My Husband's Service Animal Changed his Life

My Husband's Service Animal Changed his Life...

My husband had just finished his college degree and started his first civilian job post-injury. He was struggling with his PTSD in the workforce. He thought he would have to go on complete disability when his counselor suggested a service dog. His service dog (Anderson) was a lifesaver for my husband. He was able to then continue working and moving up the ranks and his dog could sense his emotions and calm down his anxiety. Anderson was a game changer, not only in his work but with our children. My husband could finally go on trips with us and overall feel more comfortable in life. Anderson has been with us for close to eight years. He is now retired, and my husband can do daily life on his own. 

Without his service animal, his life would have taken a dramatic turn. His service animal is part of our family. When you see someone with a service dog that does not have a visible disability, don't judge too harshly. Service dogs can be for PTSD, diabetes, seizures, or deafness. It is truly amazing how much these animals can change one's life.

There is a difference between service animals and emotional support animals. Service animals have to have three tasks that they perform for the person and are allowed anywhere the handler goes. Anderson has gone to restaurants, theme parks, and federal buildings. Emotional support animals are not allowed in these places. If you see a service animal, the best thing you can do is pretend they are not there. They are working and if their focus is on you, they are not doing their job. I could never tell you how much we appreciate Anderson and everything he has done for my husband and our family. 

The Love-Hate Relationship with Back-To-School Time

As a parent, I have such a love-hate relationship with back-to-school time. 

I always hear parents joke about how they can't wait for their kids to be back in school. 

Maybe it's the quiet time and peacefulness away from chaos, siblings fighting and constantly providing food and snacks or someone always wanting to go somewhere..

Maybe it's the free time to get more work accomplished..

I don't know the reasoning but I'm just not that parent. I'm certainly not judging, I do love feeling more accomplished.. I just simply love having my kid home with me during the day. I despise back-to-school time.

I'm a caregiver to a severely wounded veteran so thankfully, I have the luxury of remote work from my home (Thank you to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes for that blessing). 

Having my teenage daughter at home all day during the summers helps so much with my stress levels. She has grown up as a "helper" for me and her Dad who is medically retired from the U.S. Army from the severe wounds he received from war. Summer brings us more days for quality time together and extra days to reward our girl with some well-deserved fun for being such a great help all year long.

The laughs, the long chats, the game nights and listening to Taylor Swift songs on the back patio at night time, Summer just never seems long enough. 

As I thank the good Lord above for the wonderful two-month break we've had, I knew when I woke up today that it was time to start shifting my mindset back to our school routine. Early mornings, pickup lines, studying and grades. it seemed impossible to stay positive for her.

Tonight came and I watched as she organized her binder, got her backpack ready, provided a whole fashion show of her new school clothes and chatted my head off about her schedule and teachers and just the overall excitement of spending the day with her friends again.

I slowly began to realize that I really do love the joy that back-to-school brings.

-Anonymous, Veteran Caregiver & Mom of a Teenager