Monday marked the first day of this year's "22 in 22," a period of 22 days when Navy veteran Joel Rockey, founder of Vet Friends Foundation, rescues at least one dog every day from a shelter. He then donates the dogs to other veterans for free. 

He chose the number 22 because every day, 22 veterans die by suicide. That number has gone down recently, but he says he uses the number to show how bad it can get. 

He aims to rescue dogs who are close to euthanasia, which are typically older dogs or injured dogs. 

"I think teaming up with veterans they realize that it's not going to be rainbows and butterflies, there's going to be bad days but they damn sure appreciate being there next to those dogs during these days," said Rockey.