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Wet Nose Blog
Home › Dog tales › Shelter dog helps Navy sailor expand her world

Shelter dog helps Navy sailor expand her world

June 17, 2014Dog tales

Jessica and Henley

A Navy sailor found her world feeling limited and lonely, but that all changed when an adopted shelter dog opened her eyes to the life she was missing.

A lonely military life

Jessica is currently serving in her second enlistment, and for the next three years is stationed at a shore-based training center in San Diego. She previously served on board the USS Boxer and MSRON 5, both of which took her far from familiar shores.

“So far my most memorable experience has been pulling into port after spending 110 days out to sea,” says Jessica. “It was the biggest relief and a bit of a culture shock simply being on land.”

The Navy sailor loves her job, but at times feels the weight of her sacrifice. She misses those closest to her and – being a lifelong dog lover – came to the decision to adopt a companion pet. Jessica and Henley 2

“I have always loved animals and particularly dogs,” she says. “Being away from my family and friends makes the desire for companionship even stronger.”

Adopting a dog: mission accomplished

Pet adoption was not a viable option for Jessica during her previous enlistment, but once she was assigned to shore duty she started to search for a dog.

Jessica found out about Pets for Patriots through her transfer package.

The Navy sailor looked into it, thought it “seemed like an amazing program” and decided to visit a locally participating shelter, the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. It is one of many shelters, rescues, SPCAs, humane societies and municipal animal controls partnered with the nationally operating charity to place the most overlooked dogs and cats with military veterans.

In December 2013, Jessica’s search was over.

There at the County shelter sat a then two year-old Doberman Pinscher named Baron. Jessica adopted the big dog and renamed him Henley. In addition to receiving a generous adoption fee discount from the shelter because she joined Pets for Patriots, Jessica received many other benefits that help make taking care of Henley affordable on a military salary. Henley and friend

“I would and have recommended adopting through Pets for Patriots,” the Navy veteran says, adding, “It’s an awesome program and I never would have gotten Henley without them.”

Shelter dog and Navy veteran set sail together

Prior to adopting Bentley, Jessica had a list of family and friends ready to take care of her new pet friend should she deploy or be sent out to sea again. As part of its responsibility to educate active military members about pet ownership and deployment, Pets for Patriots provided Jessica with information about deployment boarding solutions to consider if and when that time comes.

For now and for the foreseeable future, however, Jessica and Henley are content to be landlubbers.

“Henley is the best thing that has happened to me. He has expanded my world and keeps me from ever being lonely,” she says. “Plus, he wakes me up for work.”

Jessica is at times painfully aware of the challenges of military life. On the one hand there is the loneliness, and paradoxically on the other, the challenges of companionship. Jessica and Henley

“Being in the military,” she says, “it can sometimes be difficult to involve another life into yours, but Pets for Patriots gives you the tools you need to make that step.”

The young Navy veteran never regrets adopting a shelter dog who needed a home as much as she needed a friend. For his part, Henley is “adorable” and “the most affectionate dog ever.”

“He is the most goofy character of a dog I have ever met,” says Jessica. “He simply melts my heart.”

Are you or do you know a veteran who would benefit from a companion pet? Learn how we can help!

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Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!! Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!!
**Application window for Hairy's adoption closes t **Application window for Hairy's adoption closes today May 31!!**

This amazing Dog In Residence at @bobbyhotel is ready to check out of the hotel forever and into a loving home with a veteran living within 40-driving miles of our partners @NashvilleHumane! 

Click the link in our bio to apply. Hurry; Hairy's waiting!

Gratitude to @todayinnashville for sharing Hairy's need. 🥰

#adoptdontshop #nashville #nashvilletn #teamrwb #petsforvets #dogtraining #traineddog #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #nashvillehumaneassociation #petsforpatriots #bobbyhotel
Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being a hero to a pet in need!

Keisha serves in the Army National Guard and just added two year-old Toby to her pack. Thanks to our partners @bmorehumane Toby's adoption fee was waived, and this big pup's 'welcome home' gift card and year of post-adoption follow up are generously sponsored by a grant we received from @veteransunitedfoundation ...woot!!

#army #armystrong #armynationalguard #nationalguard #femaleveteran #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #hounds #houndsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #petsforvets #baltimore
On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces - and give gratitude and comfort to our Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The holiday is not about the sales, the barbecues, the day off from work. But that our lives as we know them were made possible in large part by brave souls who died in service, please pause from whatever you are doing today to remember that freedom is not free - and while all veterans give some, some have given all.

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"She has been such a joy to me. She loves me and I love her. Thank you assisting me with giving her a forever home." ~ Lisa, Army veteran, on her one-year adoption anniversary to Nala.

The now 8 year-old cat was in the care of our partners @phillypaws which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. Please consider older pets when you adopt; they have so much joy to give!

#adoptaseniorcat #adoptaseniorpet #cats_of_instagram #catsofinstagram #catsofig #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecat #armyveteran #femaleveteran #armystrong #philadelphia
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Another great adoption through our partners @chesapeakehumane - and made possible thanks to a generous grant from our friends at @veteransunitedfoundation ...anchors aweigh! ⚓

#cutedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #navyveteran #femaleveteran #navy #navylife #chesapeakeva #muttsrule #muttsofinstagram
There's just something about Hairy! For the past y There's just something about Hairy!
For the past year this handsome hound has been the resident dog ambassador at @bobbyhotel where he's been a guest favorite, greeting all visitors (2- and 4-legged alike). 

Now it's Hairy's time to check out of the hotel and into the home of a U.S. veteran living within a 40-mile driving distance to our partners @nashvillehumane.

Application deadline is Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

What you should know about Hairy:
❤ Loves frolicking in the yard and working on his frisbee-catching skills
❤ Adores car rides - a great travel buddy!
❤ Visits to the beach? Yes, please!
❤ Expert snuggler, couch curler-upper
❤ Active household that loves adventure - a must!
❤ Good with both dogs and cats...furreal!

Veterans living within 40 driving miles of our partners Nashville Humane Association must apply both to the shelter and Pets for Patriots by Monday, May 31. Hurry for Hairy!

Apply to NHA: https://nashvillehumane.org/news/nha-pets/hairy/

Apply to PFP: https://pfp.care/adopt

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet Hairy's new humans! P.S. Click the link in our bio to learn more about this exciting 'Hotel to Home' partnership!
It’s Monday. Berry says please come back Tuesday It’s Monday. Berry says please come back Tuesday. ❤️ #rescuedog #rescuedogsofinstagram #olddogsrule #olddogsofinstagram #seniorpets #adoptaseniordog #adoptaseniorcat #americanbully #muttsrule #pibble #pibblesofinstagram #dontbullymybully
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