I dedicated a span of six years to active military service, commencing at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and concluding at Fort Lewis, Washington. My deployments included a tour of duty in Iraq from 2009 to 2010, and subsequently, I served in Afghanistan in 2012, during which I incurred injuries in combat from route clearance operations, resulting in the award of two Purple Hearts.
Post service, I now struggle with the profound effects of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and persistent back pain on a daily basis. I firmly believe that the introduction of a service dog into my life would serve as a crucial intervention, mitigating the impact of triggers in public spaces. Such a companion would significantly enhance my ability to engage more frequently in social activities outside the confines of my residence, fostering a greater openness to participating in public environments.