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You Helped Save The Life Of This Veteran And His Service Dog

Written by: Molly Weinfurter
Molly Weinfurter is a writer for iHeartDogs, and she’s passionate about helping animals in need. She volunteers for Bailing Out Benji and a local dog rescue.Read more
| Published on February 27, 2020

When you purchase items from the iHeartDogs store, a portion of that profit is donated to GreaterGood. GreaterGood is an incredible organization that supports charities that help dogs in need. Thanks to amazing customers like you, many dogs and even some people get a second chance at life. Adam and Molly are proof of that.

Adam was a combat soldier in the Air Force, but after he medically retired, he found it extremely difficult to live an everyday life. The memories he had continually haunted him, which caused him to have panic attacks. His friends and family could see his PTSD worsening over time as he struggled to be present in his life. His PTSD eventually got so bad that he considered putting an end to it all.

“I planned to say goodnight to my kids, go out to the shed, and lights out,” Adam recalled.

Luckily, he had friends who understood what he was going through. They helped protect him from suicide because they knew he had hope of getting better. If his friend hadn’t stopped him from ending his life, he never would’ve found K9s for Warriors, an organization that changed his life for the better.

K9s for Warriors pairs rescued service dogs with veterans in need. So, Adam applied and was accepted. Knowing that he would have a service dog in the future suddenly gave him hope. When he arrived on campus, he met a Golden Retriever mix named Molly who was rescued from a shelter. Right away, he knew she was the perfect dog for him.

“I cried. It was a sense of joy and relief, like ‘Oh my God, this is my partner now,’” said Adam.

When Adam returned home with Molly, his loved ones began to see significant changes right away. With Molly by his side, he felt like he could really be who he was before the war. Before, Adam avoided any situations that involved crowds of people, but with Molly, he felt comfortable enough to attend the events that he would’ve missed otherwise. If he feels anxious, all he has to do is rub Molly’s ears. He says her ears are the softest things in the world.

Slowly, Adam is returned to a happier, more normal life with his family. He’s been able to attend his children’s school functions and some community events. Everything feels better with Molly by his side. She truly saved his life, and he saved her life too!

“She’s been not only a part of my healing, but she’s been a part of my growth,” said Adam. “I can’t imagine my life without her.”

Thanks to purchases from the iHeartDogs store, dogs like Molly are able to be rescued and trained to help veterans like Adam. Both Molly and Adam got a second chance at life due to these amazing donations. iHeartDogs sells a variety of exciting products for both you and your furry friend, and every purchase makes a difference. Thank you to everyone who has bought products to help dogs like Molly and people like Adam!

Images from K9s for Warriors

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