In 2019, severe trauma from my past caught up with me. PTSD, dissociative amnesia, anxiety, and depression took hold, making each day feel like a battle. The confusion from dissociative amnesia and the overwhelming flood of painful memories left me isolated and lost. I struggled to connect with the world around me, constantly on edge from the effects of PTSD.

While I’ll never pretend to fully understand the unique struggles of veterans, I deeply relate to the emotional toll of trauma. The isolation, fear, and disconnection that trauma causes are familiar to me, and it’s from this shared understanding that Service Dog Nation was born.

In 2021, I adopted Finn, and everything changed. Finn became my lifeline—my anchor. He helped me navigate the overwhelming chaos of my mind, providing me with safety and grounding when I needed it most. With Finn by my side, I started to heal and reclaim my confidence.

This experience ignited a passion to help others. Service Dog Nation is in its startup phase, with the ultimate goal of connecting veterans with life-changing service dogs. Our mission is to provide veterans with the support they need by pairing them with skilled service dogs, many of which come from rescue shelters. By doing this, we not only help veterans regain their independence but also give rescue dogs a second chance at life.

Through Service Dog Nation, I’m committed to offering the same healing I found with Finn, but on a larger scale. The journey from trauma to healing is not one that should be faced alone, and no veteran should have to walk that path without the support they deserve.

IGY6: A Nation That Has Your Back.