Vets and Dogs
Scott and Tonks
Thomas and Rema
Paul and Cora
Larry and Dodger
Frank and Scout
Terry and Koda
Carlton and Vulcan
Andrew and Molly
Chris & Arya
Greg and Akira
Jason and Jessie
Jason and Temperance
Maverick has been a blessing for me. We bonded in about 10 minutes and he stayed by my side no matter where I went. Maverick helps me stay centered. He knows when I am anxious and/or depressed. He wakes me up when I have nightmares. I don’t know where I would be without him.
Mike and MaverickMike and Bailey
Tony and Turtle
Jim and Bear
Jonel and Moxie
Rodney and Dude
Fred and Kuma
George and Shadow
William and Lily
Mike and Brandy
Kurt and Moab
Tommy and Kellie
Fred and Zoe
Sean and Aria
Ken and Puff
Justin and Kora
Luis & Stella
Joshua and Max
When I first contemplated the idea of having a service dog I felt skeptical, but I knew that I had to do something more about how I was feeling. Apart from medications and therapy, I felt like I was needing something more. I realized that I wanted companionship. When I met Aldo for the first time I knew at that moment that my initial thoughts on having a service dog had changed. When training began, it was no easy task however I was determined to work the program and follow my trainer’s (Karin) instructions and recommendations. On many occasions, Aldo could feel I was feeling stressed and would come up to my side, lick my hands and would not leave me alone. Even on the days I just wanted to be left alone he was always there by my side. Aldo quickly became more than just a service dog, he became part of me and now I can’t imagine not having him by my side.
Gil and AldoJeremy and Cyrus
Earl and Triton
Dennis and Holly
Guillermo and Apache
Shannon and MaeMae
Adam and Milly
Phil and Vader
Christopher and Leo
Soldier’s Best Friend has given me an awesome bond with my dog, Angel, and an awesome friend! She has given me the ability to get out more with her here for comfort or help. Thank you Soldier’s Best Friend.
Zachary and AngelStuart and Bentley
Frances and Johnny Cash
Prior to SBF, I was floundering in circles looking for a service dog program geared toward veterans. My local VA mental health provider suggested a service dog would help me copy with military PTSD and related issues. She even wrote me a letter (prescription) sending me out in the community in search of a service dog. I met with local civilian dog trainers who suggested I rescue a dog of my choosing and train the dog myself with the help of their services, but their services were too expensive. I did rescue Pacer for companionship and saw a huge difference in my own posture towards life. After a year of failed attempts and choosing the wrong training equipment, I finally was referred to SBF by a fellow veteran at my local VA. This fellow veteran had gone through the SBF program. Once I met with SBF and my rescue dog Pacer passed their initial screening, we begin training the following week. Pacer and I grew together during the several months of training and both of us were happy learning and bonding as a team. SBF taught me to be a real dog handler and gave me the confidence to control Pacer in public venue's. I was once a troubled veteran who attempted suicide by a self-inflicted gunshot under my chin and I miraculously survived. My relationship with Pacer has given me the feeling of love, companionship, security, and the enjoyment of life. I am blessed at a second chance of life and having SBF be part of rescuing Pacer & myself. There are two soles rescued during the SBF program.
Mark and PacerEric and Piglet
Richard and Khaleesi
Maximus has helped me get thru many days of anxiety and depression. If it wasn’t for SBF connecting Maximus and I together I don’t think I would have made it this far.
Spencer and MaximusMichael and Kylo
Jarrod and Konrad
Eric and Gunner
Terry and Roxy
Robert and Squeak
John and Ceasar
Jason and Smadge
Kyle and Ruger
Bella has allowed me to start exploring the world again with my family. Before Bella, my life was work and home. Now, while we still don’t go everywhere, we have started living life and enjoying going places again. My wife thanks you! My daughter thanks you, and I thank you for helping me get back to being myself.
Rustin and BellaJerry and Emma
Merle and Amber
Kevin and Tyson
Jeremiah and Darcy
Travis and Maddie
Ryan and Chaos
Rob and Charlie
Ned and Cleo
Jeffrey and Xena
Harry and Dutch
Gerry and Cheetah
Donald and Abby
Barry and Que
I would recommend Soldiers Best Friend to another Veteran. The trainers are extremely helpful and understanding. Having my dog be able to travel with me has helped me become more social and less isolated. I strongly feel that without my new furry best friend I would still be sitting at home. Thank you for helping me to feel like I did before my military service.
