Photo By Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening | Staff Sgt. David Palmer, a Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance technician with the...... read more read more
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Staff Sgt. David Palmer’s military career began in the U.S. Navy as a Hull Technician and Steelworker. In 2017, Palmer transferred to the Air National Guard to become a Water and Fuel Systems Maintenance technician at the 128th Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineering Squadron. Palmer’s career transition required him to attend Technical School at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita, Texas, to learn the basics of his new craft.
“When I found out I was going to be gone for four months at school I had to figure out what to do with my finances, what to do with my apartment and car, and, most importantly, what to do with Samuel,” said Palmer.
Samuel is a dog that Palmer rescued from the Humane Society of South Mississippi approximately four years ago. Since the day he was brought home, Samuel has stuck by Palmer’s side as his loyal, four-legged friend.
“He’s my companion and has come with me to so many places,” said Palmer. “I was apprehensive and stressed trying to figure out what I was going to do with him. I couldn’t even imagine re-homing him so whatever I would need to do to adjust my life to make accommodations I would do.”
Finding long-term pet accommodations prior to departing for military duty can be stressful for deploying service members. Fortunately, Palmer knew of an organization that specializes in providing military pet owner assistance in these circumstances.
Dogs on Deployment is a non-profit that works to create an online network to connect deploying service members with local volunteers who serve as foster homes for the pets while their military owners are away on duty. Palmer reached out to the organization with the hope of finding someone to watch over Samuel while he attended training and, according to Palmer, the process was surprisingly easy.
“All I had to do was go on the website, fill out a profile with Samuel’s information, state the reason why I needed to board him, and the time frame I would be gone and that’s how I found Jim and Sue,” said Palmer.
Jim Hodges, a Sheriff for Dane County, Wisc., and his wife, Sue Hodges, signed up to be Dogs on Deployment volunteers approximately three years ago; however, Palmer and Samuel were their first match due to a low demand for military pet boarding in their area.
“Pets are a part of the family, so to give a pet up because of military duty would be devastating,” said Jim Hodges. “Dogs on Deployment is vital because it allows them to find care for their pets while they are out serving their country. Sue and I were just doing our small part by offering to help board military pets.”
“After the initial visit, I knew it was a perfect match,” said Palmer. “It was a good ‘deployment’ for Samuel and the Hodges really helped me feel better about leaving him to go to school.”
According to Palmer, Jim and Sue went above and beyond as hosts for Samuel by sending weekly pictures of the pooch, generously paying for pet supplies, and offering to cover the cost of a veterinary clinic visit Samuel was taken to during Palmer’s absence.
“They were very, very gracious to me and Samuel,” said Palmer. “I really appreciate their willingness to open up their home to take care of him. Not having to worry about Samuel was a huge aspect that helped me succeed at Tech School.”
Today, Palmer and Samuel are reunited once again and enjoy taking long walks in the warm, Wisconsin summer weather.
“Samuel is my companion and like a part of the family,” said Palmer. “He’s not going anywhere.”
For further information on the support and services Dogs on Deployment provides military pet owners visit https://www.dogsondeployment.org/MilitaryTails/
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2018 14:51 |
| Story ID: | 279256 |
| Location: | MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 411 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Know Your Military: Staff Sgt. David Palmer and his 'doggone' loyal dependent, by MSgt Morgan Whitehouse, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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