Semper K9 Assistance Dogs is pleased to announce our third service dog in training, Buster. Buster is a 10 week old silver lab donated by Veteran advocate Carly Pritchard.

crew chief

Buster in named in honor of Vietnam veteran SP5 Marcellus Frank “Buster” Stuck II. Frank served in the United States Army during Vietnam (62-65). He was crew chief on H21 Helicopters with the 121st Aviation Company, the “Soc Trang Tigers.”

After his service in the Army,he married, and ran the Emporia Airport in southern Virginia. He then moved to Dale City in 1969 to begin a 33 year career at Washington National Airport as a lead mechanic for Piedmont, then US Airlines. A member of VFW Post 1503 (one of the largest in the world) and 45 year Dale City, VA resident, he’s now off on his next adventure; living (and fishing) in Homosassa, Florida.

“He is a calm, well mannered pup. He will make a disabled veteran a wonderful service dog.” stated Stuck. He was very surprised when Semper K9 met him at VFW Post 1503 in Dale City to announce that Buster was being named in his honor.

“This is an awesome Father’s Day gift for my dad.” said his daughter Rebecca Barnes. “We will be able to follow Buster’s training progress and attend his graduation ceremony when he is placed with his handler. It’s very rewarding.”

Chris & Frank
Semper K9 CEO Christopher Baity and Vietnam Veteran Frank Stuck.

Buster & Russell

Buster & His Handler Russell

“Chris and Amanda are two of my favorite people once you get to know them it’s like you are family. They will go out of their way and bend over backward for most anyone not just vets. That being said I wouldn’t be where I am today without Buster,” said Russell. “Having buster has let me have a sense of freedom. He helps me go to crowed placed, new places, even meet new people. I know this all seems very normal stuff. But in the truth of it, it’s not normal for me and Buster helps me immensely with this.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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