My name is Tim Himes, and I’m a veteran having served in both Afghanistan and Yemen. Like many other veterans, I've struggled with my physical and mental health as well as with finding purpose after leaving the military. I am committed to helping others make the connection between their own physical and mental health, helping others understand how a service dog improves a veteran’s quality of life as well as how a service dog integrates into that new life. I look forward to working alongside Veterans Moving Forward to ensure every veteran knows they are never alone, that there is always a way forward, one step, one mile, one day at a time, especially with a service dog at your side.

My mission, my purpose, is to inspire others to use exercise to reclaim their own physical and mental health and to support Veterans Moving Forward who has helped me make this connection, improving my life beyond measure.

My service dog is Baldy and he will be at my side for this journey, just as he is every day. Baldy is named for Master Sergeant Derek “Baldy” Baldwin, please read about him here: https://vetsfwd.org/dogs/baldy/

Throughout 2026, I will track the distances that I walk, run and ride my bike, asking you to Pledge A Penny – or any other amount – for every mile I move my body. My goal is about 5,000 miles over the year, this would be a $50 donation, if you Pledged A Penny per mile, to Veterans Moving Forward. At the end of the year, as I will be 54 years old, I will run 54 miles from Virginia, into Washington DC ending at the Lincoln Memorial. I have set a goal of $40,000, which will cover the expenses to sponsor the training of one Service Dog for one veteran. I also want to inspire you to lace up those shoes and go for a walk or a run! Baldy will be with me for just about all of the miles I walk and many of the miles I ride my bike – he has a trailer that he rides in while I peddle; however, while I am running, he is napping.

Several years ago, I was introduced to Veterans Moving Forward through my counselor. The process of matching me to Baldy based on my needs with his abilities and personality was key. Once he completed his foundational service dog training our training together began – both of us learning what each other needs – and he came to live with me after two years of training. Now, through this fundraiser, I hope to increase the awareness of Veterans Moving Forward and the whole “family” that works daily training and caring for the Service Dogs in Training by sharing my experiences how Baldy has improved my life.

So, what is the connection between Veterans Moving Forward and walking, running or riding a bike with this fundraiser? It is simple, but took me a while to see as clearly as I do now, so do not be discouraged. Each day, Baldy and I walk together. There is healing in fresh air, sunshine, and moving your body and that healing is both physical and mental. Each day, we are interacting with others and making connections, people from the neighborhood, the grocery store, others at work, we go everywhere together. People are much more talkative when you have a handsome dog with you! There is also healing in the connection with others. I encourage you to try the same by getting out exercising and talking to your neighbors, give it some time, you will feel better.

Please help me support Veterans Moving Forward’s mission of providing service dogs, facility dogs and emotional support dogs to veterans with physical and / or mental health challenges at no cost to the veteran or their families by making a pledge donation through this page. The donation process is fast, easy and secure, you can either make payment based on your Pledge A Penny commitment, make a one-time donation or set up monthly donations.

Thank you for supporting our veterans through Veterans Moving Forward please don't forget to send this page to any friends you think might be interested in donating and supporting veterans through Veterans Moving Forward.

Sincerely,

Tim & Baldy

Tim Himes: Pledge A Penny, Change A Life.

By Veterans Moving Forward

Tim Himes: Pledge A Penny, Change A Life.