Some designs are more than something you wear. They carry pieces of the stories, people, and pets that inspired them.

For Samantha, former Army spouse and founder of Pits & Prints, creating a shirt for Dogs on Deployment brought several of those pieces together.

At the heart of Pits & Prints are Chinook and Apache, Samantha?s two pit bulls who came into her life at two different military duty stations and were named after Army helicopters. Through some of the most difficult chapters of her life, they became her companions, teachers, and the inspiration for what would eventually become Pits & Prints. The brand was created with a purpose: to challenge misconceptions about pit bull-type dogs, celebrate the bond they share with their people, and use apparel to support organizations working to make a difference.

?I'm so grateful for the opportunity to give back to an organization whose mission means so much to me. As a former Army spouse, I know firsthand how much military families sacrifice. Also, since the two dogs who inspired Pits & Prints are named after Army helicopters and came into my life while at two different duty stations, it is an honor to give back to an organization that helps keep military families and their beloved pets together.?

When it came time to create the design, Samantha found inspiration in something at the heart of Dogs on Deployment: community.

Dogs on Deployment?s mission is to give America?s Heroes peace of mind concerning their pets during service or hardship through connection, compassion, and care. Behind that mission is a nationwide community of people who make it possible. Volunteer DoD Boarders open their hearts and homes to care for military pets during their owners? service commitments, while supporters strengthen the mission through volunteering, advocating, and spreading the word. And for many who become part of that community, it begins to feel a lot like family.

Samantha brought that spirit to life in her design. At its center is a grey pit bull, a nod to Dogs on Deployment?s 2026 American Hero Pet of the Year and Mascot, Juju. In May 2024, Juju was scheduled to be euthanized at the Prince George?s County Animal Shelter in Maryland, where a long-standing breed-specific policy had contributed to chronic overcrowding and placed many pit bull-type dogs on euthanasia lists. Rescued and given a second chance by his Navy family, Juju now uses his platform to advocate for Dogs on Deployment while also raising awareness about breed-specific legislation.

For Samantha, the pit bull is also a personal nod to her own military journey and to Chinook and Apache, bringing the stories behind Pits & Prints and Dogs on Deployment together in one design. Surrounding him is the expansive community that inspired the artwork: military families and their pets, volunteer Boarders, advocates, supporters, and everyone who helps make Dogs on Deployment?s mission possible.

In Samantha?s words, ?It felt like a subtle way to bring the story full circle and leave a little piece of where Pits & Prints began within the design.?

The collaboration design will be available during September, with a portion of every purchase supporting Dogs on Deployment?s programs. And just in time for cooler weather, supporters can find the design on long-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts.

We hope you love the design and everything woven into it: second chances, meaningful connections, the dogs who inspire us, and a community that continues to show up for military families and their beloved pets.