Member Log In

Pets for Patriots

Companion pet adoption for United States military veterans and service members

  • Adopt a pet
    • How it works
    • Veteran benefits
    • Program availability
    • Proof of service
    • Eligible pets
    • Pre-qual application
  • Be a veterinary partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Be a shelter partner
    • How it works
    • Benefits
    • Eligible pets
    • Criteria & eligibility
    • Application
  • Donate Now
    • Donate online
    • Ways to give
    • Spread the word
  • More
    • About us
      • Vision
      • Mission
      • Our team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial accountability
      • Year in review
      • Program availability
    • Making an impact
      • Forget Me Not
      • The Wet Nose Blog
      • Partner News
      • Donor News
      • Home at last
      • Welcome Home
      • Hotel to Home
    • Friends & Partners
      • Veterinarian partners
      • Shelter partners
      • Sponsors
      • Banfield
      • VIP Petcare
      • Community partners
    • Resources
      • Donor FAQ
      • Veteran FAQ
      • Shelter FAQ
      • Veterinarian FAQ
      • Other resources
    • Connect with us
      • In the news
      • Free wallpaper
      • Contact us
Wet Nose Blog
Home › Dog tales › Petite pup keeps fear and loneliness at bay for elderly Navy veteran

Petite pup keeps fear and loneliness at bay for elderly Navy veteran

May 17, 2021Dog tales

Petite pup keeps fear and loneliness at bay for elderly Navy veteran

Nancy is a Navy veteran coping with loneliness, unsure if she wanted to adopt a companion dog. But a pint-sized pup she met at a local shelter changed her mind and her life.

Picture perfect

From 1973 through 1978 Nancy served in the United States Navy as a photographer’s mate.

These professional shutterbugs were responsible for ceremonial, aerial, field, and reconnaissance photography, among other tasks. However, photographer’s mate is a job that no longer exists in the Navy.

In 1978 Nancy separated from service and worked as an accountant for the federal government until she retired. And until 2019 she lived by herself in Chesapeake, Virginia, a situation she remedied when she visited her local animal shelter.

“I live alone,” she says, “and wanted a dog to keep me company.”

Little did the Navy veteran know that a petite pup was about to change her world.

Choosing to adopt, not shop

Since 2012 Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center has offered half-priced adoptions to veterans who adopt dogs and cats through our partnership. The shelter has made possible more than 100 such lifesaving matches to date.

Nancy was unaware of our program until she visited the shelter in the fall of 2019.

Petite pup keeps fear and loneliness at bay for elderly Navy veteran

Staff at Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption Center told Nancy about the benefits of adopting through Pets for Patriots, including half-off adoption fees.

It was there that the Navy veteran met Oliver, a then two year-old Chihuahua mix who had been at the shelter since the end of August.

Keeping the blues at bay

Nancy was not entirely certain about adopting a pet, but the elderly Navy veteran knew instinctively that dogs make people happier.

It is well established that companion pets reduce stress and blood pressure, encourage regular exercise, and increase social engagement. These physical and mental impacts are particularly important for seniors because loneliness can have profound negative health effects.

A 2020 report referenced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one-third of adults over 45 are lonely. One-fourth of people 65 and older are socially isolated, meaning they have no meaningful social contacts.

Companion pets require socialization and routine, which gives their guardians a sense of purpose.

In our experience, military veterans – who are accustomed to discipline – are well-suited to the daily structure that pets require.

Petite pup to the rescue

It did not take long for Oliver – now known as Ollie – to buoy Nancy’s spirits.

“Ollie is such a joy to have around,” she shares. “I feel safer, and he gives me a reason to get more exercise.”

Petite pup keeps fear and loneliness at bay for elderly Navy veteran

The pair enjoy taking many walks each day, which is healthy for both person and pet. However, Ollie finds ways to keep Nancy engaged even when they are indoors at home.

The pint-sized pup has a favorite toy monkey and he loves playing ‘keep away’ with Nancy. He trots around with the toy in his mouth and tries to keep her from snatching it from him.

Nancy admits that she was unsure about adopting a dog, even though she had been lonely. She knew it would mean committing to that pet’s care for life.

