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Bio

Andy L. Vistrand was born in Niobe, New York. He is an animal lover who grew up with pets, more specifically, English Bulldogs. He attended Panama Central School and graduated in 2003  with a Regents High School Diploma. He enlisted in the Marines after high school and served his country for five years. Vistrand is an honorably discharged combat veteran and former law enforcement officer. His active duty service to the United States military included deployments Iraq on three occasions. Vistrand served as a UH-1N Huey helicopter crew chief, logging nearly one thousand hours in flight time. Over six hundred hours of that time is red hours, or combat flight time. Rising to the rank of Corporal, he earned the distinction of weapons and tactics instructor for all squadron purposes and missions. ​Vistrand served for five years as a law enforcement officer, serving two West Tennessee municipalities. He earned notable distinction as a law enforcement professional, having become certified in advance roadside impaired driving enforcement.​Vistrand earned his Bachelor of Science degree with honors in business management from Bethel University.​A family man dedicated to community service, Vistrand is an active member serving in an officer capacity in the Jackson, Tennessee Marine Corps League Detachment. There, he leads the Toys for Tots campaign in his home county, among other responsibilities.

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Welcome! 

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Thank you for your support!

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"Rescued"

I am glad you are here! Telling the story of how Dozer saved my life was difficult, but also something that helped me cope with his loss. I know people love their animals as if they were human. In my house, our pets are family. Anyone who has lost a dog, or any cherished family pet, can relate to this story. If you are a dog person, this is a story for you!

 

Get "Rescued" today!

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Available at:

Walmart, Target, Books a Million, Barnes and Noble, Amazon and eBay

Luanne Russell - Panama, NY

"Thank you Andy for sharing your story, as a mother of three soldiers, I know the hardships can be real. Thank you for your service as well. The book touches on real life experiences and how you can overcome the hardships and learn from them, also about how god works in mysterious ways. Take the time to read great job, Andy."

Charlie Williams - Jackson, TN

"My friend, Marine brother and author Andy Vistrand delivered Mitzi and I our copy this afternoon.

It’s a great read and no matter where you are in life you should read it. It affected me deeply as it brought back memories of the days I was living on the edge and in the darkness.

God works in mysterious ways, but he’s always working for our good. Thanks Andy for the reminder we all need occasionally."

Billy Carey - Medina, TN

"Rescued is a wonderfully written book that is not only about a life saving bond between a man and his dog, but also how things happen in life because of God’s intervention! While Andy and Dozer's paths crossed, neither had any idea, at the time, how much they needed each other!

Thanks for the sharing Andy! Great job telling an amazing story!"

Sharon Jenson - Rochester, New Hampshire

"Rescued was a fantastic book. It really touched my heart. Unless you have walked in a soldiers shoes, you have no idea the demons they bring home."

John & Donna Vistrand - Milan, TN

"Enjoyed reading Rescued, the book showed the love between Dozer, Andy and his family. It was touching seeing pictures of Andy's family and Dozer. It also touched your heart, for Andy rescued Dozer, as Dozer rescued him. As a pet owner, and losing many dogs over the years due to age, and other health factors, I felt a connection with what Andy and his family dealt with, losing Dozer. A good read for sure."

Heath Menezes - Somerset, MA

"I had the pleasure of serving with Andy for a couple of years. Reading "Rescued" brought back a flood of memories that mirrored what Andy experienced. I am proud of him for having the courage to admit, not only to himself, but to everyone the conflicting emotions that he experienced during those difficult days. You were blessed to have Dozer in your life for 13 years! He provided the emotional grounding you needed to grow out of the introverted nature of the military. We are made to believe that we cannot display our fears of failure. Excellent work Andy, I look forward to reading any future works!"

Michael Hanks - Denmark, TN

"Rescued by Andy L. Vistrand is an absolute gem of a book that tells the heartwarming story of a man and his dog. Although it is a story about a pet-owner relationship, it is not the typical narrative that one might expect. Rather, it highlights the incredible bond that can exist between humans and animals and, more importantly, how God can bring people and their pets together in the most unexpected of ways.

Andy's personal story of how he found Dozer, his four-legged companion, is fraught with challenges and emotions. As he describes his worries and insecurities about rescuing the dog, readers are transported to a world full of resilience, fortitude, and vulnerability. But this is not just any ordinary story of rescue. Through Andy's experiences with Dozer, we learn about the beauty of faith and the ways in which divine intervention can alter the course of one's life. The author's candidness also makes the reader empathize with him, further cementing the bond that exists in the book.

The book showcases the positive impact a loyal dog can have on its owner, giving a refreshing perspective on pets as protectors. Moreover, it is an excellent reminder of how God works in our lives. Rescued is a must-read for anyone, animal lover or not because the story resonates with readers in a way that is hard to put into words. Highly recommended."

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