A New Jersey veteran is pleading with the public for information about his lost emotional support dog.

Marine veteran Sgt. Jrlouis Ruiz says that he only had his dog Apollo for a few weeks and that be believes that the puppy was stolen. Ruiz says that while he only had the dog a short time, they quickly became best friends and the dog made Ruiz a happier person.

“I was in a better place, I guess in my head, with Apollo,” says Ruiz.

Ruiz says that Apollo disappeared earlier this month, after a day at a dog-friendly beach in Middletown. Ruiz put the dog in the backseat of his truck and turned to help someone else pack up. A few minutes later Apollo was gone.

Ruiz says that he believes that Apollo was stolen because the dog was trained to stay close by.

“He would have stayed under the truck. He always does. He’s not one to run away,” Ruiz says.

Ruiz says that he is working with Middletown police and a handful of animal rescue groups to find Apollo. He is offering a reward for the dog’s return – no questions asked.

There is a Find Apollo Facebook page and flyers are hanging around Middletown. Local volunteers are also searching for the dog. Ruiz says that the human support during this time has been overwhelming.

“I don’t know any of them and they went out of their way to help me out…It’s made me feel better. Restored hope,” says Ruiz.

There is GoFundMe page set up to pay for the reward. Anyone who may have additional information is urged to contact Middletown police at 732-615-2100.