Michael Souza and his service dog Gizmo. Michael served in the U.S. Army, 1979-1983.
Training provided by Operation Freedom Paws.
“I am a veteran. I served 30 years ago, my injuries are not related to combat but I can really relate to the people that I am in training with that have recently gotten out of the service and that have PTSD. It’s very difficult. When you are out in public, no one can see your injury, you look normal, you look fine. Gizmo is like a shield when I’m out, because I cannot be in confined spaces, like in a grocery store. If I get to the point where I can’t see the door, that’s a trigger for me. But if Gizmo is with me, I don’t have that issue.”
– Michael Souza