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 Keith Murphy
Hear Keith’s story in this short video along with another veteran Randy Nantz who addresses how light therapy reduced their chronic pain from injuries.
Click here.
 LaTosha Andrade, USAF, Ret. & Lincoln
After serving in the Air Force, I fell victim to PTSD and the constant anguish it caused in my life. The depression, the non-stop anxiety, the terrifying nightmares, and the fear that consumed me every day started to negatively impact my relationships with others. I turned to therapists but still could not move forward. After more than seven years of feeling defeated, I took the advice of a fellow veteran and looked into getting a service dog.
In October 2020, I flew to Murrieta, California. The Patriotic Service Dog Foundation welcomed me to their ranch. After a short time there on the ranch, I was introduced to a beautiful Labrador Retriever named Lincoln. From the moment Lincoln ran up to me his excitement and enthusiasm I felt a strong connection. I just knew he was the one. He “blocks” for me, creating a comfort zone between me and anyone I might be uncomfortable with. He recognizes when my anxiety level is rising, and becomes playful, demanding my attention until I am refocused on him. He helps keep me grounded in times of high anxiety using pressure therapy, with the weight of his body either laying across my feet or pressing up against my legs. His alertness to everyday life and the assurance he offers let me know if I have a reason to be concerned in any given situation.
Lincoln is my everything and I cannot imagine life without him! I am forever grateful to the Light Up To Live Foundation for sponsoring Lincoln. Both foundations are near and dear to my heart and have become a huge part of my family now. With their support and service to veterans, individuals like myself have another chance at living a happier, more fulfilling life. (Story edited for brevity).
Read more Veteran testimonials here. |
Ellis is training at the Triple T Ranch, and will soon be matched with a Veteran when his Battle Buddy comes into the program. He is one year and 10 months now. He knows all of his basic commands and more as well as several PTSD tasks to help his handler. He is a great snuggler and will make an excellent service dog.
Bonney is also training at the Triple T Ranch, and will soon be matched with a Veteran when her Battle Buddy comes into the program. She is one year and 10 months old. She knows all of her basic commands and more as well as several PTSD tasks to help her handler. She is beautiful and loving and will make an excellent service dog.
Trooper is eight months old and starting to grow into her ears. She is still with her puppy raisers who take Trooper everywhere with them. Her training is coming along nicely and she is well behaved at assisted living facilities, restaurants, shopping, social gatherings, and everywhere she goes. We thank Boots for Troops for partnering with Light Up To Live for Trooper’s training.
Liberty is still with her puppy raiser and is doing very well. Liberty is almost nine months old, gorgeous, and growing like a weed. She has been going on lots of outings to the kids’ school, grocery store, and social gatherings and doing well. She is a very sweet and affectionate girl.
