Ryan is a Veteran who served in the Army Reserves for more than 20 years. He was deployed in Iraq in 2005 and in 2006 as a truck driver. You may already know him – not just from being a hero, but for being the 1,000th Warrior to graduate from our program with loyal Service Dog Frankie, a Golden Retriever.
When he left the service, Ryan faced many challenges with PTSD, leading him to have to learn to function again in his day-to-day life. He felt like he had to mask his struggle by shutting down his emotions and not allowing himself to fully experience things in life.
“I did a lot of things with my kids, with my family, [like] my kids’ coaching and going to events, but it took a toll on me every day,” Ryan says.
He turned to K9s For Warriors, and that’s when, through your support, everything changed for him. In 2024, he and Service Dog Frankie became the 1,000th pair to graduate from our program.
Fast forward to today, Ryan and his battle buddy continue to thrive. With Frankie by his side, Ryan has regained the freedom and independence that he yearned for.
Since graduating, Ryan has been able to travel to Europe to see the Colosseum in Rome and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Frankie stays by his side on all his adventures to keep Ryan relaxed and grounded, even when he’s on a crowded subway, train or bus.
When Ryan and Frankie aren’t traveling overseas, Frankie helps Ryan at home to open up about his experience in the Army Reserves and address his service-related trauma in a healthy way.
“With Frankie by my side, I can discuss my own mental health and that of our Veterans, ultimately helping to bring awareness to those I work with, along with strangers I see in the grocery store or at the campground,” Ryan says. “He helps me confront that trauma and discuss it with others in a way that is healing for me, as well as other Veterans or civilians.”
Ryan reflects on how his Facebook memories remind him of a different time. Nine years ago, he explains, he suffered nightmares and knew he needed help, but he was held back by denial.
Today that’s changed, and he encourages other Veterans and their loved ones to seek support.
“If you’re struggling, get help. Ask anybody,” Ryan says. “[And], if you know somebody that could be struggling, that’s been through something, reach out to them, check on them… even if it’s just to ask them, with intention, on how they’re doing.”
We are grateful for the opportunity to help the next 1,000 Veterans by pairing them with life-changing Service Dogs like Frankie. Your support makes it all possible, and we thank you on behalf of the entire team at K9s For Warriors.
