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As we continue to pair those in need with dogs, their inspirational stories will be shared here.
In Sept 2022, Ultimate Veteran Adventures was graciously donated several young dogs that had not been sold by a local breeder.
These Labrador Retrievers were paired with some well deserving veterans. These dogs became great companions to their new owners. Some became just house dogs. Some became their new hunting partners. All of them became part of their family.
Echo
Echo
2022 UVA Puppy recipient Logan Smith on his dog "Echo":
"I received one of the pups from the first event. I've always wanted a "Gundog" I found out about the puppy event and I put my name in for the drawing. I was selected and drove to Ohio when it was time. Echo has been one of the best companions I've ever had. I had her trained for waterfowl and upland hunting and she is doing amazing! She has such a calming demeanor about her. She knows when I need that extra support and without hesitation she comes and cuddles up with me and I can feel the weight of the world lift off my shoulders. I can't thank UVA enough for helping me find my best friend."
Raphael
Raphael
"Raphael" was surrendered to a shelter in San Antonio, TX with three of his brothers. He was at the shelter for only 3 days, the minimum, before being placed on the euthanasia list. 2 of the brothers were adopted but two remained. With less than 24 hours from being euthanized due to shelter capacity, one of our wonderful fosters pulled him and his brother, so they could have a chance at life.
After a short time in Texas with the foster, he was transported to Ohio. In this time, they were given the chance to put some weight on, become potty trained, and get a good start to life.
Oakley
3 yr old Lab mix Oakley was picked up as a stray in Kingsville, TX. He was at the shelter for over 110 days in the small 5' x 3' cell you see in this photo. He was less than 24 hours from being euthanized due to shelter capacity and many people not wishing to give him a chance due to his activity level. We partnered with Kingsville Animal Advocates and was able to transport him here to Ohio where he was fostered for 3 months before finding his forever home.
3 months was worth the wait for him though as a wonderful "civilian" family from PA was looking for the right dog to fill the void in their home after they recently lost their companion due to old age. "Our home just isn't right without a dog".
This family provided a charitable donation with Oakley's adoption, allowing us to rescue another companion.
Thank you and good luck to Oakley in his new home!
Rolo
Rolo , a forgotten soul picked up as a stray in Kingsville, TX. This gentle canine, with no one to claim him, spent the holidays in a shelter, patiently awaiting a family. Rolo faced an imminent fate of euthanasia until the day Sgt. Halfacre, a combat Desert Storm era veteran who suffers PTSD and service related disability, was contacted about the possibility of adopting this chocolate lab. Without hesitation, he exclaimed, "Yes! Yes!" expressing immediate interest in providing Rolo with a loving home.
Regrettably, the familiar narrative of the difficulties faced by veterans upon returning home resonated strongly in SGT Halfacre's experience. Struggling to connect with some individuals, even within his own family, he finds solace in his quest for companionship. His decision to seek a service companion reflects a desire for a loyal and supportive presence, stating, "I want a big dog to take everywhere. I am lonely, and a dog will love you no matter what."
Rolo (now named Dusty) was saved just in time, was fully vetted and transported to PA to live with our hero, Sgt. Halfacre, where he spends his days loving on his new best friend. We hope that Dusty can offer you many years of companionship that you have been looking for!
Ozzy
Roaming the streets as a stray, Ozzy found himself scooped up and taken to Corpus Christi Animal Care Services. Testing revealed he was positive for heartworms, a potentially fatal condition if left untreated. With each passing moment, his chance for survival dwindled, until he was slated for euthanasia.
Despite our foster homes being at capacity, we turned to social media in a desperate plea, hoping for a miracle to save Ozzy. And miraculously, one arrived. A compassionate soul stepped forward, fully aware of the challenges ahead in caring for a heartworm-positive dog.
After weeks of anticipation, Ozzy embarked on his journey from Corpus Christi to North Carolina. His new guardian eagerly awaited him at the transport's arrival, ready to welcome him into his forever home. Gradually, Ozzy is emerging from his shell, realizing that life extends far beyond the confines of a shelter's cold walls.
Reports from his adopter are encouraging – Ozzy is making strides in his recovery from heartworms and adjusting admirably to his newfound life of love and care.
Kronk
Kronk was found on the streets of Chorpus Christi TX as a stray, struggling to survive where he was picked up and brought to the shelter: sadly a place where many dogs lose their lives.
With only a few days left to live, Kronk was tagged and shortly afterwards he was transported to safety here in Ohio.
Airforce Tsgt Key who has served our nation for the past 11 years, adopted Kronk. Key has served in various locations in his service since 2013, including Colorado and England. During his overseas service, he suffered personal loss, including losing his sister, step-mother, and father, leaving him with lingering grief and anxiety.
When Key saw Kronk on our social media posts, he saw in him the potential for unconditional love and warmth that could help alleviate his pain.
Kronk now spends his days exploring National Parks and hikes with his new family. Key also hopes Kronk will enhance his new found passion for duck hunting.
Anubis
Navy veteran, Petty Officer Byrd came to us looking for a companion to help her with her struggles. Byrd is an amputee who uses a wheelchair for mobility and suffers from mental health issues, including PTSD.
In our discussions, it became evident finding the right dog was crucial. All though she was open to any dog breed, she had a dream of owning a German Shepard.
Anubis, narrowly escaping a shelter once before, came to us from a family who was no longer able to care for him. Instead of surrendering to a shelter, where his fate is almost certain death, they wanted Anubis to go to the right home.
Anubis traveled from Houston all the way to Ohio where the Sport Dogs Life and Ultimate Veteran Adventures team personally delivered Anubis to Byrd. Like a kid at Christmas, we are certain that Byrd waited by the door with anticipation. Her smile never left her face the time we were there.
That day she immediately took Anubis out for a walk in her neighborhood, something she never felt confident to do on her own. Byrd's story is a testament that animal companions can bring joy and healing to those who need them the most.
Parla
Sweet little Parla, a little female who showed signs of being a recent mother, found herself picked up and put in the shelter in Corpus Christi, TX where she eventually she was on the kill list. On top of it, she was also HW Positive. Scared and timid, timid little Parla running out of time.
An adopter stepped up just in the nick of time and we are able to tag Parla. Parla was then transported to the North East to her civilian adopter.
Her adopter writes:
"Parla is doing very well! Thank you for helping her to become part of my family, my life. She is adapting nicely... Bought her some sofy puppy toys. She absolutely is caring for them like a momma who had her babies taken away too early. She is such a love, she sleeps with me on my bed, with her "babies". She's eating fine, is playful at times. She seems happy and is definitely my shadow... but I love that!"
Arla
Arla, a very timid girl, was picked up and put into Corpus Christi ACS. Fearful in the shelter and of strangers combined with little time to adjust, getting adopted locally was not promising and she found herself on the euthanize list. She just needed someone to really love her and to take a chance on her. An adopter stepped up and were were able to tag her and pull her to safety.
You might recognize her adopter, as he is a previous adopter of ours. SGT Halfacre fell in love immediately and hoped to save her plus give Dusty (Rolo) a playmate. He reports: "Dusty and her are inseparable! ... Arla follows Dusty everywhere. Everybody loves everybody."
Bailey
Bailey was a previous emotional support animal but somehow was seized in a neglect abuse case. Seized, she found herself at shelter in Corpus Christi and was on the euthanasia list, marked for death, until we pulled her.
Bailey wasn't in foster care long when a local Ohio family noticed her. After losing their family dog after many years, they felt the longing for a 4 legged furry companion to make their home complete.
Bailey was adopted into a loving home that also has older children. With all her new humans, Bailey is getting all the love and attention she deserves!
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