My husband Justin is a United States Marine Corps veteran. After his service, life didn’t just return to normal the way many people assume it does for veterans. PTSD has affected nearly every part of Justin’s life. He deals with frequent anxiety, hypervigilance, and nightmares related to his experiences in the service. Crowded places and unexpected noises can trigger his PTSD, and he has many sleepless nights because of the nightmares. For a long time, Justin tried to cope by self-medicating with drugs, but he never truly addressed his PTSD.

Recently, Justin took a huge leap forward and entered Warriors Heart, a recovery facility dedicated to helping veterans like him. While he’s learning about his triggers and healthier ways to manage his PTSD, he’s been given the opportunity to adopt and train his own service dog. This is a life-changing chance for Justin. Service dogs are trained to assist veterans with PTSD in ways that directly address many of the symptoms they experience daily. A service dog will help Justin find grounding during anxiety attacks or flashbacks, wake him from nightmares, create space and help him feel safe in crowded public areas, and recognize rising anxiety before it gets out of control.

The funds raised will cover the cost for Justin to adopt his service dog and receive the training they both need while he’s in treatment. As many of you know, Justin has suffered from PTSD and addiction for a long time and is now taking steps to lead a healthier life. My family and I greatly appreciate all of the support during this time!