"He Gave Me a Purpose": Richard & Lucky’s Story | Southern Cross Service Dogs

Richard served in the U.S. Army from 1982 until his retirement in 2014, including two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his time there, he sustained impacts that he didn’t think much of at the time. They turned out to be a traumatic brain injury. When he came home, he was also living with PTSD and night terrors. For years, Richard became so isolated that he wouldn’t leave his home. He couldn’t enjoy anything, not even something as simple as watching TV. His wife carried him through those years, but as he grew more dependent on her, the two of them lost friends. Eventually it was just the two of them, and she knew something had to change. One morning, she saw Southern Cross on the local news talking about service dogs for veterans. She woke Richard up and told him, “This is it.” Within the first few days with Lucky, it felt like they had been together all along. Lucky learned to recognize when Richard was restless or having an episode at night. He goes to Richard’s side, rests his chin on his hand, and nudges him awake. Richard hasn’t had a nightmare since. In less than a year, his family saw a different person. Richard is getting out, has lost weight, talks to people again, and spends his time helping other veterans. In his words: “I’m back.” Southern Cross Service Dogs pairs exceptionally trained service dogs with exceptional people, at no cost to qualified U.S. veterans. Every dog we place is trained to be Always Beside You. 🐾 Learn more: https://www.southerncrossservicedogs.org ❤️ Donate: https://www.southerncrossservicedogs.... 🇺🇸 Apply for a service dog: https://www.southerncrossservicedogs.... 🤝 Volunteer: https://www.southerncrossservicedogs.... Southern Cross Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Winter Garden, Florida. #ServiceDogs #Veterans #ArmyVeteran #OIFVeteran #TBI #PTSD #AlwaysBesideYou