Veteran's Service Dog Needs Help
Donation protected
Jack saved my life. After returning home from the war in Iraq, suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, whenever I thought about doing something stupid, or when I was alone and without hope, he was there. At first I regretted getting him, he pooped everywhere, he destroyed my carpets and he ate my XBOX. I once found him standing on the kitchen table eating an entire pizza I had just ordered.
Jack needed guidance, training, love and support, he needed a partner, and that wasn't me, at least not at first. I cringe now as I remember driving him back to my Aunt's house and begging her to take him back. She refused of course, claiming I needed him.
I soon learned Jack couldn't destroy my life, if I brought him with me everywhere. This isn't as easy as it may sound, to say nothing of being perceived as the "weird dog guy." But it worked and people soon became used to seeing me with Jack running around town. I remember one time when I left him at the groomers, being pulled over by a local Deputy Sheriff and asked:
"Where's the dog?"
Jack trained me in many ways in those early days, I had to learn to control my temper, and stay present and mindful of my outbursts, because they scared my dog. It never occurred to me that I may be intimidating people around me, all I cared about was, I wasn't hurting Jack. My Therapist, noticing the change and asked me what had happened and I responded:
"I got a dog." That is when Jack became a service dog. The good doctor then assisted me with getting Jack certified.
Getting Jack changed my life, I watched him grow and evolve into a well behaved, well trained companion and his effect on me has been mutual. He reads me like a cheap novel and lets me know when I need to be mindful of my behavior, that is his service,
Now Jack needs help, three days ago he was diagnosed with Lymph Node Cancer. The cancer was caught early so his prognoses is good, but I can't afford the treatment he so desperately needs. Please consider helping Jack beat this challenge.
Jack needed guidance, training, love and support, he needed a partner, and that wasn't me, at least not at first. I cringe now as I remember driving him back to my Aunt's house and begging her to take him back. She refused of course, claiming I needed him.
I soon learned Jack couldn't destroy my life, if I brought him with me everywhere. This isn't as easy as it may sound, to say nothing of being perceived as the "weird dog guy." But it worked and people soon became used to seeing me with Jack running around town. I remember one time when I left him at the groomers, being pulled over by a local Deputy Sheriff and asked:
"Where's the dog?"
Jack trained me in many ways in those early days, I had to learn to control my temper, and stay present and mindful of my outbursts, because they scared my dog. It never occurred to me that I may be intimidating people around me, all I cared about was, I wasn't hurting Jack. My Therapist, noticing the change and asked me what had happened and I responded:
"I got a dog." That is when Jack became a service dog. The good doctor then assisted me with getting Jack certified.
Getting Jack changed my life, I watched him grow and evolve into a well behaved, well trained companion and his effect on me has been mutual. He reads me like a cheap novel and lets me know when I need to be mindful of my behavior, that is his service,
Now Jack needs help, three days ago he was diagnosed with Lymph Node Cancer. The cancer was caught early so his prognoses is good, but I can't afford the treatment he so desperately needs. Please consider helping Jack beat this challenge.
Organizer
Matthew Bettis
Organizer
Truro, MA
