Many veterans live with invisible wounds, such as anxiety and depression. For one Army veteran it would be a rescued Pit Bull mix who is navigating her on the road to better mental health.

Truckin’

Alicia lives in Indiana with her husband and young son, where she works as a nurse. They enjoy a quiet life centered around their small, tight-knit family.

“We are homebodies,” she shares. “With that being said, we like to spend time with each other and go out every once in a while.”

Life for Alicia is far more tranquil than during her time in the Army. She was stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas, where she served as an 88M, or motor transport operator. These professionals are responsible for the ground vehicle movement of cargo and troops in support of Army missions at home and around the world.

Yet despite the seriousness and occasional anxiety of the job, Alicia recalls a moment of relative levity as well.

“We were deployed and I was driving,” she says.

“We went to turn, which we had drove this route a lot, so I should have known the right way to turn. I ended up getting my truck in the sand.”

Alicia’s husband is a military veteran in his own right and has fun reminding her of the mishap.

“My husband still to this day reminds me of it when I am driving.”

After completing her military obligation Alicia separated from service and stepped into a new role: military spouse. Serving in the Army gave her valuable perspective to support her husband as he completed his tour of duty.

“When I got out I got to become the military wife,” she says, “while my husband finished out his contract.”

Invisible wounds

Life seemed tranquil for Alicia and her family. Yet beneath the surface she was coping with a creeping anxiety that was not going to resolve on its own.

Many veterans live with invisible wounds—even years after their military service. Alicia was among them. But she chose a path to healing that would make a positive impact on her and her family, as well as a homeless dog.

“I was looking at adopting a dog for myself,” she explains, “to help with my anxiety that I had been dealing with.”

The Army veteran first learned about Pets for Patriots through Facebook. She liked the idea of adopting a pet for companionship and emotional support, and saving the life of an animal who may have been abandoned, neglected, abused, or otherwise unwanted.

So in the waning days of 2023 Alicia was approved into our program. She took her time finding just the right pet not just for herself, but her young family as well.

In February 2024 Alicia met Rosemarie, a large young Pit Bull mix with a honey-colored coat and lively eyes. She was in the care of Humane Society for Boone County, which offers our members reduced adoption fees of $75 for dogs and $10 for cats. Alicia finalized the adoption right before Valentine’s Day and welcomed home the family’s new love bug.

“…changed my life for the better”

The big dog wasted no time making her presence known. Rosemarie—or Rosie, for short—immediately brought a welcome sense of calm to her new household, even as she enlivened it with her puppy-like antics.

Yet for Alicia, her ever so sweet Pit Bull mix has been nothing short of a blessing in alleviating her anxiety.

“Rosie has changed my life for the better,” Alicia says. “She can sense when I am feel nervous and will come lay super close to me.”

Pet adoption statistics vary, but on average only between one quarter and one third of pets are adopted from shelters and rescue organizations. Too many people still choose to buy dogs and cats or acquire them through breeders.

Adoption is the only option for Alicia and her family. In fact, they are actively searching for another pet through our program to welcome to their pack.

“I would tell other veterans this program is amazing,” she says. “It is helpful and super easy.”

The Army veteran and nurse knows a few things about healing, and chose to address her anxiety in a life affirming way. By giving a rescue dog a chance she not only saved Rosie’s life, but added immeasurably to her own and that of her family, too.

“I love how sweet she is, and how much she fits into our lives,” she says. “It’s almost like she knew what we needed.”