Meet Our Veterans: at the heart of Canines for Service
Michael
Partnered with service dog Ethan in January 2020
When you’ve been to Desert Storm and Iraq and you’ve got PTSD real bad, you don’t want to get out and you don’t want to do things. With Ethan, now I’ve got hope again. I’ve laughed. I’ve smiled. I just feel good.
Michael spent nearly 25 years of his life serving our country in both the United States Army and Navy. During his service, he suffered several injuries which led him to have feelings of isolation and a lack of independence. Feeling hopeless and desperately wanting a change, Michael sought out Canines for Service.
It was clear the moment Michael was introduced to his service dog, Ethan, that the two were meant to be. In their time together as partners, they have established an incredible bond.
Mary
Partnered with service dog Salim in October 2019
I know it sounds ridiculous, but I really feel like I have my life back. I used to not be able to go anywhere- my daughter would always have to be with me. Now look at me- I am out and about all day! He has changed my life and I just love him so much and this is everything I had hoped for…You don’t know how good it feels to just get up and go somewhere just because I want to.
Rosemary was a member of the United States Army, where she bravely served for nine years. Because of the trauma she faced during her service, Rosemary needed to retire, but her suffering did not end there. For over twenty years, Rosemary has lived with both visible and invisible wounds that left her essentially home bound. She relied heavily on her adult daughter if she absolutely had to leave the home for something. She was losing hope and had lost a lot of the joy in her life; until she met Salim.
Salim was a thin, gangly, and energetic young dog when we were fortunate enough to rescue him from a local shelter. He was found roaming the streets and no one ever claimed him; unfortunately, a common story for a lot of the dogs in our program. Despite his rocky past, Salim was an absolute joy to be around. He could bring a smile to anyone’s face with his goofy mannerisms, and when it came time to work, he was sharp and eager to please.
After eleven months of training, Salim was ready to find his forever home and to be the difference in someone’s life. Rosemary was eagerly waiting and when she laid eyes on him for the first time in October of 2019, her entire face lit up. They have been inseparable ever since.
Nate
Partnered with service dog Dexter in October 2018
I feel like the me you met was a different person. I’m doing so much more now. We even have a trip planned- just us, a family reunion! He’s made my life so much better. I’m truly not sure where I’d be today without Dexter and the support of this organization.
Nate served in the United States Marine Corps, deploying multiple times over his eight years of service, where he sustained service-connected disabilities. The impact these injuries had on Nate’s life motivated were becoming too much to handle and Nate needed a change.
Dexter came to Canines for Service in February from a rescue in Charlotte, North Carolina. He had been surrendered to the rescue after one of his owners was threatening to harm him when he excitedly jumped up on a car to greet someone. One look from Dexter’s big, soulful eyes will melt anyone’s heart. He learned commands at an exceptional rate and excelled through the service dog training program.
Throughout their training week, Nate’s permanent smile and Dexter’s constantly wagging tail, spoke volumes about this new team’s bond. Dexter helps Nate on a daily basis with stability, balance, retrieving items and much, much more.