Having just got back in August from my second Iraq tour, I can say without reservation that the few times I was lucky enough to be around dogs (usually military working dogs) were times to be treasured. My first Iraq tour, the battalion sergeant major ‘adopted’ a kitten that lived in the foundation of our headquarters building, and being around Daisy made that tour bearable. Thankfully, Daisy was able to come to the States when our unit left Iraq. To this day, I don’t know how it was arranged, but I’m very glad to hear there is an organization out there trying to make it easier for US troops to get those combat-adopted pets home. They deserve a chance at a better life, especially for the ease which they bring to the hearts of those soldiers around them.

Over there ‘puppy therapy’ is no joke – not when just a few minutes with a dog or cat can help a soldier battle back from whatever bad place his or her experiences have dumped them in. I wish every Joint Base, Forward Operating Base and Combat Operating Base in theater had a team of puppy/kitten therapists for the troops. I can’t see how anything bad could come from such an arrangement.

Just my two cents and shout out for your support of such a great cause!

I go over in May, husband in Sept, sister in May, and my BFF is currently there.

Thank you so much for your support!

Monica