Norfolk, Virginia - The weather may have been less than ideal, but it would take more than an hour-long rain storm to discourage the attendees of the Dogs on Deployment (DOD) annual Beer, Dogs and Veterans Festival in Virginia Beach Saturday.
The festival, hosted by DOD in conjunction with Wasserhund Beer Company, helps spread awareness about the national, non-profit organization, which connects deploying active-duty military members with volunteers willing to watch their pets.
"This is our annual event that we do with all of our chapters across the country, getting people together with their pets, getting community agencies here to help and to just have a good time," said Myra Smith, Hampton Roads DOD coordinator and grant management director. "We want them to know that we're here, our services are free, and we don't want these pets, whether it's dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles-whatever-to end up in shelters."
Many consider their pets a part of the family and it makes completing a mission all the more difficult to even consider giving up a companion in order to fulfill their military obligations.
The highlight of the DOD event was reuniting a Sailor with her dogs. Dozens of supporters and their dogs formed a path of onlookers leading her to her pets.
"They're my babies," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Donnalyn Van Wie, attached to Arleigh-Burke class destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), as she embraced her furry little ones Casper and Boo. "Dogs on Deployment connected me with someone to watch them through my deployment and this last three-week underway."
"It's really moving when you see some of the videos of somebody returning from deployment and their dog's reaction the first time they see their 'dad' back, after eight, nine, ten months," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class James Onuska.
DOD was founded by Marine Corps Capt. Alisa Seiber-Johnson and Navy Lt. Shawn Johnson in 2011 after the dual-military family both received assignments that would take them away from home for six months or longer. The couple recognized the need for a program that could help other service members in similar situations.
In addition to boarding options, the organization also advocates for military pet owners rights on military installations, provides educational resources, grants financial aid to military members for pet emergencies and promotes healthy pet lifestyles, including spaying and neutering.
DOD has provided more than 650 services members with boarding services as well as financial support across the United States and abroad.
