“Battle Pups” Fighting for Recovery

Every so often I encounter a story that makes me sit up, take notice, and exclaim,  “Wow! Wish I had written that.”

Most recently, that happened when I read an article by longtime freelancing colleague Deann Alford. Though she and I have lost touch over the years, she still turns a mean phrase.

Though it’s been nearly three months since the story appeared, it’s one of those tales that deserves to be told repeatedly. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit—and the God who makes all things possible.

The story on AG News was about “Battle Pups,” plush dogs that for the past five years have been given to 70,000 children and adults in crisis. Each pup has a collar bearing Psalm 38:19: “You armed me with strength for battle” (NIV).

A ministry whose origins started with a nine-year-old cancer patient is reason enough to cheer.

But it’s how it emerged from leukemia treatments that had worn him down so much he wanted to quit—until his mother suggested helping someone else—that really makes it all so inspiring.

A Mission to Help

Then a third-grader, Brady Martin was suffering from a rare form of leukemia that required infusions four to six times a week.

With side effects making the journey that much tougher, one day he told his mother, “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

After a quick prayer, Kristin Martin got an idea. She asked her son, “What if we change our perspective and be a light—be there not for treatment but on a mission to help someone else?”

Brady asked what she had in mind; she suggested blessing his oncology nurse, whose baby needed heart surgery. So they went to the hospital gift shop, where the boy chose a fluffy pink unicorn. The nurse received it with joy.

As mother and son walked out of the hospital, Brady described what had started as a miserable experience as “the best day ever.”

On his next visit, Brady gave three stuffed animals to fellow patients. And thus began “Way to Battle,” a ministry that provides the plush pups to anyone in need.

Expanding Audience

While Kristin envisioned Battle Pups for those struggling with cancer, God had greater ideas. When she posted about the outreach on Facebook, others asked how they could help, or how loved ones could get a pup.

So, it’s not just those fighting cancer who have benefited. It’s been victims of gun violence, teens who have lost siblings, patients in memory care, and victims of wildfires and hurricanes.

Each member of one family received a pup after their father died of a heart attack while jogging.

“This is not just for kids,” said Danielle Dickerson, an official with the AG’s Ohio Ministry Network. “You wouldn’t believe the comfort they bring to adults.”

Even though Way to Battle doesn’t focus on proselytizing, the pups also often open doors for the Martins to share their faith.

“We’re not going in to schools and preaching the gospel,” said Martin, who has written a book about their experience. “We’re going in and planting seeds.”

Seeds like those Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (ESV).

Battle Pups began on a day when the boy who inspired it wanted to quit. Only God could turn that around and bring so much hope for others out of one boy’s despair.