A Veteran's Path to Independence
Adam and his service dog, Koda, were partnered in December 2024. Just over a year later, they are enjoying a partnership that has reshaped Adam’s daily life.
Adam is a post-9/11 Army veteran living with service-connected PTSD. For years, crowded and unpredictable environments required constant vigilance and careful planning. Even everyday tasks could feel overwhelming.
​
While exploring treatment options, Adam began learning about service dogs. At the same time, he felt hesitant. One of his biggest concerns was the visibility that comes with a service dog. Having Koda by his side would make an otherwise invisible disability visible to the world. As Adam put it, “It makes your unseen disability seen.”
​
After careful consideration, Adam ultimately decided that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks and chose to pursue a service dog as a path to support his independence and long-term well-being.
From the beginning, Koda brought a calm and steady presence. Adam describes him as “curious, loving, and attentive,” with a grounded, intuitive personality. Over time, Koda became a trusted partner. "He’s changed my life in every possible way,” Adam shares. “We go everywhere together."
​
In public spaces, Koda helps Adam feel safer and more grounded. Through trained behaviors such as “post” and “anchor,” Koda creates physical space in crowded environments and helps Adam feel calmer and centered. Situations that once felt overwhelming are now manageable.
​
At home, Koda’s impact continues. He provides grounding support during moments of stress and has learned to wake Adam from nightmares. Over time, Koda has begun anticipating Adam’s needs without verbal cues. “We’re really gelling as a team,” Adam says. “He has my back.”
​
As a veteran, Adam describes having access to this kind of support as life-changing. For him, the impact goes beyond Koda’s trained tasks. It’s the constant presence, trust, and sense of partnership that matter most. “It’s extraordinary,” Adam says. “He’s an absolute gift.”
​
Looking ahead, Adam is excited about the future. He looks forward to continued training, new adventures, and spending more time outdoors together. With Koda by his side, independence feels possible again.
​
Because of your support, this made Adam and Koda’s partnership a reality at no cost to Adam. As Adam reflects, “It literally takes a small army to make every one of these dogs possible.”
