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Home / Veteran Mark Patton finds new life with his service dog, Shayne
Thanks to Shayne, Mark is taking part in competitive sports again.
Mark Patton loves a good challenge. In fact, he thrives on them. An athlete and soldier, he has never encountered an obstacle he wasn’t ready to tackle. But 20 years of military service can take a toll on the body. After sustaining severe injuries and medically retiring from the U.S. Army, Patton faced a reality he never expected: relearning how to navigate civilian life with limited mobility.
All that changed when he was paired with a service dog named Shayne.
Over the course of his Army career, Patton sustained severe brain injuries, survived a coma, and underwent nose reconstruction and knee replacements. Following his medical retirement in 2024, Patton's mobility continued to decline, and he eventually became a full-time wheelchair user.
“It’s hard to explain the loss of independence and confidence that comes from that transition,” he said.
Patton’s rehabilitation therapy team suggested a service dog to help him with his mobility and PTSD. His wife, Conny, liked the idea too.
They were referred to America’s VetDogs, which trains and places service animals with veterans, active-duty service members, and first-responders. Conny even wrote a personal letter to the organization, detailing how her husband could greatly benefit from a service dog. The organization agreed.
Patton was paired with a devoted Lab/Golden Retriever mix, and his life took a turn for the better. Shayne is trained to wake Patton from nightmares, open doors, and retrieve dropped items. But more than that, Shayne gives Patton his confidence back.
“Shayne is like an ice breaker for me. I struggled with interacting with people when I first got the chair because it felt like that’s all they could see,” Patton explained. “Everyone loves coming up to Shayne. My kids tell him about their day. He is truly an integral part of not just my life, but my family.”
Patton was a competitive athlete in college and is a life-long lover of sports. Shayne has helped him rekindle that competitive spirit. Together, they participate in a variety of adaptive sports and have even tried out sled hockey.
Stories like Patton’s are a driving force behind CACI’s Good Dogs for Great Americans. In partnership with America’s VetDogs and the Washington Capitals, CACI donates $250 for every shot blocked by the Capitals, helping fund the extensive training and care required to prepare service dogs for veterans who need them.
On Nov. 7, Patton, Conny, and Shayne attended the Capitals game against the Florida Panthers at Capital One Arena. Shayne was introduced to the crowd as the ‘Good Dog of the Game,’ a new feature this season that allows CACI and its partners to bring greater awareness to the essential role service dogs play in the lives of so many military veterans.
“It is a gift to know that Shayne can be an ambassador for service dogs and show people all that a service dog can do,” Patton shared.
As of Nov. 11, $68,500 had been raised through Good Dogs for Great Americans. Across the entire 2026-2027 NHL season, the program could support the training of up to eight service dogs, provided to veterans at no cost.
“It means a lot to see CACI partnering with America’s VetDogs and the Capitals,” Patton said. “Shayne saved my life, and it’s great to see a program that will partner other veterans with service dogs so they can succeed after their service.”
Mark and Shayne at Capital One Arena.
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