Letter to Waiting Warriors

“Dear waiting Warrior,

You have so much ahead of you: so much love, compassion, and companionship, tied to you by the single leather leash that will hold your soul forever.”

Hannah, a K9 caretaker, knows the true healing power of dogs better than most. She’s seen it time and time again. She’s seen Service Dogs save veterans’ lives.

She Stole My Husband’s Heart

I think I’m pretty lucky.

I get to wake up every morning, roll over and see my adoring husband, Josh, snuggled up to a cute, chubby blonde named Cabo.

But don’t worry – Cabo is his Service Dog, and she has changed his life, and mine, in ways I still don’t understand.

Day in the Life of a K9 Caretaker

It’s 4:30 in the morning, and the sun hasn’t risen yet. Somewhere a K9 caretaker is turning their alarm off as they get out of bed to prepare for their morning shift.

They have an important job to do: caring for a dog that’s going to save a life.

Couldn’t Stop Running

“Have you seen Forest Gump?” asked 17-year U.S Marine Corps veteran Keith Hudson.

“It felt like I was running and running, and I couldn’t stop.”

14 jobs. Three divorces. Financial turmoil.

Returning to civilian life was not easy.

Shelter to Service Dog

The shelter was packed. Deep, caramel eyes peer up distrustfully from behind the gate of his enclosure. Unsure of his new visitors.

Barks, high and low, echo off the walls of Lake City Humane Society — bouncing back and forth like ping pong balls. His brown ears twitch this way and that, white-patched snoot sniffing the air.

Weeks ago, he’d been stretched out on a sofa, sneaking stray pieces of popcorn off the floor. How had he ended up here?

Walk into Army veteran Adam Werner’s house, and you’ll find neon post-it notes plastered over every empty surface, all scribbled with reminders to do this and that — remove clothes from washer, pick up kids from soccer practice, Dr. appointment @ 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

He forgets to do it if he doesn’t write it down.

“Living with a traumatic brain injury is…frustrating,” Werner said.

Golf Tournament Recap

Thank you to all of our supporters. We hope you enjoyed our 2nd Annual Golf tournament, contests, and company of fellow veteran supporters.

September 12, 2001 — The Day After

September 12, 2001 — the day Ryan Jackson’s life was changed forever.

Jackson, still a senior in high school at the time, remembers the horror of watching the towers go down. The deadliest terror attack in U.S. history.

The very next day, he was in the U.S. Army recruiter’s office, signing his name on the dotted line.

Paying it Forward: Service Dog to Station Dog

“I think she senses it — dogs can, right?” said Atlantic Beach Chief of Police Victor Gualilo of Station Dog C4. “You’re not having a good day, and they just want to be around you. They want to be a part of your next five minutes.”

C4, a therapy dog donated by K9s For Warriors to Atlantic Beach Police Department, has become the unofficial greeter to all those who enter the station’s doors. As soon as she sees a new face, her entire body lights up with anticipation. Her tail alone is a force of nature.

I Almost Lost Her

“He gave me back the person I fell in love with,” Yesenia said fondly of her wife’s Service Dog, Hoosier AHEPA.

Before her deployment with the U.S. Army, Natalie was once bubbly and social — the life of the party. But upon her return home, she felt lost.

“As soon as the uniform came off, I was a mess,” Natalie sighed.