K9 Companions: A Lifeline for Veterans

Hello, my name is Chris, I am a veteran who served in the United States Army for a little over 8 years as a 13B (cannon crew-member). The military has sent me all around the world, including Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Kuwait and Afghanistan. The military does a great job of sending you to all types of places and allows you to make life long friends but they also do a good job of taking that all away once you leave the military bubble.

Many (to include myself) have struggled mentally and physically to adapt after leaving the military bubble. From being on high alert, moving at 100 miles and hour, never catching a break to my biggest worry now being what I should make for dinner. The sudden change of pace has left a void that is difficult to explain to those who don’t have the same background.

When my wife and I rescued our dog he quickly became my best friend, it changed my life forever. I was forced to get off the couch in order to train, socialize, exercise and play with our dog. He gave me a reason to be outside, he gave me a reason to start running and become healthier and stronger. Walking to dog parks has given me the luxury to meet many veterans which turned into us talking about the army life and all the experiences that came with it which is something I did not know I needed.

K9s for Warriors is a non-profit organization that matches highly trained service dogs to military veterans, allowing our veterans to start living a full life again. My goal is to raise money for this charity so that veterans can experience what I have with my best friend. Getting out there and enjoying life isn’t easy but what makes it easier is having a battle buddy walking with you every step of the way. They deserve a chance to enjoy life just as I have.