Posts tagged veteran

Kevin and Chase were paired up just two short months ago, but quickly established a forever partnership. Chase was rescued from the Arizona Humane Society as Nugget. Kevin and his family spent their New Year back east being awarded a new home from Chase bank. He changed Nugget’s name to Chase as a tribute to the generous contribution they made to him and his family. Kevin was active USMC for four years. He did tours in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During the time when he served he was assigned to 0311 Infantry. Kevin knew Chase with the right dog shortly after bringing him home. He said, “He makes me feel better when I am around him,” and that was before training even started. Although Chase is dedicated to Kevin and being his service dog he is also a member of the family. Kevin told us he is so obedient and gentle that his two year old can already command him to sit, down and stay. Training with Soldier’s Best Friend has been going very well for this pairing and they are excited about graduating and getting Chases’ service dog vest in the near future.

Kevin and Chase were paired up just two short months ago, but quickly established a forever partnership. Chase was rescued from the Arizona Humane Society as Nugget.

Kevin and his family spent their New Year back east being awarded a new home from Chase bank. He changed Nugget’s name to Chase as a tribute to the generous contribution they made to him and his family.

Kevin was active USMC for four years. He did tours in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During the time when he served he was assigned to 0311 Infantry.

Kevin knew Chase with the right dog shortly after bringing him home. He said, “He makes me feel better when I am around him,” and that was before training even started.

Although Chase is dedicated to Kevin and being his service dog he is also a member of the family. Kevin told us he is so obedient and gentle that his two year old can already command him to sit, down and stay.

Training with Soldier’s Best Friend has been going very well for this pairing and they are excited about graduating and getting Chases’ service dog vest in the near future.

Posted 2 weeks ago

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A Veteran’s Story

My name is Sgt. Mark Heimkes, U.S. Army Retired. My last tour of duty was in Iraq during 2009. Upon arriving home, I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). For the first couple years upon returning home I was mainly a recluse. I was unwilling to venture out unless I went with my wife, which was challenging since she traveled for work every week. I contacted a great organization named Soldiers Best Friend (SBF) about a service dog. It appeared they were having great success with pairing dogs and vets with PTSD. They recused a German Shepherd from the Arizona Humane Society and provided me the dog and training to meet my needs as my service dog.

I cannot say enough about what having Logan my service dog has done for me. Now I go out daily and actually will go to multiple places to shop. I even went to a shopping mall for the first time in over 5 years. Logan, besides being a great companion is a wonderful service dog. He provides the buffer I need from allowing people to get to close as well as watching my backside when I am in a room with many people.

Logan and I are on the go traveling the country together. Some of our adventures include: exploring Arizona on a weekend getaway, seeing my grandchildren in Missouri, visiting our Minnesota vacation home, enjoying the ocean in Daytona Beach, Florida, getting lucky in fabulous Las Vegas, and visiting friends in Denver, Colorado. Our future plans include a Hawaiian vacation and Alaskan cruise this fall, and if all goes as planned, cruising down the road this summer in our new motorhome.

So if you are out and about and happen to see us, say “Hi!” Logan and I are enjoying our freedom at last. Oh, and keep an eye out in the near future for Logan’s new children’s book, My Life as a Service Dog.

Posted 3 weeks ago

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Breeze meets a warrior and his child. Arguably one of the sweetest moments to date captured on our Warrior Canine Connection Puppy Cam, by Debby Klugh.

Breeze meets a warrior and his child.

Arguably one of the sweetest moments to date captured on our Warrior Canine Connection Puppy Cam, by Debby Klugh.

Posted 1 month ago

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Upon return from deployment, Simonsen was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and mild Traumatic Brain Injury. His Paws for Purple Hearts dog Yoko has been a vital part of his recovery.

Upon return from deployment, Simonsen was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and mild Traumatic Brain Injury. His Paws for Purple Hearts dog Yoko has been a vital part of his recovery.

Posted 5 months ago

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Lookout patrol at Bergin University of Canine Studies.

Lookout patrol at Bergin University of Canine Studies.

Posted 5 months ago

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