Stories

 

Conventional treatment was not helping Sergeant Renteria deal with his symptoms of PTSD and TBI after his deployment to Iraq as an infantry soldier. He knew he needed something more than medication and intermittent therapy sessions. PTSD left Adam feeling isolated, being out in public would cause him to have severe panic attacks, rooftops and windows still seemed like places for snipers to hide, walking around corners caused severe anxiety, debilitating nightmares made sleep impossible and noises reminded him of the war zone he had just left. Click for full story.

Staff Sergeant Jose Pila returned from tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom suffering from PTSD, TBI and physical injuries. After his return, Jose has dedicated his time to helping other service members through the San Gabriel Valley Veteran Employment Committee and as an Academic Counselor for veterans at a community college. He came to Pets for Vets plagued by nightmares, high anxiety and hyper vigilance. Click for full story.

Specialist Steven Mangiameli’s life changed the day he found a Pets for Vets brochure at the VA. Ten years in the Army left him with depression, anxiety and a debilitating sense of loneliness. He spent many days in bed unable to face the world. He expressed to Pets for Vets that he was in great need of a companion. Click for full story.

Gasper Carranza was a Sergeant in the Army during the Vietnam War. As a result of his time in service, Gasper has suffered with PTSD, depression and anxiety. His children made the initial contact with Pets for Vets on Gasper’s behalf hoping that a pet could help alleviate the feelings that welled inside their father. Enter Ziva, an intelligent and sensitive terrier mix! Click for full story.

Gigi aka Binji was placed with Corey Webster. Corey is a Grenada veteran and his message below is an excellent illustration of what Pets for Vets is accomplishing. Click for full story.

Blade Antony served as a medic in the Marine Corp. During his tour it was his job to save the lives of his brothers and sisters-in-arms. When he returned home from Iraq, he found himself feeling alone, out of place, angry at people who did not seem to understand, suffering from PTSD , nightmares and on the verge of committing suicide. Now it was his life that needed saving. Click for full story.

David is a Corporal in the Marine Corps and a veteran of two Iraq tours. David joined the Marines prior to September 11th, 2001. He was part of the initial invasion and then returned to Iraq during the peak of hostility in 2004. David witnessed the death of a close platoon member; he returned home suffering from PTSD as a result of his time in combat. David contacted Pets for Vets looking for a companion dog to help him readjust to civilian life. Click for full story…

When Staff Sergeant Bobby Stone met Carl, it was love at first sight. Bobby is a staff sergeant and a veteran of four Iraq tours, one in Kuwait and one in Afghanistan. Exposure to an IED detonation triggered medical issues including PTSD. Bobby contacted Pets for Vets while still in Afghanistan and completed the process as soon as he returned home. Pets for Vets knew that Bobby needed a special dog to make him feel comfortable around people and in public. Click for full story

Pets for Vets is honored to thank Sergeant David Mills for his service by introducing him to his forever companion “Charlie” for the first time. Charlie is a 3 year old female husky adopted from the Carson shelter. She was very depressed in the shelter and her fur was incredibly matted. After a thorough cleaning and de-matting, she went through the Pets for Vets training program to become ready to be with her new dad. Click for full story

Sergeant Sam Montoya joined the United States Marine Corp at the age of 17. During his time in service he was stationed in Vietnam and participated in the Tet Offensive.

Sam suffers from nightmares due to traumatic events he experienced during the Vietnam War. Sam explained “Noises at night startle me, I need a companion dog to help me through these bouts. If the dog is not startled then I won’t be worried or paranoid and I will be able to sleep better”. Click for full story

United States Army veteran Specialist Leif Meisinger suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and many other physical and emotional injuries from his tour in Iraq. Pets for Vets first met Leif during the Veterans Day celebration at Los Alamitos. Lief was optimistic that a dog would help make his transition into civilian life easier. However his severe OCD could make finding a dog to fit his lifestyle difficult. Click for full story

Sergeant Doraliza Velezcallazo has served 12 years in the United States Army including serving in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. As a nurse she spent her career taking care of and putting others before herself. After returning from service Doraliza was diagnosed with TBI and PTSD and has become very isolated. Click for full story

Our founder Clarissa Black met Davis Tucker in the Occupational Therapy room at the VA Long Beach. When he met her dog, Bear, he told her how much a dog of his own would enhance his life. Davis was drafted into the Army in 1964 and spent one year serving in Vietnam. While in Vietnam he was exposed to Agent Orange which later led to many medical complications, including diabetes, amputation of his leg in 2005 and becoming a partial paraplegic. Click for full story

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