Life can be challenging, even lonely, for a military child. So one Army family chose to adopt a dog sibling for their young daughter.

Blackhawk over Baghdad

Many veterans enlist in the military to see the world and provide a stable living for their families. Robert was no different.

“I joined the military in 2009 for excitement and job security,” he says. “Today I remain in for the adventure and camaraderie.”

Robert serves in the DC National Guard as an aviation battalion XO, or executive officer. These professionals are second-in-command—chiefs of staff for battalion commanders—and responsible for a wide range of unit operations and readiness.

During his military career Robert served in some of the most dangerous places on the planet, including Iraq and Kuwait. Currently he is attached to the Joint Task Force in the nation’s capitol.

“Making DC safe and beautiful,” he says.

Yet it is a war zone experience that remains the most enduring memory of the Army veteran’s career.

“My most memorable experience was flying a Blackhawk helicopter over Baghdad in 2019.”

Ready for takeoff

It was during Robert’s deployment to Iraq that the family dog passed away. Years later, in 2025, they decided it was time to open their hearts and home to another four-legged soul.

“My child needed a sibling to play with and my wife does not want to have any more children,” Robert explains.

So several days prior to Halloween Robert and his family visited Humane Society of Calvert County. Since 2022 the shelters offers members of our program $150 off adoption fees when they rescue eligible dogs and cats.

At the time Rocky was yet another shelter dog hoping for a home. Nothing is known of his prior life, let alone if he would be a fitting companion for a young military child.

But a meet and greet at the shelter with Robert, his wife Lori, and their daughter put any concerns to rest.

Rocky joined the young Army family and was promptly renamed Rotor—an homage to Robert’s military expertise.

“…my kid’s best friend”

The Army veteran encourages other veterans to follow his lead and adopt a pet through Pets for Patriots.

Our mission to help people save pets and pets save people aims to make pet adoption more affordable for veterans, military families, and spouses of the fallen.

“Pets for Patriots is a great organization. I strongly recommend other vets adopt through them,” Robert says.

However, it is Rotor who is the real star of the story. His new family loves him and he returns their affections many times over. He is testament to the power of companion pet adoption—how ‘ordinary’ shelter animals can have extraordinary impacts on the people who save them.

“Rotor is another member of our family,” Robert shares. “He is my kid’s best friend. He sleeps in her room. She feeds him, walks him, and plays with him.”