Veronica and Sadie MaeSean and Simone
The crew at “Soldiers Best Friend” are more than what I expected. After my deployment and being medically retired from the military, I dealt with things like many of the military do. It wasn’t until we had to put one of our K-9’s down that I realized that I needed a little more help. I rescued a 6 month old puppy from an animal shelter not expecting more than just a new friend, boy, was I wrong. About that same time a friend of mine told me about “Soldiers Best Friend” and we got involved. Entering this program with PTSD, TBI, Extreme Anxiety and a cervical spine injury, I was skeptical that there was anything these people could do for me. I mean, I have been dealing with the VA for some years now and they haven’t done diddly squat. I was emotionally numb; I avoided people, places and activities. My anger, fear, feeling of detachment, hypervigilance and self-destructive behavior was controlling everything and sleeping was out of the question. I still feel uneasy, jumpy and irritated at times but the intensity has decreased immensely. SBF has helped bring me out of a shell, with the love and companionship of my little man is better than any treatment at the VA. I sleep much better knowing my buddy has my back. I do not recall the last unruly nightmare I had. SBF is not just about me. It is about the two of us, giving us the tools to learn and function with the new norm. I have more independence since entering SBF. My emotions have peered out more often instead of keeping it all inside. SBF has helped me step out of my comfort zone and given me courage with my little man Sargent to initiate new situations. The crew at “Soldiers Best Friend” are my friends. God has blessed me and my family with these amazing group of Soldiers Friends.
Denise and SargentChristian and Bella
William and Moe
Damian and Bella
Garrett and Ruger
Tony and Recon
William and Loki
Del and Olivia
Patrick and Luffy
Elmer and Star
Joe and Cadence
John and Zeus
Tim and Josie
Murphy, my service dog, came into my life as an overweight excited hound. Before meeting him however I was constantly stressed and on alert. I didn’t sleep well and was heading towards being a somewhat recluse. Even though I would hike and camp, both of which allowed me to be alone or with my better half, Paula, we didn’t really go or do anything else. Restaurants were almost out of the question, and if the place had a crowd, forget it, we never got out of the vehicle nor went near it. Murphy changed all that. Being that I was at least active with hiking and such, Murphy and I would go out all the time together hiking. There he would lose the weight he needed to and we would bond like I’ve never bonded before. With that bond, Murphy has allowed me to look at crowds more like a challenge than an adversity. He would allow Paula and I to live normal and go out to restaurants, shopping when needed and meeting new people. Murphy did that. Yes, he is my Service Dog but along with that title, he holds the title of, best friend, companion, savior and family. He has saved me from my own destruction and continues to do so. Teaching me how to be able to function like a civilian in a world unknown to me.
Adam and MurphyDenae and Atari
Jason and Stelle
Garry and Cheyenne
Brian and Tru
Tony and Maximus
Jerry and Max
James and Moose
Phillip and Samson
Daniell and Simba
Eric and Bailey
Lee and Cisco
Madrid and Gunny
Neil and Maddox
Joy and Sierra
Joe and Toki
Bobby and Daisy
Stephanie and Ginger
Chris and Dante
Charles and Sundance
David and Caleb
Scott and Ted E. Bear
Marcus and Taji
Tony and Robin
John and Maddie
Jeffery and Keegan
Ken and Sebastian
John and Queenie
Paul and Aspen
Dave and Murphy
Eric and Chelsea
Vincent and Lili
Eric and Midnight
Robert and Ginger
Kelly and Hera
Lee and Amber
Kevin and Chase
Yvette and Blondie
John J. and Jax
Kenji and Ames
Leo and Achilles
Mike and Louie
Mark and Lucy
Jason and Duke
James and Jenny
Joseph and Bella
BreeAnna and Sophie
Yvonne and Maggie Mae
Albert and Cadence
Jerry and Cisco
Scott and Kelly
Scott and Lady
Mike and Nukka
Eddie and Nicholas
Eran and Dusty
Jonathan and Boots
Kurtis and Tyson
Rebecca and Dakota
Bryan and Elvira
Shaun and Randy
Kevin and Rusty
Paul and Samantha
Brian and Lucy
Jason and Ariel
“Before starting training I really never left my house without my wife. Once training started I found that I get out daily and actually enjoy myself. Having Taco with me makes me feel like my six is covered. Our relationship in general has grown as well. He is my best friend and I rarely leave home without him. Thank you SBF.” ~ Phillip and Taco
Phillip and TacoSGT
Wolffy and Koa
Jessica and Rosie
Peter and Bella
Rudy and Jack
Mark and Roxy
Kevin and Chief
Scott and Luna
Brandon and Molly
Pete and Harley
Carl and Six
