‘It’s Okay to Admit You Need Help’

During a military career that spanned more than two decades, Marine Corps veteran Thomas J. Heaton earned a reputation as a leader and mentor. Despite his ability to inspire and strengthen others, Heaton struggled personally between deployments.

“When I came home, I wanted to be overseas, and when I was overseas, I wanted to be home,” he said. “I was so used to the discomfort of being displaced, and that became my comfort zone. Adjusting to being present has been a challenge for me. I work on it every day.”

Luckily, Heaton does not have to do that work on his own.

“One of my Marines, a subordinate I looked up to, received a service dog,” he said. “It made me think, if he can accept [being vulnerable] and realize he would benefit from additional support, why can’t I?”

Heaton did some research and applied for a service dog through the Warriors Choice Foundation in September 2023. He received a call the following July saying that he had been matched with Colt. Their bond was instant.

“It was surreal. Here was this dog who didn’t know me, but he instinctively knew what I needed,” Heaton said. “Colt has provided me with a peace and a level of camaraderie that I have not felt since I left the MARSOC (Marine Forces Special Operations Command) community.”

Today, the duo is assigned to the National Space Defense Center, where Heaton is a counterintelligence analyst. But that is not the only way Heaton is Still Serving with Colt’s help. He is also working to educate others — veterans and civilians alike — about the value of service dogs and encourages people to seek support when they need it.

“It’s okay to admit you need help,” he said. “The stigma around getting a service dog can be tough to overcome, but it’s about finding the right tool for the right job.

“As a Marine of mine said, ‘[it’s] like having an entire special operations team watching your back.’ It’s a bond I never expected, but one I’m deeply grateful for.”

*The quotes in this story were first shared in an article published on the U.S. Department of Defense website on March 5, 2025.