Veteran Testimonials
Sharon & Radar
My name is Sharon and I hail from a small town in Kentucky where I was born and raised. Back in 1987, I was a young single mother with three jobs and a feeling of stagnancy in my life. I knew I had to do more for my future and my daughter's future, so I made a life-changing decision to join the United States Army.
Initially, I intended to serve for many years, but unfortunately, a malfunction during field exercises resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and later, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Nevertheless, despite the physical and psychological trauma, I endured while serving, I would do it all over again if called upon. My military experience instilled in me a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as valuable traits such as leadership, discipline, teamwork, and adaptability that have served me well in my career after leaving the military.
Moreover, my military service inspired me to give back to my community, which led me to become a social worker for the past 28 years. Currently, I am the Director of Human Services, serving those in need in my county. In 2018, after consulting with my doctor, I applied to Patriot Service Dogs for a service animal that could assist me with my disabilities. In June of 2019, I was blessed with my service animal, Radar, and my world changed forever.
Before Radar, I thought my medical conditions would force me to give up my job, but he has been a true blessing in my life, assisting me with mobility, emotional support, and medical alerts. With Radar by my side, I can continue working and have an overall sense of well-being. He has even helped me overcome hidden military demons that haunted me for years.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have served our country and for the sacrifices of those who have served and continue to serve today. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Sharon
Jack & Bailey
“Bailey Boy”
Bailey is a “Devil Dog.”
Devil Dogs commit themselves to service.
The hours are long, the pay is nonexistent, and yet…
Duty and Mission dominate his existence.
Loyalty, Dependability, and Trustworthiness is his dogma.
Every morning is a new beginning filled with the Purest Joy and Absolute Love.
No remorse, no regrets, no expectations. Just another day to cheerfully serve.
Semper Fidelis is more than a motto – Fidelity is his core.
Bailey is not my dog. I am Honored and privileged to be his Marine.
The world would be a better place if more people had a buddy like Bailey.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank Patriot Service Dogs for uniting us.
Mark & Bradley
Bradley is full of energy and loves to help me out in any way he can. Bradley's specific training to my needs allows him to help me live a more functional life. There are certain things that I did not understand if I would be able to do again, but I found out with Bradley I can do them. He has a bond with me that a person nor a material item can provide. He is a big ball of energy, but when it's time to get into "Cape," he turns into my superhero. I am truly grateful for Patriot Service Dogs and the legacy they are passing on every year to help support wounded veterans like myself. You have touched me and my family's lives forever, and I couldn't imagine life without my buddy (Bradley). For that, I am truly grateful.
Shawn & Everlove
I'm not sure what I expected before getting Evv but it wasn't much. I really didn't trust that he would change my life so much. But he has made daily life, for lack of a better word, normal. And I'll take that any day. My kids have noticed that I'm more present in the moment, less on edge. I've been able to join them at theme parks, shopping malls and anywhere they want. Because of Evv, I don't have to live in the past, I'm present for every moment.
Karren & Millie
I am an Operation Enduring Freedom Air Force combat veteran. I am very proud to have fought for my country, but being a woman in the military was very difficult. I had to work twice as hard to prove myself and often times had to swallow the harassment and degrading behavior from men who felt threatened and resisted my success and position.
After coming back home from deployment, I felt like something inside of me had changed. I felt lost, alone, broken and damaged. No one understood how I was feeling. As a woman who doesn’t fit the “mold” of what a veteran is supposed to look like and not having obvious physical trauma, I felt isolated and angry because people prejudged and dismissed my feelings.
As the years went by, I grew more and more despondent, and my symptoms worsened. The lowest point in my life was when I was at an amusement park with my daughter, and she realized that I was feeling anxious and scared. She held my hand and said, “It’s going to be okay, Mom.” My daughter was comforting me when it should have been the other way around.
One day, I was referred to a wonderful organization, Patriot Service Dogs. My initial thought was, service dogs are for individuals with obvious injuries who can’t get around and need help with mobility. I felt selfish even considering getting a service dog. But PSD helped me understand that service dogs are also trained to help individuals with PTSD and MST related trauma.
I was honored when they informed me that they had paired me with a dog named Millie. I was a nervous wreck, but on our very first night together, Millie got out of her kennel, jumped on my bed and slept next to me. I put my arms around her, and all the fear, loneliness and anxiety that I felt melted away. I felt an instant connection to this little soul who was already doing her job to help my very broken self. I held her and cried. I whispered, “Millie, we can do this.”
Millie has changed my entire life, and I feel very proud to have her by my side. I can’t imagine my life without her. I feel like a completely different person. She is my best friend, my confidant and my pillow to cry on during tough times. And as I grip the leash that was passed down to me upon graduation with Millie, I also walk around with all of those individuals who trained, fostered and shed tears when they had to say goodbye to her.
And the biggest change? I can go places with my daughter, Ruby, where she runs around and is free to be the little girl she’s supposed to be. Now I comfort and make her feel safe, as it should be. (With Millie helping with dog kisses, of course.)
Thank you, Patriot Service Dogs, for giving me my life back and helping me be the woman, the mom and the partner I was meant to be. I am forever in your debt.
