Mike and Cali

Sergeant Michael White proudly served in the United States Army from 1982 – 1994. He started his military service in Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and AIT (Advanced Individualized Training) at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland from 1982 – 1983. He was stationed in Mannheim, Germany with the 51st Maintenance Battalion, 512th Maintenance Company from 1983 – 1987 where he worked as a mechanic repair for both wheeled and track vehicles. Sergeant White was also a German translator for his unit. From 1987 – 1994, he served with the 801st Maintenance Battalion, Delta company of the 101st Airborne Division in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He deployed with the 101st Airborne Division to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in August 1990.

Sergeant White is a decorated veteran having been awarded the following:

Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf cluster
Army Achievement medal with 2 Oak Leaf clusters
Army Good Conduct Medal with 4 bronze knots
Army Service Ribbon
Southwest Asia Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars
Liberation of Kuwait Medal awarded by Saudi Arabia
Liberation of Kuwait Medal awarded by Kuwait

Army Presidential Unit Citation
Army Meritorious Unit Citation with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters

Sergeant White has also earned:

The Parachutist Badge for completing Airborne School at Fort Benning Georgia
Air Assault Badge for completing Air Assault School at Fort Campbell Kentucky
Rappel Master School, Certified as Rappel Master at Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Sergeant White was honorably discharged in 1994.

Here is a letter from Mike:

“I have been out of the army for 26 years now. I am a 100% disabled veteran due to my health. I first heard about Pets for Vets through my cousin, Sherri Christian… she helps out with Pets for Vets and that’s how I came in contact with Chris White. Chris is AWESOME in what he does with veterans; and being a veteran himself he understands some of the issues that veterans have to deal with. When Chris called me and told me that he found the perfect dog for me I was thrilled. The day that Chris and Sherri brought over Cali I fell in love with her right away and I knew in my heart she was a perfect match.

My girlfriend, Roxanne Jester, was just as happy for me as well that I would be getting a companion dog. Cali is a blessing that has come into my life. I suffer from PTSD and I have other health issues that plague me. Cali knows when I am not feeling well and she will come up and lay her head in my lap and be by my side. She loves to go with me on rides as she hops up in the back on my Equinox and is ready to go. All I have to do is pick up her leash and she is bouncing around with excitement like a little bunny rabbit. She loves to play with her toys and loves her security blanket. When she get up in the morning she drags it all over the apartment. She makes me laugh. Cali is a pointer mix with a little Shepard and a little beagle in her. She is my baby I want to thank my cousin Sherri Christian, Chris White and Pets for Vets for bringing Cali into my life”.

Thank you, Sergeant White for your service to our country. On behalf of our Chapter, we are honored to be able to thank you and wish you and Cali the best!

Thank you to our friends at Great Plains SPCA for saving Cali’s life and helping connect our organization with this very special dog.

Thank you to Chris White and Sherri Christian, our Chapter Trainers, for making this match possible.