Damian Jungermann, a New York City resident, made the courageous decision to join the Navy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001. As a Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, he was responsible for disarming and removing explosives.
Damian had served in the Navy for fourteen years and had completed three deployments to Afghanistan. However, like many who joined the military, his mental health suffered as a result. In addition to developing depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he also had a traumatic brain injury.
As a result, he retired from the Navy and came home following his final assignment. In 2018, he joined Columbia University but found that his home life was deteriorating. A friend who owned a service dog suggested that he get one to greatly make his quality of life better.
Damian decided to take action and get one. He began researching organizations that can help him and came across K9s For Warriors, an American veterans support group and charity. The charity provided free training and placement of rescue dogs with veterans.
K9s For Warriors linked Damian with Shai, a mixed-breed Plott Hound, after he applied for one. Damian then traveled to Florida to work with the puppy. After three weeks of rigid training, Damian and Shai became great friends and remained such.
Shai gradually worked as the link for his furry father to other humans and began to assist him in coping with his PTSD symptoms. Damian revealed that the service dog had restored the quality of his life that he lost after serving the country.
In order to give back to the organization, the new pet parent chose to become a trainer for K9s For Warriors and assist his fellow veterans to rehabilitate through service dogs. It was also his way of helping other veterans who were suffering from the same thing that he had.
Source: Petco Love
