Tri-State serviceman fights for the country and four-legged friends

CINCINNATI (WXIX) - A Tri-State service member doubles down on his commitment to his country and community.

Staff Sgt. Justin Graham spends his days educating young men and women about the military.

He joined the Navy in 2009 before transitioning to the Army and eventually becoming a recruiter.

“It was something that I always felt like I was drawn to do,” he said of his military service.

However, when he clocks out for the day, he devotes his time to a different kind of service.

“I happened to see it come across my social media feed that Paws for Miles had, I want to say it was like 30 dogs that they were picking up from a kill shelter in Kentucky,” Graham explained. “I was like, well, I can’t let that happen. So, I immediately jumped on that response. That page submitted a foster application and I got a phone call that same night at 10 o’clock.”

Graham has fostered three dogs since joining the program and said the military provided him with the skills needed to set them up for success.

“I’ve learned to definitely be patient. Some of the animals may not have had the same level of structure or discipline in their homes before they came to me,” he said.

Whether it’s serving his country or saving dogs, Graham said it all comes from the same place.

“I just wanted to help out,” Graham said. “It’s part of the reason I joined the military, to help out.”

To learn more about Paws for Miles, visit here.

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