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