People who are not prepared for that responsibility should not adopt, but perhaps consider fostering or volunteering instead.

But the Navy veteran made the right choice for her lifestyle and has no regrets.

“Things are great. Ollie is such a great dog,” she shares. “I hesitated about adopting a dog, but I’m so happy I did!”

PreviousNext

4 comments

  1. Alyson A. says:
    May 23, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Thank you for your service. I’m so glad that you and Ollie found each other – you look so happy!

  2. Mary Eaton says:
    May 19, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    Pets can make such an uplifting difference in our lives, both in a single person household as well as family! Thank you Nancy for taking a chance with Ollie. It has afforded you such a pleasant experience and what a handsome fellow he is!

  3. Gary Gonzalez says:
    May 18, 2021 at 11:26 pm

    So happy for Nancy & Ollie! Infinite Love & Blessings to you both : )

  4. Leslee Nicholas says:
    May 18, 2021 at 10:40 am

    NACCis a wonderful organization!! We are fortunate in Hampton Roads to have many outstanding animal care services! Cheers to Nancy and Ollie!!

Comments are closed.

Join the Conversation

  • Cat tales
  • Dog tales
  • Hope for a home
  • Mental health
  • Extra
  • Pet training & health
  • Donor News


Give with Confidence

logo logo logo logo
Make a donation today
email-icon

Did you enjoy this story?
Don’t miss the next one.

Sign up for our newsletter and get stories like these directly in your inbox.


The Dodo and GEICO honor Pets for Patriots adoptions by sharing their heartwarming tales

WATCH THE VIDEOS

Petco Foundation

PetMeds Logo 300x250

Shop 1800PetMeds for all of your pet’s health needs and we’ll get 10% of your purchase!

Shop Bissell Today!

Shop BISSELL for your home cleaning needs and they will donate 10% of your purchase to us!

Join the Conversation

Stay Connected

Join the conversation, read recent adoption stories, view featured pets needing new homes and more.

Twitter

@petsforpatriots

Follow Us

Instagram

@petsforpatriots

Puppy mills are places of unspeakable cruelty. The Puppy mills are places of unspeakable cruelty. They exist solely because of greed and a callous disregard for the lives of animals.

Thanks to @bissellpets for sharing this informative graphic on how to spot a likely puppy mill. Please share in kind and - needless to say - always adopt, don't shop!

#adoptdontshop #endpuppymills #animalcruelty #animalcrueltyawareness #adoptionistheonlyoption #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat #adoptashelterpet #rescueismyfavoritebreed
Maisie, Hawk, Mosley, Betty White, Annie, Sammy, T Maisie, Hawk, Mosley, Betty White, Annie, Sammy, Talahassee, Juju, Corn, and Pierogi - just some of the long term pets waiting way too long for a hero and a home. Meet all of our Forget Me Not pets and contact the shelters directly to inquire about adoption. Many are available for out-of-state placements; all are amazing creatures in desperate need of a loving home and all deserve no less.

Can't adopt? Share til it hurts!!

Click the link in our bio to meet them all.

#forgetmenot #weratedogs #weratecats #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #adoptasheltercat #cutedogs #cutedogsofinstagram #cutecats
Meet our recent "K" adopters, m'kay? * Kricket is Meet our recent "K" adopters, m'kay?

* Kricket is retired Navy and recently visited our partners @kitsaphumanesociety where she adopted not one, not two, but THREE petite pups! Reina pictured here is @petsforpatriots eligible, as is Remy (not pictured). But Kricket wasn't done saving lives because she threw yet another lifeline to Dior to round out her perfect petite pupper family! Thanks to @kitsaphumanesociety for giving our veterans 50% off adoption fees...anchors aweigh! 

* Konner served in the Air Force and together with his beautiful partner welcomed 4 year-old Hammer into their home. Formerly named Lucretia, Hammer is a beneficiary of our hero fund for veterinary care to help with the initial costs of prescriptions to ease pain from patellar luxation (a fancy way of saying: knee problems)! Another great fee-waived adoption through @dekalbanimals - part of the trio of @lifelineanimal shelters that participate in our program. 

