Jan lives a quiet, yet active life with his wife and their two dogs. Among them is a quirky rescue dog adopted after one of the couple’s German Shepherds passed away.

Life at sea

After 20 years of service Jan retired from the Navy. He served from 2003 to 2023 and—upon his retirement—decided to go to college.

“[I’m] retired from the Navy and now a full-time college student,” he says. “Happily married and live with our two dogs.”

Life is mostly tranquil now. But for the better part of two decades, Jan traveled the globe with the Navy.

“[I’ve] done multiple deployments to Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Served as an information systems technician,” he says. “Joined because I wanted to experience the military and enjoyed my first term enough to decide to re-enlist. Multiple times.”

Jan’s military occupational specialty—or MOS—carried serious responsibilities. These technicians maintain operational continuity for complex computer systems aboard ships and submarines.

The job was sobering and serious. But Jan recalls moments of levity over the course of his long naval career, with one standing out above the rest.

“While deployed to the North Arabian Gulf, I was tasked with investigating a floating object on the ship’s path,” he recalls. “My crew and I were lowered in an 11-meter RHIB into the water with cameras and weapons to investigate the suspicious object.”

An RHIB is a special warfare rigid inflatable boat. Typically they are used for sailors for ‘board and search’ naval operations.

However, at sea not everything is always as it seems.

“Turns out,” Jan says, “it was a large, dead, inflated puffer fish.”

For the love of dogs

The Navy veteran confides that he has always loved animals—dogs especially.

So after the passing of one of his two German Shepherds Jan applied to Pets for Patriots. He and his wife committed to adopt, and not shop for their next pet.

The Navy veteran learned about our pet adoption program from a local shelter partner.

“When visiting the local SPCA shelter,” he says, “we noticed an advertisement for Pets for Patriots.”

Since 2012 Virginia Beach SPCA has teamed up with us to place dogs and cats with area veterans. They offer a 25 percent adoption fee discount, and access to their low-cost veterinary clinic.

To date we have more than 600 such adoptions through our partnership.

“We decided to adopt through your program because it helps a good cause,” Jan says.

Soon after Jan and his wife met the perfect match for their dog-centric family. Bentley at the time was a big German Shepherd mix. And the quirky dog was a perfect foil for their resident dog, Lexi.

Home

It did not take long for Bentley to find his place with his new family. And he makes sure that his presence is known.

“Bentley brings lots of energy and noise to our household,” Jan shares. “He makes us laugh and smile every day because of his quirky personality. He is a good companion for our other dog—the annoying little brother.”

Bentley is equally present for the family’s many outdoor adventures.

Jan and his wife enjoy many active pursuits—especially if they can bring along their dogs. They love to hike, go mountain biking, and explore new places together.

Bentley and Lexi are always part of the pack.

Life’s little moments

Back at home, Bentley is ever the clown. Despite his size he is as playful as a little pup, and has invested his new home with his unique personality.

“[He] wakes us up in the morning by sticking his cold nose under the covers,” Jan says. “Talks back to us. Wants us to chase him.”

In many ways the big, quirky dog is just like any other. Loves long walks. Is always up for a car ride.

Reflecting on their adoption, Jan appreciates how easy it was to work with us. And he values how we stayed in touch before, during, and long after he rescued Bentley.

“Absolutely, your organization is doing wonderful things for animals and people,” he says. “Pets for Patriots has been supportive through the adoption process in 2022 and since then.”

But adopting Bentley was more than adding a pet to Jan’s household. It was more than filling the void of the previous dog who passed away.

It is all about how this quirky dog brings joy and connection to his new family’s tight-knit pack. A reminder to smile, to laugh, to enjoy the many little moments that make a life.