Where did you serve and what did you do?

I was a combat medic in the Army, serving in Iraq in 2003-04 and again in 2006-07. I was medically retired as a Sergeant First Class in 2011 after getting injured in the line of duty in 2008.

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

Following my retirement, I went through a program that trained pets to be service dogs. My dog at the time learned my PTSD triggers and helped me reintegrate back into a functioning member of society. I’m now a registered nurse and teach nursing students at a local university. That dog passed away from cancer last year. I got a new dog last year and had her professionally trained.

Why do you do it?

It’s a great feeling to have some level of normalcy in my life. Before having a service dog, I didn’t want to go into the store. Now, I know that I can put her at a “watch”, and she is going to ensure that I have buffer of personal space.