Why service animals are a perfect match for veterans
SUMMARY
This article is sponsored by Nulo Pet Food.
The rigors of combat leave a lasting impact on many veterans who have proudly served. As painful as it is to admit, as a society, we've mostly left these troops to fend for themselves and find their own path in coping and healing.
No two roads to recovery are alike, but there's one method that's proven, time and time again, to be an effective way for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress to see through the haze — and that's adopting a support animal.
Whether it's an officially certified and properly trained service animal or just a pet that offers its unconditional love, it's been proven that animals can get veterans through their struggles.
NULO - SAVED
As many veterans who are accompanied by a support animal can tell you, a little nudge of love can make the biggest difference in the world. Such is the story of Andrew Einstein and his dog, Gunner.
And the two have been inseparable ever since.
(Nulo)
When he was deployed in August, 2011, a grenade went off near Andrew. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and lost the hearing on his right side. The road to recovery was long, lonely, and painful. Without adequate support, Andrew went through dark times. He reached his lowest point less than ten months after the injury, and intended to end his own life.
Thankfully, he made it through the night. The very next day, he met Gunner. He wasn't the biggest or the most energetic dog, but this little puppy didn't want to leave Andrew's side. Gunner chose to stick by Andrew, despite of all the hardships he's endured.
The bond between the two grew with each passing day. Today, Andrew and Gunner participate together in various runs and obstacle courses across the country. Competition after competition, the pride Andrew has for Gunner, as he successfully navigates the various challenges, can only be described as the pride a parent has for a child.
"Service dogs allow people to live a life they otherwise wouldn't be able to live because of whatever issue or disability they're suffering from," says Andrew. "It's near impossible to do anything on your own and having a support system — whether it be one dog, a team of people, it doesn't matter the number — if you don't get help, you're gonna get worse. But if you ask for help, you'll get better. You're still the same person, nothing changes, except your life getting better."
Andrew found that support system in Gunner.
To learn more about Andrew and Gunner's incredible journey — and to explore the amazing ways a service animal can impact lives — visit Nulo's website.
This article is sponsored by Nulo Pet Food.
