Rocky, A Love Story: Shelter Dog Trained By Inmate To Help Vet

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A shelter dog, alone in the world, an inmate serving time — and a veteran with PTSD in need of a forever friend.

An unlikely trio, but thanks to some open hearts and compassion, a shelter dog, Rocky, is set to be paired with a U.S. Marines veteran, thanks to the caring of an inmate, himself a vet, at the Suffolk County Correctional facility in Yaphank.

Here's how the miracle became a reality: Back in April, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon conceived of the idea upon meeting Robert Misseri, co-founder of the non-profit organization Paws of War, during a sheriff’s veterans re-entry task force meeting.

Paws of War is an organization that trains and places shelter dogs with U.S. military veterans suffering from the emotional effects of war. According to a release from Toulon's office, the sheriff asked that a program for veterans be coordinated inside the Suffolk County jail.

Next, Paws of War began searching for the right dog to train as a service dog — and found Rocky at the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. Staff from the Suffolk County correctional facility also had to identify an incarcerated veteran willing to take on the task of training Rocky twice a week with the Paws of War program staff — but stars aligned, and soon, a willing participant was found.

Jermaine, a veteran who also suffers from PTSD, worked with Rocky — and after successfully training Rocky, he will have his own new beginning . . . an opportunity to work for the Paws of War organization when he is released in 2019.

The veteran who will receive Rocky, Harry Stolberg, joined the United States Marine Corps in 1994 at 17. He served as a 0341 Mortarman with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, Heavy Weapons Company based out of Camp Lejune, NC and also as a Marine Security Guard with MCSFCO Bangor Washington, Toulon said.

In addition, Stolberg was a member of a rapid response team that responded to incidents in helping the governments of Haiti and Africa. He then suffered a serious injury to his right knee, which led to the end of his military career, the release said.

After the military, Stolberg studied to become a paramedic and has spent the last 20 years working in New York City and Long Island. A single dad, Stolberg is being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder at the Veterans Administration hospital in Northport, Toulon said.

In a beautiful example of karma, Stolberg has fostered other veterans’ service dogs when they were in need; he also gives back to veterans who suffer from PTSD by organizing fishing trips, BBQs, outings and offers himself as a peer supporter.

Jermaine, a veteran currently in custody, spent 10 years in the Army, rising to the level of sergeant and, after two tours in active combat, returned to Suffolk County.

He believes that PTSD symptoms related to his combat experience led him down his current path, the sheriff said. Jermaine has been participating in the Veterans Program Pod in the Yaphank facility since Jan., 2018 "and is always eager to help his fellow veterans. He is spending his days participating in rehabilitative programs and reflecting on his life. Most of all, he expressed how grateful he is to have the opportunity to help a fellow combat veteran and give back to the community," Toulon's release said.

The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing for the welfare of homeless animals on eastern Long Island. SASF promotes and nourishes the bond between people and animals through adoption, education and community outreach.

Patch photo courtesy Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon's office.