Kyle thought he saved a dog’s life when he adopted a Pit Bull from his local shelter. He did—and got something priceless in return.

Alone and lonely

Serving in the Air Force was a gratifying, yet lonely time for Kyle. Like many young veterans he was stationed far from home and loved ones. He was single as well, which only heightened his feelings of loneliness.

Thankfully, Kyle’s spirits were lifted by the camaraderie he experienced through shared purpose and patriotism.

“Largely I felt alone in my service as I had no wife or pets and [was] very distant from family,” he shares. “But I did have friends I made in service.”

During his tour of duty Kyle served as a Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer, known as a RED HORSE.

These skilled professionals are the heavy-duty civil engineering backbone of the military and draw from all armed forces. They provide a wide range of sophisticated construction expertise and are often called to serve in combat environments.

The Air Force veteran served three deployments out of Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas before separating from service to build something of a different kind: life as a civilian.

Battle buddies

Life is far more tranquil these days, but no less rewarding. Since leaving the military Kyle married. He and his wife live in Salt Lake City, Utah and both work from home.

In 2024 Kyle lost his beloved dog Deuce, a then nine year-old Doberman Pinscher. The bond he and Deuce shared echoed those he created during his time in the military.

The pain of Deuce’s loss inspired the Air Force veteran to adopt another four-legged battle buddy.

Kyle was unsure where to turn next until someone recommended Pets for Patriots to him.

Our companion pet adoption programs champion more overlooked dogs and cats in exchange for a range of benefits that reduce lifetime costs of care and promote adoptions that endure.

It was three months after being approved into our program that Kyle met his match.

A friend in need

At the time Beary was a five year-old Pit Bull in the care of Salt Lake County Animal Services. He was in the shelter for three-and-a-half months before Kyle ever met him.

Like many shelter animals Beary struggled to get noticed by potential adopters, likely due to his large size and bully breed.

Yet something about Beary touched Kyle’s heart. An unmistakable, unspoken bond.

Perhaps the Air Force veteran recalled his lonely days in service, and how his battle buddies buoyed his spirits. Maybe he saw that the big dog needed that same ‘I’ve got your six’ kind of friend.

Lessons learned

So on a late summer day Beary—renamed Barry—went home. He joined Kyle, his wife, and their resident dog who was delighted to have a rambunctious playmate.

It took some time for Barry to find his place in the pack. Some roles he settled into sooner than later.

“He is a good protective family member and is by my side almost all day,” Kyle says.

Bringing home a new pet demands a bit of resilience. Dogs and cats are sentient beings, with stories of their own.

It takes time for most animals to adapt. Everything is new: their environment, the people around them, other animals in the home, the wax and wane of daily life. While all are improvements over being in a shelter, it is still a journey that each pet travels at his own pace.

No one knows this more than Kyle, who learned an important life lesson from his faithful Pit Bull.

“I feel good about saving him,” he says, “and he has taught me more patience.”