Service dog for Combat Vet
Donation protected
Please read my story...My name is Joshua Lynch and I was in the Army for 6 years. During my enlistment, I was deployed twice to Iraq, spending almost two years there. My goal is to raise money to help pay for a service dog to help me retake my life back. I've seen first hand from fellow veterans how a service dog dramatically lowers PTSD symptoms.
Well here goes.. I was medically discharged from the Army in 2008 for PTSD and some trouble walking. I'm a 100% service connected combat veteran. Basically that means, my PTSD symtoms and trouble walking are so severe that I can't work, can't socialize, or just can't enjoy simple things anymore.
I continue to severely struggle with daily life, very often never leaving my house. After seven years of treatment and therapy, I'm still unable to do most "normal" activities.
I'm blessed to have a wonderful supporting family and doctors at the VA. My long-time therapist that has been working with me on my PTSD, recommended that I look into getting a PTSD service dog. The companionship from service dogs has given Life back to many service members.
Unfortunately, at this time the VA does not pay for service dogs. The dogs are trained extensively and cost around $10,000. After doing some research and reaching out to some groups that connect service dogs with combat veterans,I was able to find a local trainer that would help significantly reduce the cost.
It's taken me over a year to just get the guts to ask people for help. I've never been one to ask for handouts, but a future where I can spend more time with my family outside the house has motivated me. Obviously I hope to reach my goal, but if I do happen to surpass what's needed for my service dog, I'll donate the remainder to support other veterans going through the same thing. Thank you so much for reading my story, you have no idea how hard it was to ask for help.
*Some people have said they were confused so I'll elaborate. I have reached out to 9 service dog agencies, and they all have extremely long wait times and/or outrageous prices. So I adopted a puppy a couple weeks ago and I'm having it trained locally. Unfortunately, the training is extensive and expensive. After a year of weighing the options I found this was the fastest and cheapest way for me to get a service dog.
Well here goes.. I was medically discharged from the Army in 2008 for PTSD and some trouble walking. I'm a 100% service connected combat veteran. Basically that means, my PTSD symtoms and trouble walking are so severe that I can't work, can't socialize, or just can't enjoy simple things anymore.
I continue to severely struggle with daily life, very often never leaving my house. After seven years of treatment and therapy, I'm still unable to do most "normal" activities.
I'm blessed to have a wonderful supporting family and doctors at the VA. My long-time therapist that has been working with me on my PTSD, recommended that I look into getting a PTSD service dog. The companionship from service dogs has given Life back to many service members.
Unfortunately, at this time the VA does not pay for service dogs. The dogs are trained extensively and cost around $10,000. After doing some research and reaching out to some groups that connect service dogs with combat veterans,I was able to find a local trainer that would help significantly reduce the cost.
It's taken me over a year to just get the guts to ask people for help. I've never been one to ask for handouts, but a future where I can spend more time with my family outside the house has motivated me. Obviously I hope to reach my goal, but if I do happen to surpass what's needed for my service dog, I'll donate the remainder to support other veterans going through the same thing. Thank you so much for reading my story, you have no idea how hard it was to ask for help.
*Some people have said they were confused so I'll elaborate. I have reached out to 9 service dog agencies, and they all have extremely long wait times and/or outrageous prices. So I adopted a puppy a couple weeks ago and I'm having it trained locally. Unfortunately, the training is extensive and expensive. After a year of weighing the options I found this was the fastest and cheapest way for me to get a service dog.
Organizer
Joshua Lynch
Organizer
Grain Valley, MO
