicycle—no less in the rain—and covered in mud.

“I can’t begin to tell you how angry I was,” Sherry shares.

After nearly a decade-and-a-half of service, Sherry transitioned from the Army to start her life anew.

Faith and family

The Army veteran is long since separated from service, but keeps herself busy. Very busy.

“Hello, I am totally about that G-d life [and] family life,” she says. “I have a combined six children and eight grandchildren. I love to make jewelry, and spend time with family and friends.”

A big part of Sherry’s life was a pet dog who helped keep her anxiety at bay. But the sudden loss of her trusted companion shattered Sherry’s otherwise tranquil life.

“The pet that I had passed suddenly. She was actually my emotional support animal.”

These animals are personal pets whose mere presence helps people with emotional disabilities. Unlike service animals, they do not need be trained to perform specific tasks. And they are not permitted in places where pets are disallowed—with very limited exceptions.

The Army veteran tried to soldier on without a dog. That effort was short-lived.

“I tried living without one for a while, but I could feel the anxiety rising up again,” she explains. “So I knew that I needed another animal.”

Pets for Patriots

In early January 2024 Sherry visited The Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County.

The shelter offers members of our program reduced adoption fees of 16 dollars, and has more than 135 adoptions through our partnership.

Shelter staff told Sherry about Pets for Patriots and our companion pet adoption program for veterans.

The decision to apply to our program was an easy one.

We help make pet adoption more affordable and durable for our nation’s heroes with various benefits and surrender prevention programs. It is all in support of our philosophy of adoptions for life.

“As a disabled person the pension only goes so far,” Sherry shares.

“I could not and can not afford 300 dollars or more for an animal. This solution was offered to me and I gladly accepted.”

In time an unlikely old dog would come to Sherry’s rescue—and she to his.

Six pounds of personality

It was a few weeks later that Sherry met her match: Buddy, a 10 year-old dog with chronic flea allergies.

The petite pup weighed barely more than a small bag of sugar. He had been found as a stray, so nothing is known about his prior life or how he became homeless.

While small dogs are in high demand, the demand for seniors—much less with special needs—is tiny at best.

But neither Buddy’s age nor chronic allergies deterred Sherry from adopting him. To this day she credits the pint-sized old dog with giving her back her world. The Army veteran soon learned that big things do indeed come in small packages.

“My Buddy, with his tiny, unassuming size, has the biggest personality,” she shares. “He is very determined and demanding. He will not allow me to simply ignore him.”

Yet Sherry does not mind Buddy’s persistent peskiness. Rather, it is one of his qualities that she values most.

“And I love it,” she says, “because it does not permit me to crawl into my shell and hide.”

“I love everything about him”

In adopting Buddy, Sherry realizes that she saved him as well. And there is nothing that she would change about her petite old dog.

“I love everything about him. He brought me out of my shell and I brought him out of his.”

Companion pets are naturals at helping people make and strengthen social connections. They foster casual conversations that often lead to more meaningful relationships.

‘Ordinary’ dogs and cats foster feelings of purpose and self-worth. They reduce incidence of depression and anxiety. And they do it all without any special training.

“If you are tired of feeling lonely and anxious, a pet will not only give you the companionship that we as humans need in our homes,” Sherry shares, “but will also give you the courage and strength to get out and make human friendships.”