By Seraine Page

spage@soundpublishing.com

When Phil and TJ Winterholler lost their german shepherd, Truman, in 2011, the military couple felt shattered over their loss. The couple struggled over the thought of getting another dog.
But it didn’t take long before the Winterhollers discovered a way to fill their house “made for dogs” that sits on almost an acre and a half with a large fenced-in area.
TJ found a post on her Facebook page from Dogs on Deployment, a national non-profit organization that provides an online resource for military members to seek out volunteers who are willing to board their pets while they’re deployed. Both TJ and her husband are Army veterans, and felt that it was a worthwhile organization to volunteer their time to as a way to give back.
“We support many veteran activities in Kitsap County and helping a service member during their deployment was right up our alley,” said TJ Winterholler. “We had the perfect place and big hearts and could make a difference. I believe we did, and our lives are richer for it.”
The first dog she found was a shepherd, but by the time the paperwork was filled out, the dog had found a home. It wasn’t long before a pit bull owner contacted TJ to request support: the husband was deployed to Afghanistan, and the wife went back to California to spend time with her family after having a baby.
Ranger, the pit bull, did not get along with another family dog and needed his own space. He was spending a lot of time in the garage, which was less than suitable for an active pit bull.
“She knew that she needed to do something better and found Dogs on Deployment and us,” said TJ Winterholler. “Although I am a shepherd person, my husband loves pit bulls and Ranger was a great representative of the breed.”
To let the family know that Ranger was doing okay, the couple created a Facebook page, “Ranger-Dog on Deployment in Washington” for the family to see a daily feed of Ranger’s activities.
“We feel that it was a win-win-win all around,” she said. “Ranger had a great space to run and play. We had a blast watching him, and his parents knew that he was safe.”
Nik and Nicolette, Ranger’s owners, looked forward to seeing what their pit bull was up to in his new surroundings. Nik would return from patrol, excited to see his dog’s newest adventure, Winterholler noted.
“I think he gained ten pounds of muscle here, chasing the squirrels,” she joked.
Additionally, the Dogs on Deployment program allowed the two couples to build their relationship so well that they frequently converse, even when Ranger is not in the Winterhollers care.
Last year, Ranger spent March through June with the Winterholllers for the duration of a deployment. He came back in August, and he also was around for Christmas in Kitsap County.
The Winterhollers generally prepare a nice meal and sit down with Ranger’s family when they drop him off and pick him up. It’s the Dogs on Deployment policy that the families arrange drop off and pick up locations and times. The pet owner also must provide all pet supplies.
Last October, Phil was in a motorcycle accident that nearly cost him his leg. He stayed at the Veteran’s Home in Retsil recovering until Thanksgiving.
Part of the decision to take in Ranger again was a way to help Phil in his recovery, TJ Winterholler said.
“Having Ranger here in December brightened up his day and helped in his recovery,” she said. “Don’t they say there is something to having a dog to pet?”
After the accident, the pair finally tied the knot last November after 12 years of being together. Their Dogs on Deployment family even came to watch them say, “I do.”
Since 2011, Dogs on Deployment has assisted in the boarding of nearly 400 pets. Owners post everything from dogs and cats to snakes and birds for volunteers to take on in their own homes.
“We do get emails from many veteran and active duty boarders that let us know they have signed up and are excited to help,” said Emily Hanke, a Dogs on Deployment public relations representative. “Many of the service members that use Dogs on Deployment will also register once they come back so that they can help others the way they were helped.”
In addition to helping active duty members, the organization also provides veteran support to homeless veterans who may have animals they need to give up temporarily as they find life stability.
For homeless vets, Dogs on Deployment can help them find a way to rehome or provide long-term care for any pets that could prevent them from enrolling in the VA Department’s homeless domicile and job rehab programs. Veterans who cannot care for their pet or who cannot immediately find a DoD boarder may be eligible for a Pet Chit Financial Assistance Program, which can provide up to $500 in financial aid for pet care.
“With care and patience, a veteran can be given the special opportunity to not only receive needed treatment or assistance, but also be able to keep their beloved pets,” states the website. “Pets can be essential to helping a person heal physically, mentally and emotionally. Some of these veterans lose everything, and with a little help we can give them the chance to keep something very precious.”
For military couple Shannon and John Harris, it only made sense to help out another military couple while they deployed and moved.
Navy wife Shannon Harris found out about the organization while on Facebook one day. Once the couple moved to Washington, one of their first plans was to foster a dog through the program.
“We came out here and she was the first one to pop up,” Harris said of Leona, a rhodesian ridgeback puppy.
In June 2013, Leona’s owners were going through a major transition. One was deployed, while the other was moving the couple’s items across country. The Harris’ met with the couple and Leona three weekends prior to the drop off.
“If they wouldn’t of picked her up, I would’ve kept her,” said Shannon Harris, who also owns three labs and a cat. “She was a big time cuddler.”
Harris, who is the daughter of a Navy veteran, said she understands how important it is to military families to know someone can care for their pets while they are away. Going through deployments or any military transition is difficult, Harris said.
From June to November, the pair watched as Leona blended in with their other dogs. If the couple went camping, so did all four dogs. When Leona’s family came to retrieve her just before Thanksgiving, Harris said it was difficult to watch her go.
While tearing up, Harris videoed the reunion between Leona and her owner–a mix of barking, tail wagging and lots of jumping.
Even though saying goodbye was painful, Harris said she and her husband would do it all over again. It would likely be for a much shorter time period since they don’t want to get so attached, she said.
She looks online every day to see which military service member or veteran she might be able to help out. Harris is also awaiting response from Dogs on Deployment to possibly become a spokeswoman for the Kitsap County area to spread the word, she said.
Any way she can help out with pets, she’s willing, she said.
“We know how hard it is to be on deployment,” she said. “Having someone take care of your pet so you don’t have to worry about it (is nice). That’s why we do it.”