rauma. Many veterans don’t receive the support they need to overcome these issues.
This is the story of Army Sgt. Josh Marino, who battled severe psychological damage due to his military service, and how a chance encounter with a kitten named Scout changed his life.
The Breaking Point
“I couldn’t handle it anymore,” Josh admitted. “I took out a knife, wrote a letter, and smoked one last cigarette.”
Josh was on the brink of giving up when he heard a noise outside his Fort Riley barracks in Kansas. From the bushes, a small black-and-white kitten emerged, meowing.
“The kitten came up to me, rubbed against my leg, and allowed me to pet it. I just broke down in tears,” Josh recounted in the short film Josh & Scout, a Mutual Rescue. “Perhaps the kitten sensed I couldn’t handle the pain.”
A New Purpose
Josh shifted his focus from his own problems to those of the kitten, whom he named Scout. He began feeding Scout daily, and the small animal became a lifeline for him. However, one day, Scout disappeared.
Although Josh missed Scout, he started dating a woman, and together they attended a pet adoption event to find a cat, inspired by the positive impact Scout had on his life.
The Heartwarming Reunion
“A black-and-white paw suddenly shot out from a crate, reaching for my left arm,” Josh recalled. Upon recognizing Scout, Josh opened the cage, embraced the kitten, and decided to adopt him immediately.
With Scout by his side, Josh’s life improved significantly. He began exercising, eating healthier, and quit smoking.
A Life Transformed
Josh married his girlfriend, Becky, earned a master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling, and began working for the Department of Veteran Affairs, providing counseling to injured veterans.
Thanks to a chance encounter with a kitten, Josh overcame his suicidal thoughts and now dedicates his life to helping other veterans. His efforts may have saved numerous lives.
To learn more about Josh and Scout’s inspiring story, watch the video below.
Josh & Scout, A Mutual Rescue Film
