Home » Nonprofit hosts ‘family reunion’ for veterans and their service dogs. ‘He brings back the joy.’

Nonprofit hosts ‘family reunion’ for veterans and their service dogs. ‘He brings back the joy.’

Nonprofit hosts ‘family reunion’ for veterans and their service dogs. ‘He brings back the joy.’

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