I met Jennifer two years ago this August for the first time, but I had been following her and Stiggy’s Dogs for longer than that.  My husband, Garrett, and her husband, Joe, worked together for a few years and I was always hearing about this awesome organization that paired rescue dogs with military veterans.  When we had to put down our beloved Rocky, our senior dog that we adopted from the Michigan Humane Society in 2008, I made sure that as much stuff of his that could be used went to Stiggy’s.  I knew he’d approve of dogs getting second chances in such an important way.

We met that August on my patio with my dog, Brooklyn, supervising the activities.  Since that time, we have met regularly and between her passion and enthusiasm and my need to get things organized and on paper, we’ve made real progress.  We had our first real Annual Report last year (new one to be published in the next week) and so much more.

Many people probably wonder about my involvement with Stiggy’s Dogs and why it is so important to me.  I do come from a family of veterans-both my dad and grandfather were veterans (Vietnam era Navy and WWII Marine with a Purple Heart, respectively).  The love of dogs is obvious.

But it’s so much more than my personal history.  It’s a matter of my personal political philosophy…

I know that our country needs to do more for these men and women who stepped up for us.  The ultimate sacrifice is putting your life on the line and losing it.  But what about those who come back?  You cannot experience war and come back unwounded and we need to do more.  To me, the work of Stiggy’s Dogs is a no-brainer…shelter dogs need homes and love and a mission.  Veterans need love and a partner and healing.  There is no downside to this.  It’s the classic win-win situation.   You can be a pacifist and still want to support our veterans.  You don’t have to be an animal lover to want to see the best for homeless animals.  There is no downside.

In the end we are all judged by what we do with what the world has given us.  To pair rescue dogs with military veterans in such a meaningful and lasting way is solving two huge problems with one solution.  I’m proud to be part of our mission of Rescuing One to Rescue Another.

Don’t forget to vote for Stiggy’s Dogs in the Home Depot Foundation Aprons in Action contest this month. Vote everyday in May!

https://apronsinaction.homedepotfoundation.org/