Archive for 'Current Recipients'

Michael and his service dog Honey

US Veteran and service dog recipient

Michael was in a very dark place in his life begging his wife and doctors to permanently end it for him. He is wheelchair bound and on oxygen 24/7. Other than doctor appointments, he had not been out of his house in several years. Days went by that he didn’t have the slightest desire to get dressed or even get out of bed. Due to the severity of his multiple disabilities, he felt he had no reason to live. He had lost all self worth after being reduced mentally by PTSD and physically by MS. Compounded by osteoporosis and a serious fall breaking several ribs, the doctors didn’t expect he would even recover.

But then he was introduced to a little angel – a Guardian Angel, and things began to change.

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BJ and her service dog Wilson

US Veteran and Service Dog Recipient

Contact Information

• Cell 352-210-1934
• BJ@InspiredArtsPhotography.com

BJ first came to us through her VA PTSD coordinator that had recommended that she come try us out to see if it would be something she could do outside of the house. She was so enamored with our facilities, training program and of course our dogs that she began to volunteer helping us out. This was the first place BJ had visited on her own in many years. Before long, we had BJ going on public outings with us and helping to raise puppies. BJ has been one of our valued volunteers for several months now and helps us with many projects. She was paired with a wonderful service dog named Wilson through the VA/PTSD program. Wilson, her service dog, is a huge Cuddle Bear that has made her new life possible by restoring her self confidence and independence. He manages her anxiety, wakes her from night terrors, reminds her when to take her medications, wakes her up when she stops breathing and plays gently with her miniature schnauzer. She is now talkative and outgoing with her restored dignity and since of self worth.

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Laurie & Twinkle

Service dog recipient

After surviving a brutal home invasion and the perpetrators never being caught, Laurie couldn’t go anywhere by herself again. She lived in constant fear, with constant pain and the constant threat of seizures. She said, “I huddled in the house with the security alarm on all the time. I was afraid to even go on the patio because this is where the intruders gained entry into my house. In addition, my family was extremely worried about my having a seizure, falling and hurting myself when I was home alone. My husband and son would have to drive me to all my doctor appointments.”

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Raymond and his service dog Dazzle

US Veteran and Service Dog Recipient

Ray had been a happy, friendly, and outgoing person all his life until combat related PTSD kicked in from his time in Vietnam. Some years after his retirement from the Army, he began having flashbacks and bouts of anxiety. Over the years, he had become increasingly withdrawn, anti-social, isolated, depressed and angry. He saw no real reason to even get out of bed and start his day. There were many times that he didn’t get out of bed at all. He felt that life held nothing of interest for him even after years of undergoing treatment at the VA.

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Pat and her service dog Dora

US Veteran and Service Dog Recipient

Pat was a victim of trauma and tragedy not unlike so many others. She is a very kind and caring person, but her heart and soul were in a very dark place when she came to us. She didn’t believe there was a happy future for her and was stuck in the memories of sadness and despair.

She said that “Before I received Dora, I hated to go out by myself. If I had to go out and my family or friends couldn’t go with me, I would make it a fast trip. If I went into a store, I would keep my head down to avoid any contact with people. Sometimes I would zone out. In a restaurant, I would read a book and eat really fast so I could get out of there. I always had trouble falling asleep and waking up. Some days I didn’t get out of bed at all.

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