The Man Who Saved the Delta Dogs

Back in 2013, when Operation Delta Dog was just a brand-new baby organization, we ran out of money. (Go figure.) And then we ran out of money again. In the course of that first year, I begged, pleaded, posted, sold t-shirts, sold my soul, and did pretty much everything else I could think of to raise enough cash to get us through to our first planned fundraising event in November: The Walk & Wag for Veterans.

Months passed. The summer heat waned. Apples began to ripen in the orchards. And as the green on the trees evaporated into red and gold, the green in our bank account evaporated right along with it. Finally, I had to face the facts. I had tried, and I had failed. We weren’t going to make it to November. We weren’t even going to make it another week. Operation Delta Dog was done.

I was literally researching the legalities and procedures for closing down a nonprofit, tears blurring my vision, when I got word of a miracle: A dear family friend had heard about our plight and stepped in with a donation. A big donation. An absurdly generous, life-changing donation. His name was Roger Roach.

Thanks to Roger, we made it to that first Walk & Wag for Veterans in 2013, where we raised $25,000 and survived through the end of the year. Thanks to Roger, we made it through 2014, too. And our 10^th Anniversary in 2023. Because Roger didn’t stop with that first generous donation to Operation Delta Dog: He did it in every year that followed. And he asked for absolutely nothing in return.

This weekend, I got the heartbreaking news that Roger had passed away. I’m told he passed peacefully with his family by his side. I believe he had a few others by his side, too, at least in spirit: Namely, the more than 100 disabled U.S. veterans and 100 shelter dogs whose lives he forever transformed—and possibly even saved. And the hundreds more that will follow.

According to Maya Angelou, “Your legacy is every life that you touch.” If that’s true, then Roger’s legacy will far outlive him, and will continue to light up our world for untold years to come.

Thank you, Roger, for being you. As anyone who knew you understands, that alone was more than enough.

Operation Delta Dog is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to reduce the veteran suicide rate by rescuing shelter dogs and training them to work as service dogs for U.S. veterans who suffer from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and related issues. The dogs get the homes they need, and the veterans get the help they deserve! For more information or to make a donation, please visit OperationDeltaDog.org.