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
    • 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 › Shelter dog cures combat medic’s broken heart

Shelter dog cures combat medic’s broken heart

October 17, 2016Dog tales

Shelter dog cures combat medic's broken heart

Leo was a bouncy, big-eyed shelter dog itching for a new start in life. He found it with an Army combat medic who needed help to fix his broken heart.

War and peace

In 1965, Alex enlisted in the United States Army. He started basic training in Fort Polk and combat medic training at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. Shortly thereafter he trained for a position as a neuropsychiatric technician, doing on-the-job training in San Francisco.

After serving in his final duty station at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Alex took a 10-year break from the service, but rejoined the military by enlisting in the Utah National Guard.

It was during this tour of duty that Alex deployed in support of Desert Storm – known as the Persian Gulf War – where he was the Chief Wardmaster at the 144th Evacuation Hospital. He was subsequently promoted to First Sergeant, transferred to the 625th Military Police Company and deployed to Panama for a “law and order” mission.

A long military career offers many memorable moments, but one stood out in Alex’s mind more than all the others.

“Building a 400-bed field hospital from the ground up,” he recalls with pride, noting that the team beat the 14-day deadline with two days to spare.

In August of 1999 and after more than 20 years of military service, Alex received an Honorable discharge and retired from the Army.

Cure for a broken heart

Despite retirement Alex remains a busy man. He has become very involved with the American Legion and his responsibilities require frequent travel across the state of Utah. Yet life took a wrong turn when the Army veteran suffered the painful loss of his beloved dog – and the broken heart that followed.

This mournful time, however, inspired Alex to do address his grief by giving a shelter dog a new chance at life.

Alex visited the Salt Lake County Animal Shelter, where an observant staff member noticed him sporting an Army baseball cap and told him about their partnership with Pets for Patriots. The shelter waives pet adoption fees for veterans in our program, a big cost-savings that is additional to the benefits of our program.

The Army veteran remembers that fateful day very well.

“I went looking for an animal for comfort,” he says. “I dropped by the pet shelter and found this big-eyed dog bouncing at every chance to be held.”

That big-eyed, bouncy dog was Leonardo – Leo for short – a large, young Beagle mix. Shelter dog cures combat medic's broken heart

The pair had an instant connection and the rest, as they say, is history.

Shelter dog a perfect cure

Although impossible to replace the loss of a beloved pet, it is possible to find love and comfort by saving the life of a pet in need. Alex found just that.

“He really enjoys going for rides in my truck,” he says, “[and] thinks he is supposed to drive.”

In fact, the former shelter dog has become the perfect travel buddy. The pair criss-cross the state for Alex’s duties with the Legion, but enjoy more leisurely pursuits as well.

“We take him camping with us,” Alex shares. “And he has been a blessing, especially with his energy level. He was easily house broken and has learned to open the back door to let himself in.”

The Army veteran admits to not having been completely prepared for the “bouncy” aspect of Leo’s personality, but has adjusted to his most energetic companion.

“He has lots more energy than I ever expected, but I am getting used to that.”

A perfect fit

It is not only Leo’s exuberance that gets Alex’s attention; the Army veteran is in awe of his intelligence. True to his breed Leo is people-oriented and friendly, and has proven to be an excellent judge of character.

“He loves to be around all the people I know,” he says. “Leo also has quite the intuition and can tell who the ‘good guys’ are.”

The big-eyed shelter dog offers not only companionship, but clarity of mind and spirit, even as his zest for life sometimes comes at inconvenient hours.

“He keeps me happy and focused on everything around me with his large amount of energy,” Alex shares, “sometimes waking me at 0200.”

The combat medic replaced grief with joy, and a big-eyed shelter dog found hope and a home – both shining examples of what Pets for Patriots represents. Alex has since become supportive of other veterans adopting a companion dog or cat through our program, and recommends us “constantly.”

“I tell them now how this program assisted me to adopt a pet, and supported us through the initial stages of getting him home.”

Home now has renewed meaning for this Army veteran. While the memory of his beloved dog will always remain, home is once again a place of joy. And for the bouncy, big-eyed dog named Leo, home is what every shelter dog and cat hopes to find: a permanent and loving respite from the uncertainties of shelter life, a chance to love and be loved.

