Laurie was paired with her Service Dog, Kash in 2019. This is her second Service Dog from Guardian Angels. She writes:
“I was the victim of a home invasion which caused me to suffer from PTSD. I got to the point where I would no longer leave my home by myself and barely got out of bed. In addition to the psychological issues I was dealing with, I also had a host of physical issues to include seizures and severe headaches. To say that I was not living any type of life would be a vast understatement.
In 2011, I was paired with a wonderful service dog named Twinkle from Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. After being paired with Twinkle, I began to slowly get back to myself. She and I began with baby steps by taking walks around our neighborhood and eventually moving on to more challenging things such as going shopping and doctors’ appointments. Things that most people take for granted were huge milestones for me.
Since then, I have managed so much – including traveling all over our wonderful country as well as attending my son’s high school and college graduations. In 2019, Twinkle had to retire, and I was paired with my second service dog, Kash, who continues to help me grow and maintain my independence. In 2020, I accomplished an even bigger milestone – I returned to work as a paralegal! If it weren’t for Twinkle, Kash and Guardian Angels, I would probably still be hiding in my room.”
Chris is a former first responder, who was paired with his Service Dog, Loc in March of 2018.
He writes: “I honestly don’t know what I would do without Loc and the kind and caring people at Guardian Angels in my life”.
Recipient Gary is a Veteran of the United States Navy.
Gary was paired with his Service Dog, Brooks in March of 2019. Gary says that Brooks is a great balance of energy and chill. She’s always on-point when we’re in public, and gives me a nose boop to wake me from nightmares.
Simon is a Veteran, paired with his Service Dog, Chewey in April of 2017.
Asked about Chewey, Simon stated: “Chewy is my best companion and he is always there to keep me grounded when I’m stressed. He’s helped me adjust back to normal life”.
Brian had a career full of danger. He served over 15 years in law enforcement, then worked for military contractors as a Designated Defensive Marksman and Sniper overseas, then, spent years serving on a human trafficking Taskforce. After all these years of service and sacrifice, Brian retired and finally began recognizing his heart issues, health issues and admitted to himself that he had PTSD. Brian says: “My thoughts were always focused on the past, instead of the future. I suffered with terrible nightmares, self-isolation, and RNT (repetitive negative thinking), re-living difficult days of my service.
I learned about Guardian Angels, and decided to apply. In January of 2022, I was paired with my best friend, Renegade. With Renegade, I can share stories that no one else can or will ever hear. He helps me tremendously. I had been pretty much completely isolated until receiving Renegade. Now, we to the hardware & grocery stores, we even travelled to Colorado to visit family! – Something that without him, I would never have done. Because of Renegade’s alerts, my night terrors have been reduced from nightly to maybe two or three per week. Because of Renegade, I’m living a “New Normal”.
I researched several Medical Service Dog (MSD) organizations before applying to Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. I was immediately impressed with the level of personal care I received to all my questions during the process, and the world class level of documented, repeatable training this agency’s medical service dogs receive, especially when compared to others.
I was pared with my medical service dog, Ammo in 2015. I can’t praise Guardian Angels enough for the after-pairing care they give their clients. They deeply care that the pairing is the right fit for both client & Service Dog, and always give immediate response & help with any questions or situations that I have had.
They make you feel a part of the Guardian Angels family, not just a client. I recommend them highly every time I am asked about them while in public with my dog and have received compliments on how well my service dog is trained v. other MSD’s the person has had visit their establishments. Having a medical service dog from Guardian Angels has improved my quality of life in so many ways. I am confident that not only do I have an amazing teammate in my service dog, Ammo, but with the entire Guardian Angels team!
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.”
