Being part of the Navy is one of the most passionate ways to give back to the country. But you cannot deny the fact that returning home after service can be stressful and unsettling.
On Veteran’s Day last year, a Navy veteran named Damian decided to work to bring peace and support to his fellow veterans through dogs.
A remedy to the war flashbacks
Back in 2001, Damian decided to serve the country in the Navy after the September 11 attacks. He spent 14 years with the Navy as an explosive disposal technician and had been to three deployments to Afghanistan.
However, given that he had worked as a serviceman, Damian developed depression, PTSD, and even a traumatic brain injury. But while he was attending Columbia University in 2018, he decided to get a service dog named Shai. The duo formed a strong band quickly. When Damian met Shai, the dog put his paw on him and his forehead on his forehead.
For the next few weeks, Damian and Shai trained together, with Shai practicing commands. The dog helped Damian cope with his PTSD symptoms, even encouraging his human to go outdoors and reconnect with nature.
Before Damian had Shai in his life, he just stayed in the apartment away from people. Damian said that the dog’s stillness and quiet helped him stay calm.
A dedication to helping his fellow veterans
After graduating from Columbia last year, Damian accepted a post at K9s for Warriors as a trainer. There, he spent his days helping his fellow veterans find and experience healing through forging a relationship with dogs.
Damian said that dogs heal, and it was great to see how trainers transformed dogs and to see the start of their journey. He said that there was something special about their stories and what these dogs would do to give their everything to their humans.
Video Source: The Petco Foundation via YouTube