A grievous injury forced Kenneth to cut short his Army career. Loneliness soon followed. But a spirited Pit Bull he rescued from a local animal shelter turned his life around.

Mettle of the man

Kenneth served in the Army for almost two decades. Yet his most profound memories were those forged in the earliest days of his military career.

These experiences would test the mettle of the man.

“My most memorable moment in service was, without a doubt, going through selection,” he shares.

“Found out what I was made of.”

Kenneth would serve for almost two decades, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Were it not for serious injuries he would most likely still be serving.

Yet that was not to be.

“I served 17 years and had to retire due to injuries incurred in service,” he explains.

For many veterans, returning to civilian life is a venture in loneliness. They are unable to replicate the camaraderie forged through military service.

Kenneth was no exception.

“I was lonely,” he shares.

So the retired Army veteran levied his loneliness into something positive. He decided to adopt a companion pet.

Pet adoption within reach

Kenneth is the “proud father of three beautiful girls.” Parenthood has its own rewards, but is not always an antidote for loneliness.

The war veteran started his search at The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. Staff told him about Pets for Patriots’ pet adoption program for military veterans. To date we have more than 100 adoptions through this shelter partnership.

Kenneth learned about our many program benefits. They help make pet adoption affordable for life and prevent animal surrender.

As a college student on a fixed income, Kenneth appreciates our charitable mission.

“I heard you folks help those with limited means to obtain a pet,” he shares.

We approved Kenneth’s application in late May 2024. Little did he know that more than one month prior a spirited Pit Bull entered the shelter in search of a forever home.

Pit Bull flower power

It was early June when Kenneth met his match.

At the time Petunia was a two year-old, black and white Pit Bull dog with floppy ears and soulful eyes. Her history is a mystery – much like many dogs and cats who find themselves in animal shelters.

But as Kenneth would soon learn, dogs and cats do not dwell in the past. They live in and for the moment. Their embrace of the here and now helps veterans turn away from unhealthy thoughts by creating new and positive memories.

Petunia’s upbeat demeanor was too alluring for the war veteran to resist.

So in early June – after almost two months in the shelter – Petunia and Kenneth went home.

“…filled my home with love”

Since their adoption Petunia has proven herself to be in tune to Kenneth’s emotions. When he is down, she lifts him up with playful antics. She is a Pit Bull with a purpose.

“She’s so keen to my needs,” Kenneth says, “and shows love all the time.”

And despite her considerable size – tipping the scales at 70 pounds – this girl has some impressive moves.

“She’s adorable and knows how to dance with me,” Kenneth says, adding that she’s a “hilariously fun companion.”

As of this writing the Army veteran is still within our first year post-adoption follow up.

Our team reaches out by phone and email to see how the adoption is going. To ask how or if we can help. And just to let veterans know that we are here for them weeks, months, and years after their adoptions.

“Pets for Patriots is the most precise and well organized nonprofit I’ve encountered, and I truly thank you all for what you do,” Kenneth says.

“It has filled my home with love, and that’s immeasurable.”