JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – K9s for Warriors is celebrating the 12 “DOGS” of Christmas!
The service group gifted 12 veterans from across the country a life-changing service dog.
News4JAX was there at the K9s for Warriors program graduation ceremony, which included five local veterans.
Retired Staff Sgt. Zachary Anderson is from Pennsylvania, and served in the Army, for nearly a decade including two tours in Iraq.
This is Zach’s second dog, His first, named Monte, died. Now Zach is hopeful this second battle buddy will live up to his fun name Cheddar, chosen by his sponsors.
“They just thought it was a fun, cute name. Adding Cheese to anything makes it better,” Anderson said.
The organization rescues dogs from shelters and provides them with specialized training to become service dogs for veterans suffering traumas ranging from PTSD to military sexual assault to traumatic brain Injuries.
“Coming here with expectations of hoping to get better. and getting paired with Cheddar was a seamless transition. This dog is just, an extension of me,” Anderson said.
These dogs are ready to provide critical support taking veterans to places many have actively avoided for years like the mall, the movies, and even Walmart and Target.
For almost every Veteran graduating, reaching out to K9s For Warriors was a last-ditch effort to mitigate their symptoms.
“I became a recluse. I didn’t enjoy life. I didn’t enjoy things. I became introverted, tunnel vision and going through this program, the organization paired me with a dog that could not be more closer related to what I needed. Together we go out in the public and we navigate life together,” Anderson said.