Matt did not set out to adopt a tripawd dog. But the disabled Army veteran met a severely injured Husky mix at his local shelter—and knew she was the one.

Army marches on its stomach

In 1990 Matt enlisted in the Army and served as a food service specialist. There is a famous saying that an army marches on its stomach, a reference to the importance of sustaining troops in battle. The quote is attributed to both Napoleon and Frederick the Great.

Matt’s tour of duty took him to Hahn Air Base in Germany, then to Fort Riley, Kansas. One of his favorite memories came during his assignment overseas.

“As a cook we aren’t really allowed to do much. So when I was offered to go see a live fire of the Chaparral missile system—phased out for the Patriot missile system—I jumped on the chance to do something at a German military base,” he recalls. “I enjoyed the opportunity and liked learning how the German mess halls were run.”

After leaving the military Matt searched for new ways to find purpose. What he did not know at the time is that his journey would include a three-legged dog.

“…fell in love”

These days Matt calls Maryland his home. The disabled Army veteran is a single father with two grown children and a grandson whom he describes as “amazing.”

There was no single reason or event that prompted Matt to consider adding a pet to his household. But he felt a certain energy was lacking in his life. He decided that he and his resident dog, Bolt, needed an new companion.

The Army veteran visited our partners Anne Arundel County Animal Care & Control where staff told him about our pet adoption program.

The shelter waives adoption fees for our veterans and Gold Star spouses, and has 90 adoptions together as of this writing.

Matt was soon to become one of those adopters. He applied to and was accepted into our program in late October 2024, but it would be another few weeks til he found his match while searching the shelter’s website.

The Army veteran saw Stella’s online profile and knew in an instant that she was special.

The Husky mix was about five years old at the time, found as a stray and brought to the shelter by a Good Samaritan. She had a badly injured paw from some unfortunate incident—no one really knows what—but her spirit was undeniable. Even before they met Matt felt an immediate connection.

“I was looking through the Anne Arundel County Animal Control website and saw Stella,” he says, “and fell in love with her instantly.”

Three-legged dog

It is perhaps no coincidence that Matt adopted Stella shortly before Thanksgiving. His heart was full of gratitude, having rescued this injured, abandoned dog who stole his heart.

Like many veterans we serve, Matt is glad that he adopted through our national nonprofit organization.

“I was intrigued with Pets for Patriots’ desire to help veterans adopt pets, and the offer of additional support after the adoption,” he says. “They have been great, and extremely supportive throughout the entire process and afterwards.”

Matt adopted Stella in November 2024. Not long after, he learned her injured front right leg could not be saved—she would need an amputation.

Surgery of any kind is costly. So Matt applied for help through our hero program. It is supported through a dedicated fund by donors who want to help adopters with pet medical bills they cannot afford.

In February 2025 Stella underwent leg amputation. Our hero fund for veterinary care paid for a majority of the cost after we secured a charity discount from the treating veterinarian.

Yet not even becoming a tripawd could slow Stella down.

“[She] acts as if they never had any kind of surgery done,” Matt shares.

“She is very happy, bouncing around like a puppy.”

Stella’s post-surgical recovery did not dim her energetic nature—quite the contrary. Finally relieved of pain, she learned to run, play, and do zoomies through the house. Removing her leg actually enhanced her quality of life.

For his part, Matt encourages other veterans—and Gold Star spouses, too—to adopt their next pet through Pets for Patriots. He is grateful for everyone who contributes to our hero fund to help Stella get her groove back.

“Don’t hesitate,” he says. “They’re wonderful.”

Stronger together

Time has only fortified Matt’s relationship with Stella. She has invested his household with a spirited energy that uplifts everyone in her orbit.

“I have had Stella now for almost a year and she has been amazing,” he says.

“She is very playful and loving. I seriously don’t know how things would be without her here. She adds that spark of happiness and joy to me and is very playful with my other dog, Bolt.”

Stella’s joyful personality shines every day. She loves being around people, sharing her goofy energy, and showing affection to everyone she meets. It is her outsized joy for life that Matt loves most about her.

“Her zooming, her goofiness, how loving she is,” he shares, “and how she loves being around her humans.”

The big Husky mix has no idea that she is a special needs pet. To her savior and adopter, she is simply special.

As a disabled veteran, Matt knows a few things about resilience. It is perhaps no coincidence that Stella’s plight touched him so deeply. An injured dog, found as a stray, one who ultimately would be his tripawd companion.

It looks like Stella knows a few things about resilience as well.