Every animal saved from a shelter makes room for another animal in need to be rescued. It's estimated that only 25% of dogs and 29% of cats are adopted through shelters, numbers that are frankly pathetic. Please continue to advocate for adoption as the only option!

#adoptdontshop #adoptdontbuy #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #pitbulllove #loveabully #dontbullymybreed #cutepup #weratedogs #navyveteran #navy #airforceveteran #airforce #usaf #femaleveteran
The impacts of serving in the Gulf War left John w The impacts of serving in the Gulf War left John with crippling, severe anxiety. A spirited hound who needed a home would be just what the Army veteran needed to regain his life.

Click the link in our bio to read their tale, and thanks once again to @bmorehumane for another lifesaving match!

#army #armyveteran #milspouse #militaryspouse #ptsd #ptsdrecovery #ptsdawareness #anxiety #anxietyawareness #gulfwar #gulfwarveteran #petsforvets #houndsofinstagram #cutedogs #weratedogs #yourarenotalone
Clark retired from the Marines after more than 20 Clark retired from the Marines after more than 20 years of service to our nation. And in 2012 he was one of our early adopters - literally and figuratively - when he rescued then 2 year-old Ellie.

Ellie is now 13 and the pint-sized pup is still living large with Clark and his family, who recently gave us this heartfelt shoutout:

"Wanted to thank you for the many years of support your team has provided! It has helped out immensely over the years! Thank you all for what you have done and for what you continue to do."

Sounds like a mission accomplished to us!

Thanks to our partners @ranchocoastal - one of our earliest shelter partners - for this enduring match, and for continuing to waive adoption fees for veterans in our program.

#gotchadayanniversary #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #militaryfamily #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #usmarines #usmarinecorps #petsforvets
Ahoy, mate! Noah retired from the Navy and just th Ahoy, mate! Noah retired from the Navy and just threw a lifeline to Kali, a stunning Cane Corso mix. This big, beautiful girl was in the care of our partners @norfolkanimals which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

Click to the next photo to see their freedom ride pic!

#canecorsoofinstagram #canecorso #bigdogs #bigdogsofinstagram #bigdogstrong #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #weratedogs #navyveteran #navy #usn #usnavy #norfolkva
CJ is a disabled Marine veteran who finds joy in t CJ is a disabled Marine veteran who finds joy in the simple pleasures of life, including the addition of an older cat who joined her after the loss of a beloved pet.

Click the link in our bio to read their tale!

Thanks @sdhumanesociety for helping us make this purr-fect story possible and for waiving adoption fees for veterans in our program. ❤️

#sdhumanesociety #femaleveteran #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #cats_of_instagram #cutecat #cutecats #cutecatsofinstagram #nalacat #adoptasheltercat #adoptaseniorpet #oldcatsofinstagram #oldcats #twoisbetterthanone
You know it's love when your new Marine Corps dad You know it's love when your new Marine Corps dad gives up his armchair for you. ❤️

Congratulations to nearly 9 year-old Holly Belle who's already made herself at home. She met Chuck through our partners @fredspca - which waives adoption fees for veterans we serve...oorah!

#olddogsrule #seniordogsofinstagram #adoptaseniordog #adoptaseniorpet #olddogsofinstagram #cutedogs #weratedogs #usmcveteran #usmc #marinecorps #iserved #iadopted #petsforvets
Wishing all of our Jewish friends around the world Wishing all of our Jewish friends around the world a sweet New Year, especially the men and women of the U.S. military who serve in all corners of the world in defense of our freedoms, including the freedom to practice (or not) the faith of our choosing.

L'shana tovah!

#lshanatova #lshanahtovah #roshhashana #roshhashanah #happynewyear #jewishnewyear #freedom #freedomofreligion #sweetnewyear
Follow Us

© 2023 Pets for Patriots, Inc. | Privacy policy | Terms of use | Contact us

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.

email-icon

Let’s keep in touch.

Sign up for our newsletter to get recent adoption stories, featured pets needing new homes and more directly in your inbox.