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The moment I applied, my life changed. K9s gave me hope to be able to say that I am not alone.

- Army Veteran, Jose

Jose & Mello

Rio is not only a Service Dog, but a best friend.

– Marine Veteran, Allen

The pure unconditional love these Service Dogs bring to us Warriors is exactly what we need to help us get through our darkness.

– Marine Veteran, Toye

I just couldn’t see anything good happening. But then Cameo came along, and she finally gave me a win. She will continue to change my life for the better forever.

– Army Veteran, Daniel

Warrior and Service Dog

Having Eagle has helped to minimize my anxiety and hypervigilance when out in public settings. Eagle helps redirect my attention to him rather than the setting I am in.

– Navy Veteran, Joe

Warrior and Service Dog

I had been medically retired from the Marine Corps. I was struggling. I was on 24 pills a day, the pills were killing me. There is a way out besides the pills, besides suicide, there’s light. K9s For Warriors saves two lives. They save shelter dogs, and they save Veterans lives.

It Comes Down to One Word: FREEDOM

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

2 min read

After defending the freedom of others, James found himself held captive to the effects of PTSD. Thanks to his Service Dog, Scottie, and supporters like you, he’s found the freedom to live again.

James’ family places public service above all. He followed suit by serving more than 22 years in the Marines and the Army.

From the first Gulf War as a Marine, to being among the first sent to Afghanistan in the wake of 9/11, he was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq a total of seven times, ultimately earning him a Purple Heart.

But his experiences during those two decades left invisible scars. After defending the freedom of others, he was held captive to the effects of PTSD.

Thankfully, friends like you helped change his life. In 2015, he met Shari Duval, the late founder of K9s For Warriors, whom Warriors and staff affectionately called “Mom.”

“After talking about my experiences and deployments with Shari, I broke down and Mom told me that she could help me,” he remembers.

James matched with his first Service Dog, Bernie, the following year and says he never looked back. He no longer isolated and started living again. After Bernie sadly passed away, James knew what he had to do — head back to K9s.

In May 2023, James was paired with his second Service Dog, Scottie.

“My bond with Scottie was instantaneous,” James says. “Having been through the program before, I was unsure how deep of a connection I would have with another dog … Scottie cast all doubt to the side, and in his own way let me know that he has my back.”

James is so thankful to have a second opportunity to enjoy life with a highly trained Service Dog by his side.

“It comes down to one word: FREEDOM,” James says. “He gives me the freedom to move around and live my life."

Because of you, Warriors like James can find the freedom to live.

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