When he served in the Army, Jeff was the go-to guy for emergencies. As a Combat Medic assigned to the Infantry in Afghanistan, he kept the unit safe and healthy when the worst happened.
In his own words, his job was to keep his guys alive.
Now retired, he remembers how much he loved helping people. He still takes that responsibility seriously. Even in the scariest situations, he was known for always being able to put a smile on someone’s face.
“I was always the guy that could make everyone laugh… bring some brevity to even the most intense situations,” he said. “Post-deployment, that Jeff was gone. I was completely trapped in a never-ending cycle of reliving the worst days of my life.”
Jeff helped many people over the years, but he didn’t know how to help himself when he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Reliving those experiences led him to alienating friends and family, struggling with addiction and self-destruction.
“Whether it was alcohol, adrenaline or reckless behaviors…” he admitted. “I even made the mistake of buying a sports car immediately after deployment.”
Jeff felt he couldn’t properly be there for his wife and young son. His wife knew the man he was before the Army. He wanted to be that for her again. Before deployment, Jeff was an avid runner. He loved being outside and staying active. PTSD prevented him from doing what he enjoyed.
Jeff first tried going to the VA to work on his mental health and learn how to cope with his feelings. While that sufficed at first, he was still hiding his symptoms. He didn’t have a sense of control over his emotions. Jeff then heard about Service Dogs and how they can help struggling Veterans.
“That meant a lot to me,” he said.
“It would be a chance to get rid of all that background noise and live in the now.”
Jeff spent a lot of time researching Service Dog organizations. Some didn’t feel like the best fit for him. One day, Jeff ran into some Service Dog Trainers from K9s For Warriors in St. Augustine. He started talking to them and wanted to learn more. It felt like the right fit.
“They were so easy to engage with and gave me so much great information,” Jeff told us. “I felt very comfortable and confident that this was the organization that I wanted to work with.”
Fast-forward to March 2024 – Jeff finally got to K9s For Warriors in Florida to meet his Service Dog and train. He had flashbacks of getting off the plane in Kentucky at Fort Knox and heading into basic training. He didn’t know what to expect – feeling nervous but excited.
Jeff was getting ready to meet his Service Dog for the first time. A lot of Warriors tell us they go into this experience not knowing who to expect on the other side of the fence. It can be an emotional moment once the Veteran lays eyes on their new battle buddy. Jeff walked into the play yard and saw a massive Chocolate Labrador Retriever (90 pounds to be exact) named Eddie. Eddie immediately jumped on Jeff and broke his glasses.
“I immediately got to see his goofy personality and I was very excited about that,” Jeff said.
Jeff knew he wanted his Service Dog to have lots of energy; a reason to come out of his shell. Within the first few days of training, Jeff felt slightly overwhelmed with how much information was coming his way, being in a new environment and of course, trying to get Eddie to settle down!
“You can’t sugarcoat it,” he said. “You have this new dog who is trying to figure you out and learn a routine. But, I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”
There were road bumps along the way. Jeff wondered how he would keep his new furry friend under control. Though Eddie was 90 pounds, he had the energy of a puppy. However, while Eddie loved to play, he also knew when it was time to work. Jeff felt assured seeing how well Eddie did with all his commands – like side, lap and front. Eddie would have his back. Jeff noticed Eddie was giving him something positive to focus on to distract him from stress and anxiety.
The three-week training program empowered Jeff to go to places he hadn’t gone in years. Now with Eddie at his side, he felt more confident that someone was watching and protecting him. Each day, their bond was getting stronger.
Jeff said, “I had a healthy outlet for my stress. Working with Eddie, walking him, playing with him and just being present did so much for me.”
Soon enough, it was time for Jeff and Eddie to graduate together. Jeff was looking forward to bringing his new battle buddy home. He knew Eddie would help him feel confident while going out in public and avoid worrying about his surroundings. Eddie was his focus now. The three weeks of training showed Jeff how Eddie can respond to his anxiety. He would check in with him, letting everything else fade into the background.
“I feel like I got another opportunity to get back to all the things I’d lost,” Jeff said. “I know Eddie is watching out for me.”
Every Warrior class at K9s is special. Jeff’s class marked the 1,000th Warrior and Service Dog team to graduate from the program since its inception in 2011. This was special to Jeff because of his passion for helping others. It reminded him of his responsibility in the military to care for people on and off the battlefield.
“If you’ve suffered wounds like so many of us have, I still feel a sense of duty for you,” he said.
He recalled how Veterans can often lose their sense of purpose and community after their military service ends. It’s something he hears repeatedly when talking with other Veterans. Jeff says his Service Dog gave him that sense of purpose back.
Since returning home, Jeff rediscovered his passion for running. He now brings Eddie along to races and marathons. Earlier this month, Eddie conquered his first 10k! Jeff even keeps track of Eddie’s personal records (he recently beat his 5k PR)!
Eddie is continuously helping Jeff stay mindful and in the moment for his son, his wife and especially himself. He became the person he always wanted to be. Jeff says Eddie makes him a present father. Eddie gave his son the gift of a father who is not distracted by the things no one can see.
Seeking recovery can be an intimidating first step for many Veterans. It’s difficult to show up for oneself after selflessly serving.
Jeff encourages Veterans who are struggling to give K9s For Warriors a chance; to start the journey of healing.
“If you are struggling, if you feel like a Service Dog would be the right fit for you, I encourage you to reach out to K9s For Warriors,” he said. “There are so many ways to be involved that make a difference. I know the difference it’s made in my life… in Eddie’s life.”
