Where did you serve and what did you do?

I served as a US Navy/Naval Reserve Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman for 29 years, spending 1/2 my time with shipboard units and the other half with USMC units. I completed a tour of duty in Anbar Province in Iraq in 2005-06 with 5/14 Marines. We operated out of Ramadi, Fallujah, Al Asad and Al Quim.

Tell us how your dog is helping you continue Still Serving in your community.

I am the President of the local Fleet Reserve Association, was the Chairman and now serve on the Board of Directors of the Florida Veterans Foundation and am also a member of the local VFW. Since, I have returned from Iraq, I use running as a way to help manage PTSD. I have run 18 marathons and hundreds of races since returning. Princess my 14 lb. dog is my loyal running companion. She runs with me every morning at 0600 and when I trained for marathons would stay running with me up to 16 miles. When I miss a couple days of running, she goes into the dirty laundry basket and spreads my dirty running clothes out on the floor. She is a true companion.

Why do you do it?

I am fortunate that I returned physically intact and mentally not as challenged as some of my brothers and sisters are. Serving other veterans who have seen worse and deal with much more than me is therapeutic for me.