Dogs 4 Warriors

My name is Justin Schuh I was paired with a dog through Dogs 4 Warriors. I served 14 years in the Marine Corps. I was medically retired as a Sergeant in January of 2014 for PTSD and TBI. I deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan as a Scout Sniper.

When I returned from my last deployment from Afghanistan I noticed a change in myself I couldn't go out in public without having an anxiety attack or anger outburst. It was also happening during family events. This was effecting my family life having two children it was hard for me to go and enjoy my daughter who was 11 play sports or taking my 2 year old son anywhere because I was to worried about my surroundings. In the two weeks that I stayed at the compound of Dogs 4 Warriors and working with Sheila and my dog Sarge it is easier to go to restaurants and malls.
Having Sarge by my side is like having one of my Marines with me at all times to watch my back, when he senses my anxiety level rise he distracts me to get my mind off everything around me and focus my attention on him. What Sheila, her family and the Dogs 4 Warriors organization are doing is just amazing. I can't express how much it means to me and my family.

Thank you for everything you are doing.
Justin Schuh Sgt.USMC (RET.)

Life is not always going to give us what we want. Many people when they were younger wanted to be a famous athlete or a doctor and make millions of dollars but when it came down to it that just wasn’t in the cards for them so they became United States Marines instead. I was trained in the art of war, hand to hand combat and I am good at it but then things change and you can’t be that warrior you once were, people don’t understand you and you become a loner and become reckless and out of control. You lose everything. I lost everything. I had a wonderful wife, beautiful children, a house, a car, I had it all and then just like that in a blink of an eye it was gone.

They say PTSD, they say bi polar, they say anxiety, depression, and all kinds of other crap. Well I guess that was enough for me to want to call it quits. I mean seriously I served my country I did what many won’t even talk about shouldn’t I get a pass. I am sorry I was a bad husband and I am sorry I am a bad father but damn it I was a good Marine and I led my Marines with honor and pride. I took care of them and loved them with all my heart. I tried my best. I miss my Marines and I hate that I am not a Marine anymore. And I don’t wanna hear that stupid bullshit of Once a Marine always a Marine, cause its not true. With out my rifle and my Marines I am nothing but a ghost, a has been, I have been replaced and there is nothing that I can do about it.

I am miserable but am still alive and breathing not just because of my dog Karma, but because of a woman named Sheila who found it in her heart to take care of a broken down Marine that she barely even knew. She took me into her home and gave her wonderful family to me as they were my own. She never sleeps and is always on the prowl for more Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen to help. She easily could be making lots of money for her hard work but she doesn’t. She cares more about us living and managing life than making money. She is a superstar and I love her with all my heart. She is the real reason I am still alive. My service dog Karma is spoiled. She eats the best food, sleeps in a luxurious bed, and is pampered whenever she wants. Her life is great. And the best part is she doesn’t even have to talk to me. I love her so much and I am glad that Sheila found her for me.

If it wasn’t for Karma I wouldn’t get up most days. Most weeks I can stay in bed for 3 to 4 days at a time. I can’t stand people and they make me sick actually. But Karma makes me take care of her and that keeps me going. Shes my buddy, my pal, my best friend. When its dark out she finds the light. Dogs 4 Warriors is a great place to be. Oh and if you truly need a dog and are ready to let it take care of you and you take care of it then go to Ohio and train with Sheila and your dog and find some happiness in life. If you can’t go train in Ohio with Sheila then your a joke anyway cause the last time I checked anyone that serves in the military had to do some type of training to get any qualification that they have. Nothing was given for free, everything is earned. So don’t be lazy and ask for your dog to be mailed to you. Go bond with Sheila and your dog and train. That’s the cost to get back to some type of normal. Go to Sheila, listen to her instructions, bond with your dog, meet Andy he's awesome, eat great food, laugh, cry, and say good training boss I love you and then go home. Its that simple.

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R/S
SSGT TINO 0369/USMC

My name is Michael Maresh. Dogs 4 Warriors has literally changed my life in so many different ways that it is almost impossible for me to remember and list them all.

I enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in April of 2006 and left for OSUT (One Station Unit Training) in October of 2006. I graduated Basic Training and Military Police School in April of 2007. I returned back to my home state of Ohio and was quickly hired as a part time corrections officer in a small city jail. However, shortly after my hire, I was asked by my squad leader if I wanted to go to Afghanistan. There was another MP unit out of Youngstown that was getting ready to deploy and needed bodies that were willing to go. The mission was unknown at time time. Me being 20 years old said; "what else do I have to lose?" So I raised my hand and volunteered to go.

We got to Afghanistan on January 1st of 2008. We all found out what our mission was real quick. They split the entire company up. I ended up being a gunner and manning crew-served weapons systems as a security for for the provincial reconstruction team. Fast forward a few months and I lost a good friend in a IED attack. It became extremely emotional and surreal at that point that I could actually lose my life over there.

When I got home, I thought that that my life I was living was normal but now 9 years later, I see that it was far from it. I carried a firearm wherever I went. I planned my day around people. I would grocery shop and go to the gym late at night just so I didn't have to deal with people. I would never be caught in a crowd of people unless I was with other veterans. I was always hyper-vigilant.

In 2012, I a terrible decision that cost me my career (both military and civilian), my family, and so much more. I spent 3 years in prison. I became associated with the Dogs 4 Warriors organization while incarcerated training service dogs in the prison. I really didn't really understand how a dog could change my life but they made such the difference in the prison.

After release, I was offered an apprenticeship position under Dogs 4 Warriors to work at the compound to train the dogs there, take care of the dogs by feeding, exchanging water, and cleaning out the kennels everyday. Without Sheila and Andy and this organization as a whole, I would be a homeless veteran and just another statistic for the VA and and the Department of Justice.

Dogs 4 Warriors gives me that purpose that I need to get out of bed everyday and to drive on and as we say in the Army "Charlie Mike."

This organization has just done so so much for so many of us....there is no way that I will ever be able to repay them for what they have given me!

I spent 8 yrs. on Active Duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. My job in the Marine Corps was Military Police. I deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 and then again in 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

I worked for several years once I was medically separated from the Marine Corps in 2007. However, the anxiety attacks began to occur more frequently. At nights I couldn't sleep, which lead to extremely long days at work. Eventually, after many suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety attacks I was unable to continue working in Sep 2015.

I was on a PTSD Facebook page in December 2013 and learned of a person named Sheila Slezak who was training Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD and/or TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). I contacted her immediately and started the process of getting a Service Dog. I received Samson, a two-year-old German Shepherd, in March of 2014.

Samson goes with me everywhere and watches everything and everyone around me, which eases my mind. He assists with calming me when I am having an Anxiety Attack. He will get my attention so that I will focus on him rather than things going on around me. He does walk the house prior to bed, and at night he will sleep in front of my bedroom door, which is an added sense of security for me. He is by my side constantly and cries if I leave the house without him. He has given me another thing, plus my family, to look forward to every morning. However, the trauma is still there and will never completely go away. Samson just helps when the need arises and is a true friend the rest of the time. I have lost most friends due to living a reclusive lifestyle since my discharge, but Samson has made the trips to town easier, mentally, and will be by my side for a long time.

I will forever be indebted to Dogs 4 Warriors and Sheila Slezak for their unwavering support and continued mission of helping veterans. Very few organizations can say they are changing veteran’s lives FREE and really mean it. Sheila is an amazing woman and has a great family, which is continuing to grow on a daily basis with every new Veteran who is accepted into the Dogs 4 Warriors program.

I believe so much in this organization that I moved my family from TN to OH in order to be closer to this organization. I visit frequently and love meeting the new Veterans who are starting their training with their Service Dogs.

Everyone at Dogs 4 Warriors is “ALL-VOLUNTEERS”. No one receives money for his or her time and energy that is put into saving Veterans lives by pairing Disabled Veterans with a Service Dog.

Dogs4warriors has been there for me all sense my application was accepted. Having a service dog has changed my life, but the supporting people of the group have been amazing! People who truly care about vet's and are veterans themselves. They get it! Ranger my service dog, is my best friend. He is always by my side, and is very well trained! Some day I hope that I can return the favor, and help Dogs4warriors as much as they have helped me!