If Steve Nyenhuis could afford it, he’d own ten acres of land and take in rescue dogs. The reality is he’s on a fixed income and living in an apartment so the Viet Nam vet can only dream of owning a sanctuary for homeless dogs. But those limitations didn’t stop him from helping an 8-month-old puppy in need of a new home.

“I just happened to be there and said, ‘I’ll take the dog.’” 

Last month Kelley Jean McKay, a social worker intern, was working at the apartment complex where Nyenhuis lives. She recalled several residents telling her there was a puppy outside who wanted to come in. McKay, who has a soft spot for animals, went and got the pup and brought her to her office.

When she ...