Justin Lasek is a medically retired Army Green Beret Sergeant Medic. Justin joined the US Army in 2013. By 2019 Justin was on his 2nd deployment in Afghanistan. On March 4th, 2019, Justin's team, and accompanying units were in a valley in eastern Afghanistan. They had moved a considerable distance toward the objective, on a specific route attempting to avoid encountering IED's. 

While the regiment was stopped for EOD assessments, there was an explosion. Immediately it was apparent that Justin was critically injured. He had stepped on an IED. He had clearly lost one leg, and the other looked critically injured as well, but Justin was alive. Justin was evacuated to a hospital in Jalalabad prior to being transferred to Walter Reed Medical Hospital where he spent the next 6 months enduring 30+ surgeries and learning to live his life post blast, post military, minus both his legs below the knees and both testicles. 

In 2022 Buddy Up was contacted by a friend of Justin's. Justin was receiving a bernedoodle puppy from another charitable foundation. Buddy Up was asked to train the puppy to be a companion for Justin. The answer was an overwhelming yes. 

In April 2022, Calli, then 8 weeks old, arrived in Texas. For the next 6 weeks, Kim worked with Calli on housebreaking, crate training, vet visits, basic foundational obedience skills, as well as exposing Calli to life in general. 

By the end of May 2022, Calli was ready to meet her new favorite human. 

The bond was instant.

Since that initial meeting Justin and Calli have been inseparable. Calli is Justin's constant in life. When he is in his darkest moments Calli is there. When life is full of fun and joy, Calli is there.

Justin, Kim and Pat have stayed in contact and often visit each other when the opportunity arises. Justin often tells Kim and Pat that if it were not for Calli, he would not be alive today.