John and Sunny
How has your life changed since receiving your service dog?
I would say the biggest way Sunny has changed my life is that she has helped me regain my freedom.
What is one thing you are able to do now that you couldn’t before receiving your dog?
Going to new places, without anxiety. Being in crowds used to both me to the point that I would either not even attempt to go, and if I did go I was not mentally present in the situation. Sunny has changed that by allowing me to be present physically and mentally.
Describe your daily life with your service dog?
Happy, free and present is what my daily life with Sunny is now. She has brought back the part of me that I didn’t realize was missing. I have a buddy with me at all time and she has my back just as much as I have her back.
What effect has your service dog had on the relationships in your life?
I think it’s allowed me to be more open with people, sharing my story now when I would not even broch the subject in the past. She has taught me patience when before I didn’t have any. She brings a calm to me that has transferred into how I interact with others, and how I can show empathy towards other.
What is one thing you would tell a fellow veteran that was considering a service dog?
STOP WAITING AND DO IT. A service do will give you a new normal, a normal that you didn’t know you were missing until you get your service dog.