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 › Rescued dog eases burden of Marine combat veteran

Rescued dog eases burden of Marine combat veteran

May 15, 2012Dog tales

Jason and Javi Lynn

Sometimes all it takes is a rescued dog to ease the invisible, but heavy burden carried by our combat veterans. This is one such story from Jason, a dual Army and Marine veteran, and how his rescued dog changed his life for the better.

***

From battlefield to homefront

I have been a dog lover all of my life.

I remember almost every dog that ever followed me home from my paper route as a kid to the brave K-9 Marines I crossed paths with in Afghanistan. I currently live in Utah and do marketing for a large physician pain practice. I do have to say: I am a bit of a private person and hope that you understand that I really want to focus on dogs and their impact on combat veterans who continue to carry a pack well after the rounds have stopped flying. 

Haas
Haas, ever diligent

I have spent over 20 years in the military, from starting out as an enlisted soldier in the Army to a Major in the United States Marine Corps. I have done multiple combat tours while serving in the Marines including Iraq, the South Pacific and Afghanistan. With all the time I have spent in the military, I do have to say that the core of our military might is not from the generals or colonels: it feeds from the enlisted Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen. They sacrifice so much to bring our nation’s might to bear on foreign soil and usually end up paying the price of carrying the heavy burden of multiple combat tours, returning to home feeling out of place or distant from family and friends who once had so much in common with them.

Leadership earned, not given

I can tell you from the officer perspective that you do not ‘fall-in’ to your very first platoon and have immediate respect from those Marines.

You have to earn it, although there are some who would argue that the rank you wear on collar should demand this from day one. This is not true; the Marines need to know you will do everything in your power to not only reward them, but also drive them to do their best and correct them in a professional manner when they need it. Once they know that you have ‘their back’ they will run to gunfire to do their duty under your leadership, and this has never changed.

A dog to help carry the burdens of war… and a legacy

I knew that dogs got me through tough times in the past and that this ‘weight’ that I carry around these days could be eased with another beautiful Australian Shepherd. I had a dog already that, simply put, is amazing. Haas will turn 16 this August and I wanted to somehow carry on his legacy. He has had some setbacks with a stroke, vestibular disease, blindness, deafness and just getting old, but he carries on every day, rain or shine. We could learn a lot from his dedication and loyalty. Now Javi-Lynn will learn from him and inspire me while doing it. 

Jason and Javi Lynn
Jason and Javi Lynn go fly fishing

[Javi-Lynn honorably adopted Jason through our partnership with the Utah Animal Adoption Center in Salt Lake City, where members of our program receive a 50% adoption fee discount, bag of pet food and slip leash collar.]

As Haas is now older, he can only be groomed at a veterinarian’s office. When I dropped him off for the first time after I returned from Afghanistan I saw the Pets for Patriots flyer.

I had heard about Pets for Patriots before, but it just hit me that day: this is something I need to do for myself. I stared at the flyer for several weeks even before I logged onto the website. Then slowly I began my search, and then one day I saw a picture of Javi (at that time, Zelda) and knew that she was ‘the one.’

Javi is young and full of energy. We had the usual occurrences of chewed up shoes, books, etc. For some reason, this did not bother me at all. I knew that was just a starting point to begin to train and spend time with her. I knew she would give me back just as much and more, and in turn would ask very little from me. She sleeps on the bed with me and knows when it is time to get up and start my day. She runs wild for some time then settles down as I prepare for the day, and casually goes into her kennel on her own when I emerge fully dressed and ready to go.

She makes me smile every morning and somehow knows that I changed her life for the better, much like she has changed mine. She is my dog and loves my daughter, but at the end of the day she knows that her job is to be at my side.

I can’t convey how much this has improved my life.

Javi Lynn and Haas on post
Javi Lynn and Haas on post

I know that my Haas dog will one day very soon will leave my side and join all those other dogs who have impacted my life, from childhood to adulthood, but now he can do it knowing that I will be taken care of for many years to come. I see this in his eyes every day. Although blind, his wisdom is still expressed in the dark eyes that once tracked tennis balls, frisbees and wildlife as they flew through the air. 

A combat veteran speaks from the heart

You deserve this.

I know that many of the veterans think that this is not for them, but this is exactly what you need. This is not a charity; it is a compassionate organization that truly believes in the power of pets and how perfectly they fit into a veteran’s life who still carries the pack.

A pet can help ease the burden, share in pain and heal wounds that my not have a visible scar.

I highly recommend adopting a pet through Pets for Patriots; it can improve and even change your life. Never a judgment, they [pets] can listen for hours, give you that look that tells you everything is going to be all right.

 How does your pet make your life a little better each day?

PreviousNext

3 comments

  1. ssgt leslie says:
    June 5, 2012 at 8:20 am

    thank you for the great article and yes i agree having any type of pet, may it be a companion, service pet does make a difference in ones lives. as a combat veteran from oef/afghanistan/2003, having a service dog, and i am very lucky, she gets me to places where i need to be. thank you for all your do,

  2. Veronica Culbertson says:
    May 27, 2012 at 10:12 pm

    On this weekend, of course we remember and salute all those that have given so much for this country! We are also grateful of the sacrifices of their families, which includes the unconditionally loving pets that faithfully wait for our patriots to come home. I’m glad to see you get a new friend to help you.

  3. Barbara says:
    May 25, 2012 at 11:21 am

    I just want to share with you that I know how much a dogs love can help people in so many different ways. I am happy that you adopted yours. Because they truly know you have saved them and in return they save you. Whenever I see a dog they light up my eyes. I wish the best for you.

    Barb

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.