Tim came home from war a different man. But even he did not realize that a rescue dog would be the battle buddy he needed all along.

Lean on me

For many Americans, the war in Afghanistan is a distant memory. Not so for the thousands of veterans who still struggle to transition from the battlefield to the home front. Tim is one such veteran. War changed him in ways that continue to leave an imprint on his daily life.

“I’m a combat veteran who never came home the way I left.”

Although Tim was never formally diagnosed, he struggles with vivid memories of his service in Afghanistan as an infantryman, or military occupational specialty 11B. These professionals comprise the military’s largest ground combat force and work to vanquish threats to our nation around the world.

Today life is simpler. Tim works in a warehouse and enjoys spending time with his wife and children. Life looks different now, but some memories remain close.

One enduring experience rises above the rest: the camaraderie forged through shared service and sacrifice. Battle buddies who would die to protect you.

“The guys I deployed with,” he says, “we always leaned on each other to make it through each and every day.”

“…I needed him”

Years after returning home Tim felt that something was still missing. His wife noticed it as well, and encouraged him to adopt a companion dog. Like many would-be adopters Tim started his search on the web. One dog’s picture stood out immediately.

“I started browsing online,” he recalls, “and when I seen Pete in the pictures I knew I needed him.”

At the time, Pete was a large, year-old mixed-breed hound in the care of Eastbourne Animal Center. He arrived at the shelter one month prior and, like many large dogs, was waiting for his hero.

Shelter staff told Tim about our partnership when he asked if they offered a military discount. Since 2012 Eastbourne Animal Center offers fee-waived adoptions to our members when they adopt eligible dogs and cats.

Seeing Pete in person sealed the deal for Tim. He was approved into our program the day before and fittingly—on Thanksgiving—he adopted the dog who would become his faithful battle buddy.

“…what we were missing as a family”

It seems impossible to overstate the immediate and enduring impact Pete has had on Tim’s life. Except for when the Army veteran is at work, the pair are together all of the time. And like any good battle buddy, Pete has a keen sense for when he is needed most.

“He is at the door when I come home from work when my anxiety is at its max,” Tim says.

“He always knows what to do to calm me back down. When I’m not at work he is with me everywhere I go, whether it’s to pick the kids up from school, just a trip to the store, or on a drive to go see family.”

Yet it would be a mistake to think Pete confines his affections to his savior. He is proving to be an equal opportunity family member, and assumes a different role with each person in his pack.

“He’s not only good for me, he plays with the kids [and] my wife,” Tim shares.

“He’s just all around what we were missing as a family. We just never knew it.”

An always there friend

Many people think that only service animals can heal invisible wounds like those that many veterans suffer.

But the simple fact is that most people neither need nor qualify for a service animal, but can benefit tremendously from the right companion pet—without the considerable time and financial investment involved in acquiring a service animal.

Pete, for his part, is a four-legged therapeutic wonder. And he does his magic just being himself, no special training required. His mere presence uplifts everyone around him.

The big hound enjoys typical dog pursuits, such as playing ball and fetching sticks.

However for Tim, Pete’s impact on his life goes far beyond a good game of fetch. Pete’s steady, reliable companionship echoes the camaraderie Tim experienced in combat.

“The thing I love the most about Pete is he’s like a battle buddy to me,” he shares.

“On my days where I’m at my worst he is always there. The way he seems to know how to react to the day I’m having, whether it’s good or bad, he always makes it better.”

The support Tim received through Pets for Patriots endures as well. In addition to our benefits to lower lifetime pet care costs, we follow up with every adopter for at least one year. Many choose to stay in touch for years, often returning to adopt an additional pet through our nationwide program.

“The process what super easy from my end and there was someone there to help me every step of the way,” the Army veteran says. “I couldn’t ask for a better program, and y’all made me feel like a person, not just a number. Even after the adoption of Pete y’all continued to check up on me.”

Looking back, Tim marvels at how Pete has become as a pup with a purpose—one that Tim and his family had not even considered when they decided to adopt a companion pet.

“Thank you guys so much for the opportunity that you have given us by helping with Pete,” he says. “He is what we were missing as a family and didn’t realize we needed.”