Where did you serve and what did you do?
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Thomas Bucci is a retired Army veteran who is classified as 100% combat disabled after 33 years of service to our country. He served honorably in 21 countries and did numerous tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2017, Tom founded and now runs a Chester County based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping combat veterans called Soldier Sanctuary. The nonprofit’s motto is ‘BY Combat Vets and FOR Combat Vets’. It is an all-volunteer run that provides healing, fellowship, and a sense of belonging to combat veterans through outdoor therapy, hiking, boating, and military history trips. Mr. Bucci also rescues retired military working dogs and integrates them back into society. Weekly, he personally brings the Soldier Sanctuary trained therapy dogs to the PTSD and Hospice units at the Coatesville VA while he engages the Veterans in conversation and play therapy. Thomas is selfless, kind-hearted, and a die-hard Philadelphia sports fan. He is always looking for ways to give back.
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
After serving in Afghanistan for 6 years, Gino, a muscular Dutch shepherd retired at the age of eight. At K9HeroHaven, a nonprofit rescue organization for retired working dogs, he was deemed aggressive and difficult to adopt after all of his years of military training, service, and the impacts of war. He was not affectionate, didn’t know how to play, and never barked.
After serving in the military for 33 years, Tom retired in his 50’s as a service-disabled veteran. He too had issues of anger, isolation, and PTSD from the rigors of war and nomadic military life. He lived alone and also “forgot how to play”. In his own isolation, Tom read online about K9HeroHaven and went looking for a dog that “understood” him. It was no surprise that when Tom went looking for a dog to adopt that Gino was there waiting.
Gino was a high energy bundle of muscle – he needed a strong person to lead him. As a lifelong athlete, Tom loved to run to offset his lingering military stresses. He noticed that Gino watched him leave and waited for his return after each run. One day Tom took Gino along on his run, and after that day, they never stopped. They bonded over the trails and difficult terrain, each seemingly pushing each other to go further and faster. Gino was always obedient off leash and a gifted athlete but had never been allowed to run free. He now smiled. He was joyful. The bonded pair entered the International Canine Biathlon and came in 15th in the worldwide competition. Their bond was helping them come out of their protective shells. They understood and respected each other for both their gifts and their quirks. They also taught each other the power of love and companionship.
Still, Tom worried about Gino being aggressive to strangers; so, he constantly showed Gino affection, slowly desensitizing Gino to touch. Petting, rubbing, sharing words of encouragement; Gino responded to this kindness. Soon Gino was rolling over, begging for belly rubs, and going on socialization trips to meet new people. He began playing with toys and even started to bark, not an alert response but a happy bark when Tom came home or called to him. Gino became the “big spoon” in bed with Tom at night and a constant companion during the day.
In 2016 Gino became a certified Therapy Dog. Not uncoincidentally, Tom started a Nonprofit in 2017 called Soldier Sanctuary that provides therapeutic recreation and fellowship to combat Veterans. He employs therapy dogs (like Gino) to interact with the veterans on wilderness trips and historical military educations events. Gino and Tom’s other dog, Max was the catalyst for the organization. Max was Tom’s emotional support dog who showed Tom the healing power and sense of calm that Max facilitated, just by being present. Tom knew he had to share this feeling with other veterans to get them outside, moving, talking, and laughing; with dogs always present; silently listening, never judging, and always loving.
Gino, now 15, Max, 13 and Tom, 60 still visit the VA in Coatesville every week for pet therapy and schedule multiple monthly recreation trips to get veterans outdoors and moving. Gino’s transformation inspired Tom to adopt another retired military dog from K9HeroHaven, Banjer in 2021.
Why do you do it?
Soldier Sanctuary is a local nonprofit run BY combat vets, FOR combat vets, because no one else can understand the bond, the brotherhood, and the lifelong impact the military has on your outlook, your abilities and your soul. Tom will always serve his military family. It’s just what you do, give to those in need, whenever and whatever you can.