AMCOM employee cares for service members' dogs during deployment

By Kari HawkinsDecember 1, 2017

Dogs on Deployment
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Dogs on Deployment
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Patty Wyatt and her husband Lonnie have taken on a personal mission that connects them directly to two airmen who are serving a six-month deployment.

That connection involves the care of two lovable, rambunctious dogs.

In July, the Wyatt household in Arab welcomed Ranger and Jasper, both just under two years old, to their family of two older dogs, a 12-year-old Labrador named Hunter and 20-year-old flat-coated retriever named Roxie. The additions have turned the relatively peaceful Wyatt home into a busy, active and playful abode.

"It warms my heart to be able to help them by taking care of their dogs. If I were in that situation, I would want someone to help me," said Wyatt, who works for the Aviation and Missile Command's G-8 (Resource Management).

"I can't imagine what they went through to decide whom to leave their dogs with. We are taking care of their dogs so that they can focus on their mission and not worry about them. They know their dogs are being loved, hugged, played with, fed and cared for in a family home. Their dogs are part of our family until they return."

The Wyatt couple volunteered to care for deployed service members' canines through the Dogs on Deployment website -- https://www.dogsondeployment.org/ -- that connects potential boarders with military families in need of someone to care for their dogs due to service-related situations.

"When I learned about this program I thought, 'We can do this. We already have dogs. What's a couple more?" Wyatt said.

Through the website, the Wyatts were contacted by two service members from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, who are also a couple and would soon be deploying together.

"They had only had their dogs for a short time. Ranger was a rescue dog and Jasper was found after he was hit by a car at a gas station. Their families couldn't really help care for the dogs and they couldn't afford and didn't want to board the dogs in a kennel for six months. They wanted to find someone who would care for them but then would also give them back when they return from their deployment in January," Wyatt said.

"Since we already had our own two dogs, they felt more comfortable leaving their dogs with us. They visited us twice before they made their decision. Our large, fenced-in backyard helped them decide this is where they needed to be."

While the Wyatts had planned to only take in one dog through the Dogs on Deployment program, they quickly realized that Jasper and Ranger needed to stay together.

"They came as a pair," Wyatt said.

The Dogs on Deployment website provides a standard contract that dog owners and dog boarders can sign so there is a mutual agreement of care while the dogs are with the volunteer boarders. The agreement outlines the type of care, emergency arrangements and pre-arrangements for things like food, heartworm treatment and flea protection. Although such an agreement is a good idea, the Wyatts did not sign one with their dog owners.

"There is nothing binding between us and the owners. They trust us to care for their dogs and, as dog lovers, we understand what it means to them to know their dogs are well cared for while they are gone," Wyatt said.

"We understood each other and we bonded as a team during our two meetings. We didn't feel we had to outline all the aspects of care because they knew we would take good care of their dogs."

There were no serious adjustment issues with introducing the two dogs to their home.

"Our dog Hunter loves all dogs, so it wasn't a problem at all with him. It did take Roxie a little time to warm up to them," Wyatt said. "Jasper has a lot of energy and, as my husband says, is just a box full of kisses. He always wants to kiss you in the face.

"Hunter and Jasper have really hit it off. They love to bark and chase squirrels together in the backyard. In the summer, they loved jumping and splashing in our above ground pool. Ranger is more docile, and he and Roxie are more laid back together."

The only significant difference in a household with four dogs is that meal times have to be closely monitored. When it was just Hunter and Roxie, both dogs were good at eating their own food out of their own bowls pretty much any time of day. But, with the addition of two younger dogs, Wyatt or her husband have to place the bowls in separate areas and watch to make sure the younger dogs don't try to take the older dogs' food.

"In some ways, Jasper and Ranger have made us better dog owners. We are paying more attention since we have four to take care of now. And, we're spending more time with them to make sure everyone is playing fairly and getting along," Wyatt said.

The Wyatts have also gotten used to having dogs sitting in their laps. Since their two dogs weigh in the 65-pound range, they are too large to sit in a lap. But as 40-pound dogs, Jasper and Ranger are used to being held in a lap.

"They came with their own dogs beds, too. But we often have three dogs in the bed with us these days - Hunter, Jasper and Ranger. Roxie still sleeps in her own bed," Wyatt said.

And, the Wyatts have helped the younger dogs learn the rules of being good dogs living together with their family in a home.

"Since Jasper and Ranger are younger, they take more time and patience," Wyatt said. "They are still learning how to be good dogs. We've lost a few pairs of slippers."

The Wyatts take a lot of pictures and videos of Jasper and Ranger, and post them on Facebook for their owners to see. Jasper and Ranger's owners researched ideas to help calm any separation anxiety and found an idea on Pinterest to make a braided rope out of well-worn T-shirts that carried their scent, hoping the smell will remind the two dogs of their owners.

"We see the rope all over the house. We've had to rebraid it a few times," Wyatt said.

In January, when the airmen return for their dogs, Wyatt said it will be sad to see Jasper and Ranger go. But, the Wyatts will be left with the satisfaction and reward of knowing they helped two service members and their dogs in a time of need.

"This has been good for us, for our dogs," Wyatt said. "Because of Dogs on Deployment, we have met a great couple and two wonderful dogs. This has been a very positive experience for us. When you love dogs and you love helping others like we do, taking on a couple dogs like this brings its own rewards. It warms our hearts to know we are caring for dogs that are very much loved by a military couple who is serving our nation overseas. It's been a big blessing to us."