Why My Service Dogs Need Ollie

After leaving the Marine Corps in 2016, I found myself struggling to adjust to civilian life. Alongside my children, I had a loyal companion in Bella, our black lab mix. Bella, much like myself, had been through a lot and had her own struggles, including separation anxiety and an appetite for mischief. No loaf of bread was safe.

During my last year of service, I was introduced to a remarkable organization called Semper K9. They provided service dogs to veterans like myself, assisting with both physical and mental disabilities. This was exactly what Bella and I needed—guidance and support as we navigated this new chapter in our lives. Becoming a working dog team meant that we had to rely on each other to thrive in the real world.

Bella became my constant companion, accompanying me everywhere I went. Whether it was art school, grocery shopping, or appointments at the Veterans Affairs, she was always by my side. As we relied on each other more and more, we both experienced a sense of calmness, and the negative behaviors and emotional struggles began to subside. Our healing journey had begun.

But in order to do that, I needed to ensure she was eating high-quality, nutritious food that kept her healthy and energetic, essential for her roles as service animals. Ollie has been undoubtedly the solution for her. Bella has been on Ollie for nearly three years now, and there’s no turning back.

Because it’s been such a long time, I can speak to Ollie’s true long term effects. Bella is twelve years old, and Ollie has given her all the support, nutrition, and energy she needed in her later years. She has been able to swim in all the oceans, paddle through glacier waters, and dive for rocks in all the rivers and creeks you could imagine. That’s where Bella thrives—water. The high-quality, fresh ingredients in Ollie’s meal plans have kept her healthy and energetic, allowing her to continue to be my loyal companion and service dog. Despite her age, Bella’s spirit remains strong, and I attribute much of her well-being to the consistent, nutritious meals she enjoys from Ollie.

About two years ago, we welcomed Atlas and Hatchet, two new pups to our growing family. That’s when I packed up my kiddos, dogs, and hit the road for the most epic road trip we could imagine. I thought our healing and growing was in the building of this home on wheels, but the journey was just beginning. We set off for a year of learning, growing, and adventure, but we gained so much more as a family, a pack, and a community. We explored the deep waves of Utah, the mountain tops of the Pacific Northwest, the fast oceans on each coast, and miles and miles of the open road. Not only was I able to connect to my children again, but I was able to provide my dogs with the life they loved, adventures I knew they deserved.

Throughout these travels, Ollie remained a constant for us. I love being able to use Ollie to feed my dogs and feel assured they are getting the highest quality food to nourish them for our crazy journey. The ability to customize each meal plan and store the food in the freezer has been a game-changer. The fresh, whole foods packed with antioxidants and natural vitamins ensure my dogs get the best nutrition possible. On top of that, with three large dogs who love to eat, it was impractical to go to the store every week, particularly while on the road.

In January of last year, our pack moved onto a property where we could stretch out, create a new type of adventure, and grow some roots. We’ve begun to homestead, so every pack member has a new job. Bella, our old lady, keeps the cabin porch guarded as her hearing and eyesight leave her. Atlas, as always, is the protector of the forest and doesn’t let predators get too close. And Hatchet has become the livestock momma. She’s raised up 24 ducklings and is currently raising two baby goats!

Making the transition to homesteading has been really easy with Ollie. On the road, we would update our subscription and delivery location as we were traveling, which was great. Both on the road and now at home, I have been able to customize each of my dog’s meal plans, which is incredibly important. We’ve been easily able to go into the app and make updates to our subscription, in cases where I wanted to mix up my pups’ diets. Just like we all have different dietary preferences and restrictions that reflect our bodies’ needs, so do dogs. Ollie’s food is made up of whole foods, antioxidants, and natural vitamins. The best part is that it’s fresh food I can store in my freezer and don’t have to worry about taking precious fridge space. This was perfect for our nomadic lifestyle, and honestly still great now that we have a home. We are still far away from a supermarket, so Ollie’s deliveries has been crucial for me and my beautiful pups.

The nomadic lifestyle can be challenging and demanding, but it also offers a sense of freedom and flexibility that many find appealing. We still go on long adventures in our bus, even though we’ve begun homesteading. Just as a plant needs the right balance of nutrients to grow and thrive, nomads need the right balance of nourishment, experiences, and connections to truly flourish in their chosen way of life. Through all of this–my healing, recovery, and need for adventure–my dogs have been there for me, and Ollie has been there for them.