In tribute to the 94th Veterans Day, Joe Cipriano, a veteran from Long Island, was officially presented with a leash for a service dog named Marlee, designating him as the dog’s official owner.
This poignant moment transpired as an act of appreciation for the veteran’s committed service to the nation.
Both Joe and Marlee received a renewed chance and an occasion to transform each other’s lives simultaneously.
“Marlee and I are close companions. He is my boy,” remarked Cipriano, recognizing the profound impact this dog has on his life.
A Priceless Gift
As Marlee is destined to assist Cipriano with the everyday hurdles he faces, the Marine Veteran is also expected to aid the 3-year-old Poodle in overcoming his own troubled past.
The entire event was sponsored by New York Community Bank, alongside Paws of War, an animal welfare organization situated in New York, making this all possible.
Paws of War shared in their Facebook post:
“Marlee is a poodle that was saved by Paws of War from a shelter in Meade County Kentucky, mere days before being euthanized. After a thorough evaluation, he became available to be trained as a service dog.”
Once Marlee commenced his training to be a service dog, he was placed on a trial with Cipriano, which proved to be a remarkable success.
As soon as they met, Cipriano developed a deep affection for Marlee, and the two formed an instant bond.
Considering how stunning and incredible Marlee is, Cipriano was astonished to discover that this dog had been rescued from near death due to lack of interest from potential adopters.
“He needed something as much as I needed something, and we are imprinted on each other in a way that I never thought was possible,” Cipriano told PIX11.
The Two Buddies
Cipriano, a veteran of the U.S. Marines, was honorably separated from the military in 2010.
Since that time, he has faced significant challenges with mental health and managing everyday tasks, but now, Marlee supports him every moment of each day.
“There were periods when I would stay in my room for days without emerging, but that no longer occurs. Marlee has been the best thing for me and my family,” Cipriano stated.
They undertake everything together, with Marlee enabling Cipriano to accomplish tasks that were once incredibly difficult for him.
“Marlee and I are close companions, he and I. He is my boy! He is an extraordinary living being, that’s what he is. He immediately became a member of the family, and we became part of his life as well,” proclaimed Cipriano.
During a surprise gathering, Julie Signorille, the COO of NY Community Bank, expressed how incredibly heartwarming it was to recognize that they have been able to transform someone’s life.
This achievement would not have been feasible without their support and Paws of War. Regrettably, as stated by the animal welfare organization, many more veterans and first responders remain in need of a service dog of their own.
