Dan and Bailey

I served in Vietnam from 8/70 -8/71 and returned to an ungrateful society and the burdens and memories that come with the experience. I lived for years in silence, coping with the help, love and understanding of my beautiful wife Cathy for now 53 years. Together she helped me develop some self-coping mechanisms and would give me peace at night whenever I was having a bad dream I’m one of those veterans who was killed in Vietnam, but I just haven’t died yet.  I brought the war home with me and go back there daily in my thoughts. It got so bad that I nearly injured myself and my wife, so I reached out to the local VA Hospital for help. I spent two and half years in therapy and was released to a service dog training organization for ongoing support. My diagnosis was of course, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD), of several organizations to select from, I settled upon Vet To Vets because I had heard Dr Terry Morris speak a few weeks before at one of my wife’s civic organizations.

There was a long waiting list, so Dr. Terry got me started with the rescue pup selection. One requirement of the program is that you dog must be a rescue. The mission of the organization is to save the life of a dog, and improve the life of a veteran, one pup/veteran team at a time.

We found the sweetest perfect little female beagle/boxer mix named Bailey, through the Carolina Boxer Rescue organization. Once Bailey and I were paired together, we began the two year training program with Vets To Vets. Everything we needed to succeed was provided at no fee to the veteran. The VA did not provide anything in means of financial assistance; Vet  To Vets covered everything…..food, supplies, training, medical care….everything. It is estimated that such programs can run around $10,000.00 per year, so in total $20,000.00 for this two year program. It is a very intense two year program and once you graduate you are certified as both a Service Team as well as a Therapy Team.

Bailey and I graduated from the Vets to Vets program several years ago. I can honestly say that were it not for this program I doubt I would be here writing you you today. This is a much needed and vital service that is helping veterans every day. My wish would be that Vets to Vets could find a wealthy underwriter to allow it to build and expand its program. There are just not enough caring Veterinarians to provide free services to the dogs or enough caring professional trainers to donate their time to help teach each individual team. Training facilities are also being donated as well; but to insure a strong future for this program there must be wiling support from many others to keep this dream alive for folks like me and Bailey.