Stiggy’s Dogs Tiger, recently reunited with his handler Jamey, has exceeded our expectations.

“Having Tiger here is a blessing to me, the other Vets here,and believe or not… some of the staff here”-Jamey Johnson

A week following that statement, I received this email from Jason Keller. (Jason is a Veteran currently on our waiting list).

Jennifer,

I just wanted to say hi and let you know how amazing Tiger and Jamie are.  I have had a rough couple of days here, and Tiger has been there for me! They are a blessing from god.   Some days the only way I make it through, is I think about the day I get my dog.

Thanks.

Jason Keller (sent with this picture)

I woke startled and confused…….was that a dream? No, it was a reality! I closed my eyes, wishing nothing more than to relive yesterday all over again……..

Joe and I were at Bloomsburg University to see 2 of the 5 group presentations from Professors’ Petre’s  Communication for Business Professionals Class. We drove the 9 hour drive the day before and got to squeeze in some much cherished Jim and Lizzy time. Before we went to bed, Jim had all the presentations the table letting us view them beforehand if we wanted. Joe and I both wanted to wait to see the presentations firsthand. In hind sight, I wish I would have looked things over, I could have been better prepared…..
Joe and I dressed in our Stiggy’s Dogs shirts, and Stig wearing his vest,  we were all a bundle of energy. I was excited, my anticipation building as walked closer. Stig was also super excited! It was a beautiful day, spring is in full bloom, there are lots of people around looking at him……Joe gave Stig some quick directions, focusing hm on his ‘work’ to do. This was also a great opportunity for us to take Stig in a classroom setting. The Veteran he will be paired with has expressed going back to school. We were about to see if Stig was cut out for it…..

Read the rest here…

I am filled with deep appreciation for all the personal kindness our organization has received recently. I am overwhelmed by the show of support, the donations of money, gifts of things we desperately need, the emails of support, and the many people whom I am honored to know!
I don’t even know where to begin….

Less than a month ago, Terran Frye, (one of our Veterans, paired with Hershey) mentioned that we should have a Bowling Fundraiser……..and within a week, one was planned. I have to say that Terran was just initially giving us an idea, but it quickly turned into an event! Terran and his wife Michelle, worked immediately on getting donations from local business. Terran himself going from place to place, with Hershey proudly by his side. Rachel Cullen joined them to help our cause, and together they were the powerful force behind our successful Bowling for Heroes Fundraiser! Thank you sounds so insignificant for the gratitude I have for them!

Read the rest here…

Tiger Enters:
Let me begin by thanking everyone involved in the extensive and complex process of getting Tiger, my beloved friend and Service Dog to me (it will not be the last time and this is the least compassionate thank you that will be given).

Well, I have been in the Martinsburg, WV VA Medical Center PTSD inpatient program since 3/8/2011. My psychiatrist from my home base at Camp Lejeune had initially told me that I could not bring Tiger with me. In fact, that was the first question that I had asked him when we were “a go” to come here. I won’t go into the emotional interferences from that moment until the time I arrived (that will be covered in further writings). Once here, I realized that I this place was not the end-all-be-all to me PTSD and my symptoms. This place was full of triggers. Everything from automatic doors that would open as you walked by them (oddly placed in hallways), rude vets that hooped and hollered with no regard for others, rude vets that would crowd hallways… vets in scooters that would speed through the hallways far faster than they should with no regard to who was in their way… and countless others. The point is, I was having a hard time.

Read the rest here…

Wow, again hard to put the past 72 hours into words…..but I will try my best!

Air Force Veteran, Jamie Gorm, contacted Sitggys Dogs about acquiring a dog, a referral from friend and fellow Veteran Terran Frye.  Jamie lives not that far away, and even though he knows he is on the waiting list, he wanted to come to The Barracks. Jamie wanted get a feel of what we are about, visit with his friend Terran, work with our current Boot Camp Dogs and to  volunteer to help do some  work.   I explained our current ‘living’ conditions, and with air mattress in tow, Jamie came on down. Jamie instantly fit right in.

Veterans Terran, Ben and Jamie hung out, walked dogs, cooked food, built a fence,  and played board games.  They shared stories, talked about Doctors, prescriptions, Military, VA Centers and help.  It was the comfortableness of comradely.   Terran was offered 3 Tigers game tickets; an even that each of these guys would not have gone too separately, but together the three was a strong force to reckon with! It was a push of their limits, but they stayed all game and  came home with a Tiger skull cap!

Ben, Terran, Jamie and I took all the dogs to a local Bowling Alley to prepare them for our fundraiser this weekend. Jamie even asked if he could take Stig through, the fact that he asked (and I was there) was all I needed. It was a very busy, crowded, small bowling Alley. Birthday parties were going on, the lanes were full, balls and pins making noise, little kids pointing and yelling….We all walked through, in a line, perfectly!!! GOOOOOOO Stiggy’s Dogs!

It was also the ‘little’ things that didn’t go unnoticed: like the pride I felt when Ben and Jamie took all the dogs out for a walk themselves! Ben feeling confident to do so, all while he explained to Jamie loose leash walking….

Jamie and Stiggy became fast friends. Stiggy followed Jamey around looking for some love, which Jamie was happy to give! Stig took over as his dog for the weekend; they played together and slept together! One night of having Jamie at The Barracks and we all knew he was a snorer! I was worried that Stig wouldn’t sleep with him because of the loud obnoxious noises that came from that room. But to my surprise Stig showed us yet again why we call him Super-Star.  Stig lay with Jamie as they watched a movie before falling asleep. Jamie petting Stig continuously and rhythmically. Once Jamie fell asleep Stig went to the foot of the bed and curled up……until Jamie had a nightmare. Jamie said he was woken up from the nightmare by Stig nudging his nose on Jamie’s hand. Jamie, already in a pool of sweat, and Stiggy licking his hand! Stig was doing his ‘job’, knowing something wasn’t right……

Terran with Hershey, Ben with Stella and Jamie all headed out one night to play some pool at a local VFW Hall. An older veteran there struck up a conversation with Terran, this Vietnam Veteran Marine Dog Handler, told Terran of how he rescued a German Shepherd awhile ago and gave her to a rescue group that was training her for Veterans.  I remember the call like it was yesterday, this Animal Control Officer who that called me to save a German Shepherds life. Telling me that the dog should have been euthanized and he wanted to give her a chance.  Stiggys Dogs rescued that dog, named her Stella and paired her with Ben. Here they sit, face to face with the man who made it all possible. Amazing, truly amazing….

During our weekend festivities, Donna was traveling to help the transition/reuniting Tiger and Jamey. We were coordinating the efforts of the Pilots Rock Skowbo / Jane Wicker, Jamey’s wife Shawna, Tiger, the weather, etc.  I sat all day Sunday watching the red blip of the fight tracker, waiting in anticipation.  Sunday evening the plane landed with Tiger safe and sound! Yes, I cried, again!

Another weekend highlight?  A game of Apples to Apples. We laughed so hard my stomach still hurts! Next to dogs……laughter really is the best medicine….