Nonprofit hosts ‘family reunion’ for veterans and their service dogs. ‘He brings back the joy.’
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WhenformerU.S.MarineMasterSgt.WilliamPieczarkaenteredtheWoundedWarriorBattalionatCampPendletonforinjuriessustainedinpreviouscombattours,hispsychologistsuggestedtheFreedomDogsprogram.
That’showhemethisbestfriendEthan,anow7-year-oldLabrador.
Hisservicedoghelpshimwithhissocialanxietyandguideshimthroughtheday,hesaid.
“Hebringsbackthejoy,”saidPieczarka,44,wholivesinMassachusetts.“There’salotofdarkplaceswe’vegoneinourlivesandexperienceswe’vebeenthrough,andthisiswhatstartsbringingusbackintonormalityandenjoymentoflife.”
Sinceitsfoundingin2009,theOceanside-basednonprofitFreedomDogshasbeenhelpingservicememberswhoarebeingtreatedforpost-traumaticstressdisorder,traumaticbraininjury,andotherphysicalimpairments,withtrainedservicedogs.
OnSunday,theorganizationhostedwhatitcalleda“familyreunion”aheadofitsannualsold-outfundraisinggolftournamenttobeheldMondayatFairbanksRanchCountryClubinRanc