Shay & JiJi
I served 21 years as an Intelligence Analyst in the US Air Force, retiring in 2017. As many enlisted members, I was a "Go-To" Airman, a problem-solver, which exposed me to a wide range of situations, good and bad. The bad things were compartmentalized to carry on with the mission. After I retired, my "compartments" began to break down, and I struggled with the things that I couldn't process in real-time. Post-retirement, I was still the "Go-To" for my family but was now without a battle buddy as I had always had while on Active Duty. After years of therapy and medication management, I was still struggling with isolation, anxiety, depression, and PTSD that impacted my ability to even want to leave my house.
Then I found Soldier's Best Friend and JiJi. In 11 months, this program helped me create a battle buddy that is with me 24/7 and understands what I need even when I can't say it. For the first time in years, I made an impulsive stop at Walmart to pick things up instead of coordinating a food delivery because I have anxiety about going into grocery stores. I'm even considering going back to work in-person because JiJi can go with me. These may sound like small wins, but they have changed my life, and I couldn't have done it without this program. I would be negligent if I did not mention my trainer Julie, who is phenomenal. Her training techniques were tailored to my needs, and she ensured I was on track to meet my goals. The entire staff was supportive and consistent from admin to evaluators, a stellar team. I am proud to be a SBF alumni and forever family.
