VFW Post 2947 officer Eli Semer stepped up to honor local veterans at his community’s annual Memorial Day parade. “Our Vietnam memorial float was on its last leg, so I decided to start building a new one,” he said. But Semer didn’t undertake the project alone. His mother helped with historical research, while Semer’s service dog,…
During a military career that spanned more than two decades, Marine Corps veteran Thomas J. Heaton earned a reputation as a leader and mentor. Despite his ability to inspire and strengthen others, Heaton struggled personally between deployments. “When I came home, I wanted to be overseas, and when I was overseas, I wanted to be…
It was important to Air Force veteran Jennifer Korecki to stay connected to the military community after transitioning back to civilian life. But it was not always easy, at least not on her own. “My service dog Ben plays a huge role in helping me stay engaged,” she said. “He gives me the confidence,…
After undergoing surgery and physical therapy to walk again, Susie Marshall’s recovery depended on the support of others. That included her service dog. As it turned out, Marshall wasn’t the only one to benefit from Zira’s healing effect. She set out, with Zira by her side, to help others. The duo volunteers at Pleasant Valley…
On Nov. 10, 2023, Navy veteran Joseph Radmacher received a phone call. “A woman from a rescue group asked if I would adopt a 4-year-old Pomeranian from a puppy mill,” he said. Still grieving the loss of his previous dog, which happened to be a Pomeranian as well, Radmacher explained that he was not sure…
VFW Life member and Department of Texas District 28 Commander John Jowers is Still Serving his community with help from his service dog, Sunny. After serving in Afghanistan, Jowers developed Post Traumatic Stress. He credits Sunny for his ability to help fellow veterans today. With Sunny by his side, Jowers attends events in support of…
Veteran Lon Smith is Still Serving as a Life member of VFW Post 8466 in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with his emotional support dog, Lon Smith Jr. (LJ), an Imperial Shih Tzu. Smith developed Post Traumatic Stress after serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. LJ distracts Smith during episodes of anxiety or depression and when he…
Veteran Eric King is Still Serving in the U.S. Army Reserve with help from his German Shepherd service dog, Zoka. After serving in combat, King developed post-traumatic stress. Zoka redirects King when he becomes overwhelmed by using her paws or body to apply calming pressure. “Because of her, I can fully participate in life,” King…
Las Vegas, Nevada, veteran Alan Deogracias is Still Serving his community. His companion, Sansa, a therapy dog, serves alongside him. Together, they visit the local VA hospital once a week as a therapy dog team. Deogracias also serves coffee each week at the VA Northwest Clinic. Outside of his VA volunteer work, Deogracias is the…
Army veteran Elliott Casey served in Iraq by helping clear supply routes of improvised explosive device (IED) hazards and as a Meerkat operator. He also assisted Marines and Army units as a subject matter specialist. Last year, Casey lost his older brother unexpectedly. The support his family received inspired him to give back to the…
Between 2013 and 2015, Annie Ferguson served in Afghanistan as a member of the Navy’s special warfare female engagement team and then in Iraq as an expeditionary intelligence specialist. “After back-to-back combat deployments, I had to admit to myself that my mental health was in shambles,” she said. Ferguson went on a 91-day paddling expedition…
Andrea Melcher served in Afghanistan as a member of the special ops support unit, but much of her time was spent assisting the 75th Ranger Regiment as a member of the tactical human intelligence team. After service, SGT Melcher joined VFW Post 9126 near Tulsa, Oklahoma. While she was pulling its float in a Veterans…
After leaving the military, San Antonio, Texas, veteran Christina Herr got her service dog, Sarafina, to help with her anxiety. But her canine companion has helped Herr do more than successfully manage her condition. Together, the two are Still Serving by advocating for and empowering veterans at various events. Most recently, they attended the American…
Liverpool, New York, veteran Brett Hurlburt is enjoying Still Serving with his service dog, Rotary. With Rotary’s help, Hurlburt can better control his Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and spend time serving his community. One way he does this is by helping rehabilitate racehorses into trail horses and getting them ready for adoption. Hurlburt is also a…
Paul McAfee, 74, a Life member of VFW Post #2535 in Lockport, New York, left the Army in 1971 after three years of service, including one year in Vietnam. “Post-Traumatic Stress has affected my life and career ever since,” he said. It was not until 2014 — more than 40 years later — that McAfee…
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