A Service Dog Can Change A Life

The family of Mike Allen and I would like to start a foundation to keep his name moving on and save as many lives as possible. We want to bring awareness for suicide prevention thru service dogs and free adoption by the local shelter. We are supporting veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD and depression. I am trying to raise money to honor my hero, Michael Thomas Allen. Mike has changed my life forever. After two deployments I destroyed everything in my path. I felt like my back was against the wall with no way out. I was considering suicide. Four years ago when I got the news that my dear friend Mike, also a Navy veteran, took his own life it was a wake-up call for me. I decided I had to get help before I snapped and took my own life. I know I would not be here today if it were not for Mike. I have had tremendous guilt over this. Recently I got in touch with his family. It was a special day when I got to speak with his mother and sister and tell them how Mike saved my life. That conversation took years of guilt off my back. I told them that my dream was to one day start a foundation in Mike’s honor. I was expecting years down the road, but the future became the present. I feel God has a plan here. I have never seen something come together the way this has. We would like to help with suicide awareness and prevention. We would like to use service dogs to change the lives of veterans and first responders for the better. If they do not need a service dog but would simply like the companionship of a dog, we would like to provide for free adoption at a local shelter. Two years ago I received my service dog through Service Dogs for Patriots. My service dog has been the best medicine for me. Any donations will go towards start-up costs for a 501(3)(c) nonprofit allocation, lawyer support, and website development. Any money not used will be given to Service Dogs for Patriots. This organization trains shelter dogs as service dogs for veterans with PTSD. All donations are greatly appreciated to start the Michael Thomas Allen Foundation (MTA Foundation) Thank you!!