To celebrate Veterans Day, we’re sharing Jon and Jimmy’s story of connection and compassion, highlighting the impact of the human-animal bonds that help Veterans transition back into civilian life. This article was originally published in our Spring/Summer 2026 edition of Pet Tales. Read the latest.
Ready to add a new pet to your family? We’re waiving adoption fees on all adult pets 1 year and older for Veterans, Active Military, and Gold Star Families from November 5 through November 12, 2026.
“There you go, bud, bring it here,” Jon says to Jimmy, the bright-eyed pup who has been central to his daily life since the two met at Humane Colorado. Jimmy (or Jim, as Jon often calls him) is going wild over a stick he’s just discovered – gnawing its knots, ripping its bark like paper, tossing it into the sky with playful abandon. This sort of gentle redirection has become typical of the pair’s interactions since Jon started training Jim to be his PTSD service dog. However, the way Jon sees it, he and Jim are really learning together, strengthening their incredible bond one step at a time.
When Jon came to our Denver shelter more than a year ago, his purpose was clear. “I needed a dog in my life [again],” he remembers feeling. The question was who, exactly. Jon knew he wanted a reliable companion with a laid-back personality – someone who would enjoy travel, adventuring, and living the van life. After looking at several dogs, he couldn’t help but feel connected to Jimmy’s calm and “chill” demeanor.
Seeing him there, playing with his toy, just spoke to me because that’s kind of how I am… I take life as it comes, you know?
It felt like fate.
While Jon was certain that Jim was the one for him, our standing 50% adoption discount for veterans and current service members came as a welcome surprise. As an Irag veteran, Jon had been hoping a that a new dog could help him manage his PTSD symptoms, but his research into acquiring a trained service dog revealed the process could be expensive and complex. By comparison, adopting from Humane Colorado was a breeze, free of the restrictive hoops he had come to expect. “It meant a lot,” Jon says, “I’ve actually become an advocate, letting more and more veterans know about you guys.”
As they left the shelter together, Jon was worried that his van might not be the right home for his new friend. “I mean, he’s a big dog, and it’s a small space,” he says. But Jim was more than comfortable, settling right into the soft “decked out” passenger seat Jon had thoughtfully prepared.
Since adoption day, Jim has seen a whole new world from this very spot. The two have traveled from their home base in Denver, where Jon is enrolled in photography and other classes, to the Great Sand Dunes, the Grand Canyon, and too many mountains and National Parks to count.
One of Jon’s favorite adventures he’s shared with Jim has been working with their trainer through a local organization called Faithfully K9. “We have come so far from where we started,” says Jon, giving much of the credit to Jim’s instincts and keen intelligence. So far, their work has centered on teaching Jimmy to recognize Jon’s triggers and help him get ahead of stressful episodes before they overwhelm him. “During times of stress, a lot of people will put their heads in their hands,… and I am one of them,” he says. ” Jim’s learned to put his face in my hands when he sees me doing that, to interrupt those cycles.”
Jim’s growing ability to respond and support in these moments has been a lifeline for Jon. “He kind of brings me back to the now versus… you know,” Jon says. “So he’s done a lot in that regard.” Part of their success in training stems from the safety and kinship that exists between them. “I feel we have a shared experience,” he says. “Shelter dogs are often cast aside, and we veterans, we’re kind of cast aside, too. We try to fit back into society, but it’s not exactly easy, you know? Hell, I’ve been out for what, 15 years now, and it’s still not easy. Every day is a struggle.”
With Jim by his side, those days, although still challenging, are manageable – and so much brighter. When asked what impact he has had, Jon doesn’t hesitate
There’s really no better way to say it other than Jim gave me life. Getting him has opened up my world to SO much more. Instead of focusing on everything that’s negative, everything that’s driving into me, I’m able to focus back on him, you know? He’s brought me back from where I was. And it’s just… the value he’s brought to me… is indescribable.
In addition to their shared love of training and the outdoors, the two often cuddle and watch movies using the projector setup in the back of their van. In fact, Jimmy recently saw Blade 2 for the very first time – and loved it. Likewise, Jon admits that Jim is “spoiled for choice,” often eating and sleeping better than he does. But to Jon, he’s more than worth it. “He’s a good boy,” he says, watching Jim lean into his hand for a chin scratch. “I won the lottery with him.”
Jon hopes this article helps fellow veterans who are looking for a pet of their own. If that’s you, please visit us any day of the year to experience our ongoing adoption discount. Or, visit us during the Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays for waived adoption fees, courtesy of Lockheed Martin. Thank you for your service.