Where did you serve and what did you do?
I was an Airborne Infantryman and later a Special Operations Sniper. Desert Storm, OIF x 3, OEF x 2, Noble Eagle (Presidential Detail) 26 Years
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
My Service Dog (Sadie) is from Smoky Mountain Service Dogs. She was paired with me through SMSD and the VA. She is a mobility dog that helps me live the best quality of life possible. Even though she is not trained in PTSD Issues, she helps me tremendously with my PTSD by having me focus on her and the responsibilities it takes to have a dog/pet. She is highly trained (2-year course) and assists me in numerous tasks, picking up my shoes or socks, can take socks off my feet, can assist me getting up out of a chair and moving up steps. Can grab my phone if it rings. These are just a few things she is trained to do. Those little everyday things are a huge help to my limited mobility. She eases my anxiety when I am out in public. I cannot imagine life without her.
I share my military experiences and life before and after getting Sadie and how she changed/ saved my life and improved it. I speak at schools, events, and radio talk shows for public awareness. And to assist veterans that are struggling through the same things and looking for a piece of the puzzle to help them. Even if they may not qualify for a service dog, the bottom line is to get the help and assistance they may need through the VA and other Veteran Organizations like the VFW, DAV, American Legion, etc. And what they offer.
Why do you do it?
To help any veteran that may need help. I lost my best friend and sniper partner to suicide. After his death, I was mad, asking why he didn’t reach out. Why didn’t he say something? Why didn’t I see this coming? I realized years later there were signs and my own struggles I was having that I kept denying.