Where did you serve and what did you do?
U.S. Air Force Veteran – Cold War Imagery Intelligence Analyst at the 497th Reconnaissance Technical Group, USAFE, Schierstein Compound, West Germany, 1981-1985.
Tell us how your dog is helping you continue #StillServing in your community.
The Littlest Airman
PTSD Service Dog and Red Cross Therapy Dog
“Penny” aka “Radar” is a professionally trained PTSD Service Dog from “Pawsibilities Unleashed Military Service Dog Program” providing service dogs free of charge to disabled veterans in the state of Kentucky and has thus been my little copilot for almost 9 years.
In addition to literally saving my life more than once and helping me take back my life from PTSD, she earned an honorary M.Ed. in Human Services and Counseling from my alma mater, has served with me on numerous state boards, and has, for the past 4 years, served with me as a Disaster Responder for the American Red Cross helping numerous people overcome significant adversity and horrific tragedy as a Red Cross Therapy dog.
She earned her Red Cross vest during a tragic disaster response event in 2019 where she directly alerted to and calmed a young client allowing responders to open the case. Since, we have been an inseparable Red Cross DAT/DMH team.
Weighing in at aprx 6 lbs., she truly is a pint-sized hero with a heart of gold.
Why do you do it?
Duty, Honor, Integrity… helping others is the absolute MOST rewarding of professions.