Where did you serve and what did you do?
Afghanistan, I was an airborne truck driver in a Special Ops support unit. I was sent forward without the rest of my unit and attached to 75th Ranger Regt. on a THT team (tactical human intelligence team). I went along on Ranger raids to help search females, etc.
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
Prior to having a service dog, it was very hard for me to leave the house. I had to get my groceries delivered, etc.
I met Athena at our local Veterans Day parade, my truck was pulling the float for my VFW Post and she kept finding us when we would stop and try to jump into my truck! She was wearing an “adopt me” vest. After the fourth or fifth time she escaped the OKGSR volunteer, we decided she chose us and we had to adopt her. I had just suffered my first of what would end up being five back to back miscarriages (possibly due to burn pit exposure). My previous service dog Sheba, passed about a month later after adopting Athena. She couldn’t have found me at a better time.
Now, I am out in my community more and serve on the post and state level in the VFW. My husband and I have completed thousands of community service hours. My dog Athena will soon be our VFW Post’s official mascot. Having a service dog has literally given me my life back!
Why do you do it?
I love to help veterans and my service dog helps me to be able to do that.