Service dog and training provided by Operation Freedom Paws.

“I had PTSD when I got back from Afghanistan – no patience for anybody, complaining about stuff, I got angry a lot easier, drank a lot more, was kind of reckless basically, wild and reckless I guess you would say.

“My grandma in Texas told me about service dogs and gave me Mary Cortani’s telephone number. I like Operation Freedom Paws. I enjoy going because it’s mostly veterans. And I find myself being able to connect more with veterans than anybody else. Pumpkin watches my back, like when I’m talking to somebody, he’ll just stand behind me and watch. I’m not really too worried about my front, mainly my back.” 

–Chris Arde