Tony spent his naval career helping others. So it was no surprise that in retirement he sought renewed purpose by saving a rescue dog.

A helping heart

In 1989 Tony enlisted in the Navy and retired after two decades of service. It was a memorable career that included six deployments to the Gulf.

Over the course of his career the Navy veteran earned the rank of senior chief petty officer.

Tony served aboard the USS Eisenhower, Enterprise, and Nimitz. Twice he served shore duty at Naval Air Maintenance Training Unit in Jacksonville. He retired out of North Island, California.

Twenty years of service yielded too many memorable experiences to count. Yet it was the sense of purpose Tony felt that he remembers most.

“Just the overall ‘helping those who cannot help themselves’ life,” he shares.

And like most veterans, Tony reflects on the unique camaraderie of military service.

“Also the friendships and commitments to each other,” he shares. “When you’re in the middle of nowhere your coworkers become your family.”

A purposeful life

In 2009 Tony retired with an honorable discharge and returned to civilian life. But while the man left the Navy, the need for a sense of greater purpose remained.

So now Tony works for his local diocese at a Catholic cemetery in Pinellas Park, Florida. It is important work that adds meaning to his life. And then there is his family, both two- and four-legged members.

“I am married and have three kids that are all grown and out of the house,” he shares.

“We have two mini Pugs that we rescued a little less than three years ago.”

In their downtime and weather permitting, Tony and his wife enjoy being outdoors and riding their bicycles.

It is a full and fulfilling life. Yet for Tony, something – or someone – was missing.

Peace be with you

Although Tony has a meaningful job, he felt the lure for more.

“I wanted a friend, a companion, a purpose, and a pet that wanted to be loved,” he explains.

So in May 2024 we approved the retired Navy veteran into our program. But it would be a few months until the right shelter pet sailed into his life.

It is our focus on overlooked dogs and cats that captured Tony’s heart.

“I wanted to support and be a part of an organization that helps pets – who have been displaced for many reasons – find a forever home,” he says. “I also wanted to support an organization that helps veterans get a little peace in their life though pet companionship.”

Finally, almost five months after his approval, Tony met his match.

“She’s a little human”

Kyara – or Kia, for short – was a large, young Pit Bull mix in the care of SPCA Tampa Bay.

The organization joined our free shelter partner program in 2019 to help place the more overlooked pets in their care. To date, SPCA Tampa Bay has dozens of adoptions through our partnership.

Tony does not say what it was that drew him to Kia. Maybe it is the dog’s almost human-like qualities when she meets people.

“She has been so friendly to everyone and everything that you almost feel like she’s a little human [more] than a dog.”

Kia wasted no time settling into life with her new family. And she made it clear that she was the kind of companion Tony had been seeking.

“Within two weeks Kia has displayed uncanny ability to be so well mannered, loving, and a friend,” Tony says. “More than any other animal I have ever been around.”

From big baby to big girl

Like actual people, Kia has moments when she wants to be close and others when she wants to be left alone. Tony enjoys the big dog’s more affectionate moments.

“What I like the most is that she is a big baby that likes to be near, on or touching you all the time,” he says, “but then will get her space.”

When the Navy veteran first adopted Kia he had her sleep with him on the couch. He felt a sense of purpose to ease any fears of her new surroundings – and be ready if she needed to relieve herself.

Kia would soon be “a big girl” and sleep on the couch by herself. But she does not stay there for too long.

“Usually after a couple of hours I feel her crawl up to me,” Tony shares, “and lay down so she can touch me in bed.”

All about the people

While nighttime is for snuggling, daytime brings exercise – a lot. Kia is a young adult dog with an abundance of energy. And Tony enjoys the positive effects their walks have on his own health, too.

“We take at least four or five walks a day. Sometimes for just 10 minutes,” he says, “sometimes for over an hour.”

The Navy veteran is learning more about his new companion with each passing day. Kia shows no fear and never barks. She does not like to play with toys, but likes to sleep with a stuffed lamb toy under her chin.

And above all, Kia adores the humans.

“She loves to meet people,” Tony observes. “Really, [she’s] like a human.”

Tony shares an anecdote about a nurse who lives in their neighborhood. One evening, he and Kia met the woman on her way out to work.

“Now every time Kia sees her car she will stop and look and wait for her. It’s like she is thinking, ‘Well I don’t see her, but lets wait a second, I should really say hello and ask her how work is going.'”

It is Tony’s healing nature and desire for a greater sense of purpose that drew him to adoption. It seems fitting that the dog he saved takes such a keen interest in the welfare of others as well.

“She is probably the best mannered dog I have ever owned,” Tony says. “And I am very grateful to the program.”