We know the problems returning servicemen and women confront. Some veterans suffer tremendous psychological harm and don’t always obtain help.
Military duty psychologically damaged Army Sgt. Josh Marino. He thought he couldn’t continue after a brain injury in Iraq and severe PTSD.
“I didn’t want to deal with it anymore,” Josh stated. I pulled out a knife. I composed a letter and smoked one last cigarette.”
Josh halted after hearing a sound outside the Fort Riley barracks in Kansas. A black-and-white kitten meowed from the bushes.
“He just walked up and started rubbing up against my leg and let me pet him, I broke down crying, burst into tears,” he recalls in his short film Josh & Scout, a Mutual Rescue. “Maybe he knew I couldn’t handle it.”
“I stopped thinking about all my problems and started thinking about his problems and how I could help him,” Josh added.
He fed Scout, the kitten, daily. Scout saved Josh’s life, but one day she disappeared.
Josh missed Scout, but he started dating a girl and they went to an adoption event to adopt a cat since Scout had such a wonderful impact on Josh’s life.
Josh was unaware who he would meet at the adoption event.
“All of a sudden a little black and white paw shoots out from a crate and starts smacking me in my left arm,” he says of Scout at the shelter. “I opened that cage, pulled him out, and held him tight.”
Josh adopted Scout immediately. Josh improved after adopting this lovely kitten that saved his life. He exercised, ate better, and quit smoking.
He married Becky, acquired a master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling, and worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs counseling injured vets.
Josh stopped suicidal after meeting a kitten and now assists other veterans. Josh’s work may have saved many lives.
Watch Josh and Scout’s wonderful tale below.
Share this:
