I served as a Navy Corpsman for 20 years. I was witness to many horrific injuries and events. As an ambulance crew member and later an ER Supervisor, trauma was an everyday event. Being a woman veteran, I also experienced sexual discrimination and sexual assault.
All this combined resulted in PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I had become a hermit and withdrew from life. I could no longer function outside my home. Guardian Angels helped me start living again rather than just existing. When I met my dog Patton, I immediately felt less anxious and overwhelmed. He calms me, alerts me when my blood sugar is too high or too low, and has even alerted when I was having a stroke. Guardian Angels is not only a helpful organization…it is a lifesaving one. I’m not sure if I would be here today, if not for Guardian Angels!
Since having Cleo, we leave the mountain on an almost daily basis. Everyday we seem to find a place to go. I talk to people more than I ever have! Everyone compliments Cleo.”
Until you live it, you don’t know what these dogs can do! Since having Tilly, I’ve been everywhere and it’s amazing what I can do now!
Jonathan served in the Army for eleven years, with one deployment to Iraq, and three deployments to Afghanistan. He says: “After leaving the Army, I found myself having trouble finding employment, frequently waking from night terrors, becoming very dependent on others, and self-isolating.
In July of 2020, I was paired with my medical service dog, Char. Since then, life has changed in many ways. Char alerts to my nightmares, which helps both me and my wife get a better night’s sleep.
During the day, Char alerts me to periods of syncope, as well as my mental health symptoms.
In the two years having Char life has transformed. I’ve completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees and am now working as an Outpatient therapist. I received my first “real job” not long after getting Char.”