PreviousNext

One Comment

  1. Valerie Cintron says:
    October 18, 2016 at 10:23 am

    So great. Thank you for putting them together and for the amazing support Pets for Patriots and its supporters give them.

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

Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with ou Friday funny: sign we saw on a recent walk with our pup...
Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spe Can we please take a moment to behold Smokey's spectacular ears? 

Okay...moment over! 🤣 This hunky hound just hit the adoption jackpot when Annette and her husband - both Air Force veterans - added this 3+ year-old fella to their family. We thank these high-flying patriots for their service and for opening their hearts and home to this magnificent beast!

#staffysaturday #dontbullymybreed #loveabull #airforceveteran #militaryfamily #petsforpatriots
When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you j When you've got a great name like Jean-Paul, you just have to adopt a dog with a double name, too...like Russia Roo!

This sweet shepherd mix and her Army veteran dad became the 148th match through our partners @pgc_pets4us - which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program...woot!

#armystrong #armyveteran #shepherdsofinstagram #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #petsforpatriots
Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one Henley was in a Virginia animal shelter until one day when the coy cat chose a dual Navy couple as his own. In time he would prove his mettle as a “little therapy cat.”

Click the link in our bio to read this purr-fect adoption tale, and thanks to our partners @chesapeakehumane for helping us make it all happen!

#adoptasheltercat #navycouple #iserved #therapycat #petsforpatriots
Mila is mesmerizing!! This stunning 3 year-old mi Mila is mesmerizing!!

This stunning 3 year-old mix just set sail with Jared, who for more than 10 years and counting serves in the Navy. The pair were matched through our partners @kitsaphumanesociety which offers veterans in our program 50% off adoption fees. Anchors aweigh!

#navy #adoptashelterdog #kitsaphumanesociety #petsforpatriots #muttsrule
Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline Megan serves in the Navy and just threw a lifeline (and a cone!) to Little Man, a stunning adult cat she met through our partners @vbspca. Megan received a 25% adoption fee discount and has access to their low-cost veterinary clinic without proof of income - just a couple of the benefits of adopting through our partnership.

All we know is that this is one very lucky black cat! Smooth sailing, Megan and Little Man!

#blackcat #adoptasheltercat #femaleveteran #navyveteran #petsforpatriots
Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid h Last week we shared that Joan, Army veteran, bid her senior Pittie rescue and @petsforpatriots alum Jerry a peaceful trip over the Rainbow Bridge. 🌈

Joan knew she needed to dust herself off and save another 4-legged soul, so earlier this week she rescued 5 year-old Smokey, a stunning Cane Corso she met through our partners Baltimore County Animal Services, which gives veterans we serve 50% off adoption fees.

We're so honored that many veterans, like Joan, are repeat adopters through our program - embracing our mission to save the most vulnerable shelter animals while benefiting from their loyalty and love. ❤️

#rainbowbridge🌈 #adoptashelterdog #armystrong #petsforpatriots
Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one Pet adoption was not in Linda’s plans until one day when the lonely Marine met a shelter cat who turned her life around.

“I never knew one could love an animal so deeply. She brings so much happiness to my life."

Click the link in our bio to read this sweet tale, and thanks to @vbspca for another purr-fect match together!

#adoptasheltercat #loneliness #femaleveteran #marinecorps #beapetshero #petsforpatriots #youarenotalone
Cornelia was born and raised in France and her hus Cornelia was born and raised in France and her husband Ed in Belgium. Yet both served their adopted nation - Ed in the Navy and Cornelia in the Army. The pair met in New Jersey and married on Veterans Day more than 20 years ago.

These days the couple lives in an assisted living facility and, sadly, Ed's health is such that he's not always able to interact with Cornelia. She grew lonely and wanted nothing more than a little dog to love.

After months of searching, mission accomplished! Thanks to our partners @ywacpets for going the extra mile to help Cornelia find the perfect match:

"She's exactly what I needed and wanted.  She's 9 pounds of love.  She kisses me on the mouth and then turns on her back placing her neck over my mouth so I can kiss her and tell her I love her.  She sleeps with me and is being spoiled rotten by all the employees at the facility, directors on down." ~ Cornelia, US Army veteran ❤️

#armystrong #femaleveteran #adoptashelterpet #loverescuedme #petsforpatriots
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.