"I worked in the Air Force Mortuary Affairs for nearly six years. After repeatedly dealing with death and dismay I was diagnosed with PTSD. I knew I needed help, my wife and kids told me I needed help, but for years I ignored it. I became really good at hiding my constant
uneasiness and flashbacks. Finally, I took the step to get help and my doctor helped me work through a lot of issues with no medication and, for a while, I thought I was cured. I got orders to Kirtland AFB in April 2010, and relished the fact that I had an opportunity to start again with no PTSD. Then in July the Emcore shooting  happened right outside my window at work. There I was again alone, scared, and all at once my visions, my turmoil, my fear of everything had returned and seemingly worse than before.

I couldn't breathe in crowded places, I would drive down the highway going 20 miles an hour convinced that my tire would blow out, I would space out at work and home losing hours of time - my worst fear was becoming reality. One
day at a base event I met Jim from Paws and Stripes, I was having a really bad day, as I avoided these types of events almost as a rule. But I had promised my daughter we would go. Jim looked at me shook my hand and told me that If I had any troops with PTSD or TBI to call him.  I started researching the organization and it became an obsession with me. Once I had all the facts, I presented the idea to my doctor at Kirtland AFB. He, too, had done extensive research on PTSD and service dogs and he agreed it would be a better path than drugs for my treatment. I then  approached my leadership and all along the way I found nothing but support. 
Paws and Stripes set up times to meet with the trainers, and have since provided everything I need to be successful on this journey. I can tell you this with conviction and passion in my heart,  Paws and Stripes™ is saving my life! 
Dallas is my two year old English Bulldog and she goes with me everywhere.  She helps me navigate with this terrible affliction. The best thing is through the help of Paws and Stripes, my doctor, and my commander, I have been approved to stay on Active Duty.  This means the world to me as I have served for the last 17 years and did not want to throw that away. During my battle with PTSD somewhere along the way I lost my faith. Well, good news, I'm starting to regain that, and I would like to tell Paws and Stripes something I haven't said in a long long time...God Bless You!"

"The Paws and Stripes Program means the world to me.  I had gotten so sick and tired of being told that a service dog to help with my PTSD and TBI would cost so much money - money that my wife and I did not have.  The venture of training my baby girl, Sarge, so far has been awesome.  Having Sarge with me every where I go has been better than any pill I had ever taken.  The doctors had me like a zombie, but now with Sarge by my side I finally feel normal.  Throughout our training together we have built such a bond.  She lets me know when something doesn't seem okay out in public.  It feels like I have got a soldier right by my side all the time watching out for me.  I am proud to say that I am a Veteran with a service dog."

"Thank you so much for accepting us into your family. We are so excited about this new beginning with [our dog] Taji. I knew eventually there would be a light at the end of the tunnel so thank you for opening the tunnel for us and we look forward to reaching the end of it. I know Ramon can start the healing process with your help of Paws and Stripes, and, of course, Taji. I know Ramon will be able to function in a normal state of mind with confidence and happiness and live a normal life again he so much deserves."

 

"Thank you for the new hope."

- Retired Sgt. Ramon Jaramillo,

United States Army