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A dog found severely injured and abandoned in Fayetteville, North Carolina, earlier this year has officially been adopted into a permanent home by a veteran family. The Fayetteville Observer reported on the heartwarming adoption on October 15, 2026.
The dog, named Sunny, was discovered in March by Stacey Buckner, director of Off-Road Outreach NC. At the time of her rescue, Sunny had tire marks across her hip, severe abdominal injuries with exposed organs, and was suffering from severe weight loss and parasites. Following initial medical intervention, Sunny entered the Mission First K9 program—a local nonprofit run by Army veteran Nathan Botts and his wife Kristen that pairs dogs with veterans coping with PTSD and trauma while offering structured rehabilitation.
Sunny met her new family late last month at a Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association event. Veteran Brandon Cary and his wife Liz, of Whiteville, were immediately drawn to Sunny’s story and gentle disposition. After introducing Sunny to their two existing dogs, Boxer Stryder and Lab Cope, the couple officially completed the adoption.
Liz Cary shared that Sunny has fully embraced her new life, enjoying long walks, discovering local wildlife, and relaxing on household couches. The Carys have also been invited to participate in Mission First K9’s upcoming formal K9 Good Citizen training sessions.
My thoughts:
- Programs that pair recovering rescue dogs with military veterans create a powerful dual-benefit, supporting emotional healing for humans while providing second chances for vulnerable animals.
- Community-level support between veteran organizations and local animal rescues plays a vital role in identifying suitable forever homes for special-needs animals.
- Patience and rehabilitation through structured training allow dogs that have survived severe physical trauma to make full emotional and physical recoveries.
Source: Fayetteville Observer and Mission First K9
