The picture you see is Sylbi.  She was a highly trained service dog that became part of our family.  She saved our son's life.
Our son, Brian,  was a Pediatric Trauma Nurse.  He was the nurse that cared for severely injured or terminal children at a major hospital.   He cared for children who were abused, attacked by dogs, accident victims, and many other tragic situations.  He saw children die on a regular basis. 
As a result of his nursing and prior head trauma injuries, he developed PTSD.  PTSD is not talked about much in the medical profession.  You are just expected to "handle it."  As a result, Brian sought counseling and was diagnosed with severe PTSD.  He had recurring nightmares, day-time flash backs, and panic attacks.  He would see dying children in his dreams and heart-broken parents.  Sometimes he would even see his own children in the faces of the dying.
Brian was unable to sleep, experienced panic attacks, and flash backs.  As a result he lost enough sleep to give him a case of life threatening pneumonia accompanied by chronic pain and exhaustion.
Shortly, thereafter, Brian was put on a list for a specialty service dog that would help interrupt the dreams and flashbacks and allow him to sleep and recover.  After a lot of prayer, he received his dog, Sylbi.  Her presence changed the course of his life.
For 9 years Sylbi stood watch over Brian at night, nudging and waking him if needed to interrupt the night terrors.  She accompanied him to his office during the day to help relieve his anxiety and alert him to daytime flashbacks.
Sadly, Sylbi died this past March and her loss has been extremely difficult for Brian.  Now Brian needs another dog and unfortunately the waiting list for service dogs has increased as a result of PTSD victims of war.  The funding is low and the cost for a well-trained dog is very high.  Service dogs plus training cost anywhere from 20k - 50k.
Brian's dog will enable him to continue in his career as a Chiropractor and help heal others who are hurting. 

Brian has also started a 501 (c) 3 charity called K9 Heroes to help others fund service dogs.  You can donate to this charity to help other medical, professional, or military people to be able to afford life saving service dogs.

This Go Fund Me page is for Brian's service dog.  Any extra funds that may be raised by this page will go directly to K9 Heroes to help others.  (Their web page will be up soon.)

Any donation you can give for Brian's dog is greatly appreciated.  We have seen Brian go thru incredible suffering with PTSD and want to see him continue to heal.

Thank you for your caring assistance.

Gary E. Holdeman, Brian's Father