A New Leash On Life

Shari Duval was desperate to help her son Brett when he returned from Iraq, suffering from PTSD. She heard a story about a service dog helping a veteran and it sparked an idea. That idea, to start a service dog agency for veterans, gave Brett hope. The two formed K9s for Warriors, which pairs veterans with service dogs, many of whom are rescued from shelters. This is their story.

Shilo Schluterman suffered from PTSD after returning from two overseas deployments with the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard. She was paired with her service dog, Javelin, through K-9s for Warriors after therapy and medication didn't ease her anxiety and panic attacks. Javelin has helped mitigate the symptoms of PTSD that made routine tasks impossible for Shilo.

Adam LeGrand was a combat medic in the U.S. Air Force. When he came home, he couldn't shut out the nightmares and he struggled with traumatic memories. Things got so bad, he planned to end his own life. K9s for Warriors paired him with Molly (who has the coolest beard in the world). She helped Adam navigate his life again and get back to being a contributing member of society.

Louis Belloumini served as a captain in the U.S. Army for nine years. After coming home, a flashback caused Louis to lose control of his car and drive off the road. He was unsure if he would make it to 35, if the life he and his wife Jessica envisioned would come to be. The addition of Star relieved the Belluomini family of a great deal of the stress and hyper-vigilance they had been living under.

When Brett Simon returned from serving in Iraq, his mom, Shari Duval, knew something wasn't right. He distanced himself from everyone, began drinking and was eventually diagnosed with PTSD. Shari was determined to help. She read a story about a service dog that helped another vet, and it gave her an idea. Shari and Brett then started K9s for Warriors, which gave Brett a new purpose and hope.

Shari Duval was desperate to help her son Brett when he returned from Iraq, suffering from PTSD. She heard a story about a service dog helping a veteran and it sparked an idea. That idea, to start a service dog agency for veterans, gave Brett hope. Go behind the scenes with us to see the process of how dogs are rescued from shelters and trained to become service dogs for veterans suffering PTSD.

Shari Duval was desperate to help her son Brett when he returned from Iraq, suffering from PTSD. She heard a story about a service dog helping a veteran and it sparked an idea. That idea, to start a service dog agency for veterans, gave Brett hope. The two formed K9s for Warriors, which pairs veterans with service dogs, many of whom are rescued from shelters. This is their story.