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From Soldier to Savior: How Fostering Rescue Dogs Gave Me a New Mission

June 22, 2025

Inside this Article:

Avoiding Home—and What Was Waiting There
The Military, PTSD—and an Emotional Void
The Little Dog That Changed Everything
From Foster Doubt to Foster Dad
Fostering as Healing—and as Calling
Finding Purpose After the Uniform
Why Fostering Rescue Dogs Matters
Final Thoughts: A New Kind of Heroism
Want More Heartfelt Pet Stories?

Avoiding Home—and What Was Waiting There

I remember dragging out my errands that afternoon, even circling the block once. At home, a small rescue dog—our very first foster—was waiting for me. I wasn’t excited.

To be honest, I had never wanted a dog. Pets were my wife Nicole’s world, not mine. When we met, I made it clear: I wasn’t a dog guy. But then came Nicole’s bulldog, Lotus. Slobbery, stubborn—and fiercely loyal.

“I would’ve lost myself without her,” Nicole once said.

That stuck with me. As someone who’d served seven years in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, I knew what it meant to rely on something outside yourself to survive.

The Military, PTSD—and an Emotional Void

I joined the Army right out of high school. Everything about it—the training, the brotherhood, the sense of direction—felt right. I thrived. By 21, I’d already made sergeant. But when I left the military, that clarity disappeared.

Nothing in civilian life gave me the sense of urgency or value I’d once felt. Even with Nicole, and later our daughter Zaida, I carried a void I couldn’t name. Jobs came and went—retail, manufacturing, safety gear sales. None of them clicked.

When Nicole suggested fostering rescue dogs after Lotus passed away, I hesitated. We were juggling parenting, her pregnancy, and daily life. But something told me to say yes.

The Little Dog That Changed Everything

Our first foster, Cubby, was a raggedy little shih tzu who looked more Ewok than dog. I wasn’t impressed.

I remember laying on the floor that day, staring at the ceiling, reflecting on the long list of ways I felt… detached. My Army training had taught me to push through pain, but I was still searching for what God had planned for me.

Then Cubby came over.

He licked my cheek—soft, steady, and purposeful. Not random affection. It was like he sensed something inside me needed tending. That was the moment everything shifted.

From Foster Doubt to Foster Dad

By that evening, I was cradling Cubby in my arms like he’d always been part of our family. Nicole laughed and captured the moment on her phone. “You’re smitten,” she said.

I didn’t deny it. Instead, I got to work—promoting Cubby online, coordinating meetups, writing posts, even planning a short video with Zaida. All my tactical instincts from the Army kicked in.

A week later, Cubby found his forever home. And I had found something too: a mission.

Fostering as Healing—and as Calling

Fostering dogs became our family’s rhythm. Every pup had a story. Some had been abused, others surrendered. Some were blind, anxious, or traumatized. But all needed the same thing: a chance to start over.

One of our most memorable fosters was Cocoa Chanel, a tiny black dog from a high-kill shelter in Kentucky. Skittish and shy, she barely made eye contact. But then we received a heartfelt email from a family with an adopted daughter who understood trauma. Watching Cocoa curl up in that girl’s lap confirmed it: fostering wasn’t just a good deed—it was divine alignment.

Finding Purpose After the Uniform

It’s now been over two years. We’ve fostered nearly 20 dogs—Pomeranians, chihuahuas, bulldogs, mixes. Each one has reminded me of what it means to serve.

As a correctional officer by day and a dad/husband/dog advocate by night, I don’t wear my uniform anymore—but the mission remains. My military past taught me precision, structure, and grit. Fostering has taught me vulnerability, surrender, and the power of second chances.

We might not operate like a formal Army unit at home, but every time we help a dog find the right home, I know we’re accomplishing something powerful.

As the Army song says:

“I’d rather be a dogface soldier…”
I may be retired from the field, but the mission continues—on paws, not boots.

Why Fostering Rescue Dogs Matters

According to the American Psychological Association 🖤, pet fostering can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, PTSD, and emotional detachment—especially among veterans. Programs nationwide are helping pair rescue dogs with former military members to facilitate recovery and companionship.

For anyone feeling adrift or searching for purpose, fostering might just be the mission you've been waiting for.

Final Thoughts: A New Kind of Heroism

Today, when I look at my wife, our two daughters, and the latest wagging tail in our home, I feel whole.

Fostering didn’t just save dogs. It saved me too.

So if you're a veteran, a parent, or anyone wondering if you're still meant to make a difference—you are. And maybe, just maybe, a rescue dog is the one waiting to rescue you.