Where did you serve and what did you do?
I was an Aerospace Ground Equipment mechanic and served at Aviano AB, Italy, AL Udeid AB, Qatar, and Nellis AFB, Nevada
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
When we first got Apollo, it was just to be a pet. However, due to things that happened while I was on Active Duty, I suffer from MST/PTSD. He started taking notice when I would get upset, when my heart rate would elevate, and when I would have panic attacks. He was already the most loving and gentle dog I had ever been around so we started researching how to train a Psychiatric Service dog. He picked up the training in no time and started alerting whenever I was starting to have panic attacks and will distract me until I start to calm down. Apollo also antlers when my blood pressure is up which has recently become an even bigger issue since I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He has also been trained to alert to my husband, sons, or mom if I am having or about to have POTS symptoms since they need to help me get to a safe place so I don’t fall if I pass out. All of his help keeps me safe physically and mentally so that I can continue to serve!
Why do you do it?
Serving veterans and their families and continuing to serve our community helps keep me active when depression and anxiety strike to keep me in bed! Having Apollo by my side helps me feel safe while doing these things! Continuing to help the community whether through Scouting, VFW, or as “_____ mom” at any of the activities our sons continue to participate in helps to fill a hole that was left when I was no longer able to be in the Air Force.