Help Us Bring Cuda and Latte Home: Urgent Pet Travel Support

We’re reaching out with heavy hearts and hopeful spirits to ask for your help.

My family, including my wife Saori, our young son Koa, and our two beloved dogs, Cuda and Latte, are currently stationed in Japan on a humanitarian assignment. We came here to support Saori’s mother, who is bravely battling stage 4 cancer. Being here has allowed us to be by her side during the most difficult time of her life. We had planned to remain in Japan and retire here, close to family and stability. This was especially important for our dogs, who have traveled across the world with us throughout our military journey.

But life has changed in ways we never expected.

Koa, our two-year-old son, was recently diagnosed with autism. After multiple evaluations and recommendations from military medical specialists, it was determined that the best course of action would be to move back to the United States immediately so he can receive the full spectrum of care and therapy that is not available here in Japan.

Now, with short notice, we are facing a PCS move back to the U.S. by the end of the month. It is heartbreaking to leave Saori’s mother, the very reason we were assigned here. We have to make the incredibly difficult decision to prioritize Koa’s future. It is a painful goodbye that none of us were prepared for, made even harder by the urgency of the move.

To make things more complicated, all pet spaces on the military flight are fully booked through the summer, and we were unable to secure spots for our dogs. These spots would have been free at no additional cost to us. Instead, we’ve been quoted nearly $10,000 for their travel using a pet shipping service, and that estimate doesn’t include the added cost of vet visits, vaccinations, and required travel paperwork.

Cuda and Latte are more than just pets. They are family. They have brought us joy, comfort, and stability through every deployment, move, and life change. Leaving them behind is not something we can even consider.

We are doing everything we can to navigate this overwhelming situation, but the financial strain is significant. Between the unexpected move, setting up a new home, and preparing for Koa’s medical and developmental needs, we are stretched thin.

Fortunately, the military will reimburse up to $2,000 of pet travel expenses once we file our travel voucher at our next duty station. But that still leaves thousands of dollars we must cover upfront in a very short timeframe.

We are humbly asking for your help. Any amount you are able to give will go directly toward bringing Cuda and Latte home safely with us and easing the weight of this life-changing transition.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your kindness and support.