SERVICE DOG HELPS VETERAN DROP 52 LBS & STOP TAKING 4 MEDICATIONS FOR PTSD
MEET ARMY MEDIC BRIAN MCCRADY:
Brian is a retired Army medic whose life was dramatically altered in 2003 after falling 15 feet from a truck during a tour of Iraq. The accident left him with a terrible neurological movement disorder called dystonia, which caused abnormal posturing and curving in his spine. Making matters worse, Brian also suffered from severe PTSD, which caused him to withdraw from society even after returning home to live with his family.
Like so many other veterans returning from combat with PTSD, Brian began to isolate and would rarely leave the house. Finally, after learning about the impact a service dog had in the life of a friend, Brian decided to apply for one himself.
Brian will be the first to tell you that his service dog Chauncey has completely changed his life.
"AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET BETTER AND THINGS WOULD JUST GO BACK TO NORMAL. IT WASN'T UNTIL I RECEIVED CHAUNCEY THAT I REALIZED I WAS JUST GOING TO HAVE A NEW ME."
FINDING NEW LIFE WITH THE GIFT OF A SERVICE DOG.
Bred and nurtured by Project 2 Heal, Chauncey received all of the enrichment each of our puppies receive through our Early Neurological Stimulation, Early Scent Introduction, and Puppy Prodigy programs. Chauncey was trained by Fidos for Freedom, a service dog training organization based in Laurel, Maryland. Brian’s partnership with Chauncey has been completely transformational, allowing him to lose more than 50 pounds and quit using four different medications he was previously prescribed.
“He’s given me back a voice that I had before in terms of advocacy, outreach, and doing things for other people.” Brian has stated. Most telling however, Brian says, “At first I thought I was going to get better and things would just go back to normal. It wasn’t until I received Chauncey that I realized I was just going to have a new me.”
Medic Brian McCrady
United States Army
Monthly donors—which we call, "Healing Pawtners"—are the foundation of Project 2 Heal and our mission of reducing the cost and time it takes to place a service dog with a person in need. We're the only nonprofit in the country dedicated to breeding, nurturing, and donating Labrador Retriever puppies to become service dogs for veterans, children with special needs, and adults with disabilities. Our work can change—and in some cases, save—lives of people in need.
Through your monthly donation of $10, $30, $50 or $100, you provide Project 2 Heal with a consistent and reliable source of funding to allow us to meet our mission.
As a Healing Pawtner You'll Enjoy:
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Knowledge that your donation will be immediately put to work.
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Monthly "Pup-Dates" via email.
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Opportunity to tour and visit our facility.
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Access to playtime with our service puppies in training.
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Car magnet to display and show your support.
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Ability to change or suspend your donation at any time.
