Veterans, We've been waiting for you!

 Bob is the first Vietnam Veteran that Ryan has placed a Service Dog with.
Bob served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1973. He was a bulldozer operator along with many other duties and was part of the 62nd Engineers Unit of the Army.
He decided to investigate a Service Dog at the suggestion of his doctor to aid him with his PTSD. He had tried a couple of different organizations that did not work out before meeting and speaking with Ryan. Ryan first attempted to train a dog Bob currently owned, but the dog did not respond to the training well.
Not willing to give up and with a new mission to help Bob, Ryan began training Rocky, a boxer mix, who he felt may be a great match for Bob. After the initial 90-day foster with Bob and Rocky, the results have been nothing short of amazing. According to Bob, Rocky had helped him return to and refocus his life. He feels calmer, has been able to now go for walks and even shopping at Walmart, an activity he had not been able to do before his new buddy, Rocky. To quote Bob, "I don't feel forgotten. Ryan checks in on me and Rocky on a regular basis, even after I officially adopted Rocky. I love the outings that we do because it helps me continue to be able to live my life with newfound confidence." 

I am so thankful for Ryan and his Semper-Fi Service Dogs team. My dog, General Mattis, and I have been in training for 14 months. Ryan has turned my dog around from timid, aggressive, and scared to a well-behaved, content boy. My family constantly mentions how surprised they are with my dog's confidence and joy every time they see him again.

Being trained by a Marine Corps Veteran and being surrounded by the military vets who attend the program creates such a feeling of camaraderie, we're like family. Everyone helps each other out. For example, when I needed a job, there were multiple people networking me until I got one, "One team, one fight!"

As a Veteran, I have never paid for any of the lessons I have attended (even though I believe Ryan typically charges around $100 per lesson for those who are not in his service/therapy/emotional support dog program). I have been to over 100 lessons, so that's a lot of money the business could have made but did not. This is truly a not-for-profit business that vales Veterans and their rescue dogs. 

The program is challenging to both myself and Mattis because we're always learning and practicing new and old commands. However, all of the commands and obedience come together more naturally with consistency. Ryan's jokes and personality comfort us when we're being evaluated at tests or outings, which makes us feel better.

It's great to see Veterans getting the help they need from the Semper-Fi Service Dogs pack and from the dogs themselves!

I am an Iraq War Veteran living with PTSD, its symptoms, and the problems that come with it. My Service Dog, "Sazzy," has had a huge, positive impact on my life. She is my companion, my comforter, my protection, and my family. She provides unconditional love and is always there for me. She can tell when I am anxious, fearful, sad, or sick and always finds a way to comfort me. It's obvious that she has a natural instinct to please her human and the right temperament to be a Service Dog, but her training has also made a huge difference in her success as my Service Dog.

Ryan from Semper-Fi Service Dogs has been instrumental in helping me train her. Ryan is selfless, a hard worker, and determined to help other Veterans in need of Service Dogs. His organization provides dogs and training free of charge to qualified and deserving Veterans. The training and support are top-notch. In addition, once you are in the group, you are treated like family. I couldn't be happier with this organization. They are the best!