Vietnam-era veteran Julie Kirk joined the Army at age 18. She trained as a medic and worked on the surgical floor of the hospital at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri taking care of injured soldiers returning from the Vietnam War. Several months into her service, Julie was sexually assaulted. She suffered an emotional collapse and was honorably discharged. It is a secret she held for thirty years before finally confiding in her counselor. That was the beginning of her healing process. A lasting transformation took place when she was partnered with her service dog Mal through Operation Freedom Paws.

In 1990 U.S. Navy veteran Dave Jennelle was deployed to the Persian Gulf as a part of Operation Desert Shield. He was assigned to the amphibious assault ship, the USS Tripoli, and was on board when it struck 350 pounds of TNT in early morning hours. He sustained a traumatic brain injury which, after many years, was finally diagnosed by the VA. Dave lives with post-traumatic stress as well. After years of restlessness and anger, he learned about service animals and Operation Freedom Paws. His life has been transformed since he was partnered with and trained his service dog Laddie.
22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day. This statistic does not include servicewomen that have taken their lives.

At age 18, veteran Carlos Vera enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for six years. In 1992, he deployed to Somalia, Operation Restore Hope, and was among the first troops to arrive to that conflict. Poorly equipped and on call 24/7, the war left its mark. After leaving the military in 1997, all of the symptoms of post-traumatic stress were present, but it was years before he was diagnosed. Treatments he was offered failed. His last stop, at Operation Freedom Paws, was a truly life-saving experience–he was partnered with his service dog Ruthie.
22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day. This statistic does not include servicewomen that have taken their lives.

U.S. Army veteran Chris Dolan was deployed three times, once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. After coming home, it was only after a hospitalization that the Army finally diagnosed him with PTSD. Eventually he learned about service dogs and found Operation Freedom Paws where he met and trained April. With her by his side Chris is more able to get out of flashbacks, depression and nightmares, and can now navigate a crowd.
22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day. This statistic does not include servicewomen that have taken their lives.

U.S. Army veteran Alex Gries served in Iraq. Struggling with the aftermath of combat, Alex partnered and trained with her beloved service dog Sherman at Operation Freedom Paws. Alex is finding her “new normal” with Sherman by her side helping to mitigate the challenges of post-traumatic stress and physical injuries sustained during her military service.

22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day. This statistic does not include servicewomen that have taken their lives.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Chris Ramirez served in Afghanistan. As a result of his military service Chris suffers with post-traumatic stress and other physical injuries. Eventually, over time after coming home, he was introduced to Operation Freedom Paws where he met and trained his service dog Bobby. With Bobby, Chris’ life has been transformed as he has integrated back with his family and community.

22 U.S. veterans commit suicide every day. This statistic does not include servicewomen that have taken their lives