Help James Get Ready For His New Service Dog!

Hello Friends, Family, & Strangers!

I’m Zaque Harig and I’m planning a surprise for my friend James.

Like me, he’s a combat veteran who struggles with PTSD and next month, he’s also FINALLY getting a service dog! (His name is Bristol!) He’s so excited. Really, he can’t believe it’s finally happening. BUT, he’s also really nervous about how he’s going to pay for everything his dog will need. That’s why I’m asking for your help.

James is a retired Army Staff Sergeant who deployed five times as a combat medic. We met three years ago in a VA PTSD treatment program and our friendship was immediate.

By then, I’d had my own service dog Freedom for about a year and a half. Then and now, then impact he’s had on my life is enormous. I went from being pretty much housebound with constant nightmares, hyper vigilance, and crippling anxiety to where I am today. I’m still working on myself, but proud to be a few months away from finishing film school.

James went from being a friend, to a roommate, and now he’s like a brother to me. We are sure that the bond I have with Freedom, is what James desperately needs with Bristol.

An amazing organization called Canine Guardians based in Napa, California made my transformation possible and NEXT MONTH, they are flying with Bristol out to us here in Chicago to change yet another veteran’s life.

After living with Freedom for just over four years, I made a list of what I know James will want and need to give Bristol the best care possible. Just like a baby shower, we want to hook him up with this list of items. AND I’m asking that we go even further by taking care of his dog’s basic expenses for their first year together. Money is pretty tight for him right now as I’m sure it is for many of you. I just don’t want anything holding him back from taking his life to the next level.

He’s talked about becoming a social worker or even re-entering the medical field. He’s got a heart of molten gold, which beats with love and empathy for the suffering world around him. As they aren’t my stories to tell, I won’t detail the countless acts of his heroism from war, but be assured, there are many.

This guy is my friend, my brother, and my hero so I have no hesitation in asking. If you can contribute anything to this campaign, it would mean so much to me and to him.

Any amount we raise over the campaign goal will be donated to Canine Guardians to continue their noble mission of helping veterans to recover from the wounds of war. Let my life be a testament, they change lives.

Finally, if any of you want to write James a letter or have me print out an email with some words of encouragement, gratitude, and especially a piece of your own story, that would be so meaningful.

Thank you so much!

-Zaque

Crucial Items:

$10 - Food Bowl

$15 - Water Bowl

$15 - Collar

$20 – Leash

$30 – Collapsible Water/Food bowls

$35 - Food Bin

$50 - Dog Bed

$75 - Toys

$50 – Rubber Pawz Dog Boots

$60 – Nail Grinder

$75 - Winter Coat

$80 - Custom Service Dog Vest

One year of supplies:

$20 – Dog Shampoo

$20 – Poop Bags

$150 – Dental Bones

$200 – Treats

$445 – Dog Food

$750 – Vet Visits/Shots/Meds

Total: $2,100

*The cost estimates are based on a combination of Amazon Prime prices and where applicable, the average Etsy prices.