Yuki Garris

A story of gratitude. Lifetime dog lovers, we apprehensively adopted Yuki, just shy of six years old, from a family where he was neglected and unwanted. We raised our previous three dogs as puppies, so we asked for God's guidance and clarity in our decision with adopting Yuki. He honored our decision as Yuki was a "one in a million" pet who brought us so much emotional comfort, but also comforted countless other active duty, retired military, veterans and their spouses. Yuki was certified in the American Red Cross Pet Therapy Program on Fort Knox, Kentucky in 2011. The Program is an integral part of the nationally recognized, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program, with a mission to provide therapy, comfort and reassurance to active duty, retired and veteran military members and their spouses. Yuki worked in the Canine Assistance Therapy (CAT) Training Program with wounded warriors suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), brain injuries and those with other physical and mental disabilities. Yuki also participated in regular visits to Warrior Transition Centers, Veteran's organizations, retirement communities, children's homes, and military hospitals. As our beloved pet, Yuki also touched our personal lives for eight incredible years and we are so thankful to God for loaning him to us. He was so grateful to be in our family, so much so that his affection and loyalty to Anthony and I shined for all to see! Yuki returned Home on November 18, 2019 and we will honor him with our continued service to our veteran family and military community. What I have learned about losing a pet, is the best advice is for us to love our pets and enjoy them while they are here with us—and trust God in everything for the future. He sees and knows all, and nothing is too hard for Him to do. God knows how much we love our pets and how much they mean to us. The Bible doesn’t directly address whether our pets will be with us in heaven, but we do know that God loves us and wants us to be happy. The Bible says, “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly," Psalm 84:11. We can trust God that heaven will be a place filled with everything necessary for our happiness and we plan to be there with our loved ones! Anthony and Christine Garris