Embarking on a lives changing adventure
Our mission
To pair trained and graduated Canine Good Citizen (CGC) or Service certified rescue dogs in Northern California with veterans, and support veteran dog owners in the region.
Our origins: remembering Dustin Duane Aimes
Stars & Stripes Dog Rescue was established in loving memory of our son, Dustin Duane Aimes, who bravely served in the U.S. Air Force until his unexpected passing on October 16, 2021. Dustin dreamed of having his own dog rescue one day. Combining this with his love of country is the driving force behind our organization and ensures Dustin’s legacy lives on.
Born to Kim and Susan Aimes in Sacramento, California, Dustin’s journey began on May 6, 1985. From an early age, Dustin displayed a natural talent for baseball. This led him to attend Huron University in South Dakota on a baseball scholarship and also two years at California State University Monterey Bay. In 2010, Dustin graduated from Sacramento State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, setting the stage for a successful career in project management. He worked tirelessly at the family business, where his skills shone bright, until his desire to serve his country led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force in July 2019.
After completing Basic Training and technical training in Biloxi, Mississippi, Airman First Class Aimes returned to California, where he was stationed at Beale Air Force Base in Marysville. There, he found his true calling and dedicated himself to serving his country with pride and distinction.
Beyond being a dedicated serviceman, Dustin was a man of boundless kindness and love for his family and friends. He had a great sense of humor that could light up a room and his bear hugs were legendary! Dustin was passionate about rescuing dogs and making unforgettable memories with those closest to him.
A beloved son, brother, friend, and dedicated Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force, Dustin’s time with us was far too short. His spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. At Stars & Stripes Dog Rescue, Dustin’s legacy of compassion, service, and second chances will continue to be honored when a rescued dog is paired with a veteran in need.
Our “Dusty” story
Our son Dustin was very passionate about rescuing dogs and supporting others, despite his busy schedule. In September 2021, on a crisp autumn day, his rescued German Shepherd gave birth to an adorable bouncing litter of puppies. A few weeks later on October 16, Dustin unexpectedly passed away, leaving behind his beloved furry companion and a heartbroken family.
To stay connected to him, we felt we needed to take a pup. And on her 7-week birthday, Dusty (his namesake) came to live with us. Right from the start, she had a spark of mischief in her eyes and a playful spirit that reminded me so much of Dustin. Dusty quickly became a member of the family with her goofy personality and intelligence bringing joy and laughter to our home.
As we watched Dusty grow, we realized that she had the potential to become a remarkable service dog, just like Dustin had hoped. We optimistically made the decision to put Dusty through PTSD training and make her the first official rescue dog for the Stars & Stripes Dog Rescue.
Dusty’s training has been a challenging process and she has worked hard. On Facebook and Instagram, we have recorded her journey, inviting followers to share in her story. She has done incredibly well with obedience and task training. However, like many dogs, Dusty is very protective of her trainer and reacts to people who come inside the bubble. After 2 years of Public Access training, we decided that her behavior won’t work in public environments and doesn’t represent what a Service dog needs to be.
While Dusty has washed out of the Service dog training program, she remains our mascot and can continue to be followed in upcoming videos @dustytheservicedog.