Garry and Dakota
Joshua and Midnight
James and Toby
Bobby and Maya
Dan and Hercules
Andrew and Panchita
Colin and Vincimus
Josh and Artemis
Anthony and Cerberus
Robert and Beanie
John and Zoe
Lindsey and Jordan
Damien and Bella
Tracy and Bear
Tanya and Dakoda
Jon and Zurri
Sarah and Cooper
Nelson and Ruby
Jeff and Abe
Justin and Roxy
Shawn and Molly
Jim and Spirit
Terry and Sam
Joe and Geno
Stephen and Sophie
Tyler and April
Mike and Moses
James and Princess
Dean and Stone
Daniel and Leo
Eric and Blain
Troy and Louie
Randy and Buddy
Paul and Chief
Toni and Duke
Regina and Ava
Omar and Bella
Nate and Max
Angel and Rocky
Larry and Odie
Steve and Woody
Luke and Barley
Peter and Astrid
Chris and Buddy
Norm and Sundance
Michael and Aries
Oliver and Sunny
"Before this program I would avoid public places, especially during the day and only do shopping after midnight and before 6 a.m. And never alone. Because of this program with Soldier’s Best Friend, I have a battle buddy that will go anywhere with me. We have grown so much and now we are an effective team. She watches out for me and I watch out for her. Thank you all so much for letting me be a part of SBF." ~Mike & Patches
Mike and Patches“I just want to write you and let you know how this beautiful dog Hero changed my son’s life. My son Carlos before Hero was a very isolated soul, didn’t want to go out and talk to anyone. He was always depressed and sad. When we applied to this program and he was approved and got Hero, his life turned for the good, this wonderful dog got smiles from my son and he [Carlos] tells him [Hero] he loves him very much . . . When I look at my son’s eyes I’m starting to see a sparkle of life again. Carlos and Hero are buddies. There [are] no words to [describe] the happiness in my life to see that my son is coming around again and just because of this wonderful dog named Hero.” ~Mother of Carlos
Carlos and Hero"I was diagnosed with PTSD years ago, but my symptoms were minimal. Fast forward a few years and my symptoms increased. I was having flashbacks 5-6 times a day, taking medication, seeing a psychologist weekly and a psychiatrist monthly. Then I heard about Soldier’s Best Friend. I started training with my dog Axle and we progressed quickly through the program. I’m not sure how it happened, but my symptoms significantly decreased. My flashbacks reduced to 2-3 times a week. I am no longer on medication. My psychiatrist told me we no longer need to meet monthly, once every six months will suffice. Furthermore, I no longer see my psychologist on a regular schedule. I am so happy to have been a part of Soldier’s Best Friend and Axle truly is my best friend." Fred & Axle
Fred and Axle"My experience with Soldier’s Best Friend has been life changing. Coping with civilian life has become more manageable. I often imagine how simple life is for my buddy Wilfred... it keeps it all in perspective. When things get to be too much, my buddy is there. From the restless nights to the difficult situations, I have something that has been an elusive possibility.... I have hope again. I consider myself fortunate to have had this opportunity. Having this service animal has given me both an outlet for coping and restored much of my confidence. Thanks Soldier’s Best Friend and the generous donors who made this all possible." Ric and Wilfred
Ric and WilfredDavid and Geno
Jeremy and Chelsea
Chuck and Hayden
Mac and Cal
Enrique and Apollo
Jim and Lilly
Mark and Mia
James and Rocco
Gene and Harley
Sarah and Benny
Randy and Titan
Randy and Rocky
Dennis and Bella
Nick and Kenai
Samuel and Rosie
“Lopy has really helped me become more of myself. I leave the house more, I work with her, and I train with her. She brings me happiness. She wakes me up during nightmares. In public she really watches out for me and I do the same for her. I have her do a rear post almost all the time. She always lets me know if someone or thing is behind me. Lopy and I are a very good team. All the training thanks to SBF has been greatly appreciated!” ~ Tyloe and Lopy
Tyloe and LopyTim and Tiny
Sharyn and Bijou
Maxine and Dakota
“I have been in Soldier’s Best Friend for six months. Before I started the program I had severe depression and rarely left my house. Since I got Maddy my life has much more purpose and my depression has gone away. My PTSD symptoms are much less severe. I am also much more comfortable leaving my house. I highly recommend the program to other vets." ~Mike & Maddy
Mike and MaddyJoel and Kazu
Kyle and Ronnie
James and Storm
JP and Ella
Kuuleme and Hatchi
Mark and Logan
Jessica and Cabella
Aaron and Daisy
Bob and Daisy
Jason and Dirk
Kelly and Bentley
Tracy and Callie
Sean and Izzy
Jason and Lucky
Steve and Sasha
Todd and Lola
Sarah and Gunner
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