COLUMBUS, Ohio — At least 20% of veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq war suffer from some type of psychological or physical disability. 

What You Need To Know

  • Heath Stephenson served 29 years in the Army

  • He suffers from PTSD and TBI 

  • K-9 for Warriors is an organization that connects service members and service dogs 
  • Heath got Tommy as a service dog two years ago
  • Now with the help of Tommy, he is able to re-acclimate and participate in crowded activities 

The Veterans Crisis Line launched in 2007 and has grown to a 24/7 service that receives hundreds of thousands of calls per year. Many veterans suffer from life-altering mental illnesses like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). Over a fifth of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans suffer from some type of psychological or physical disability. 

Heath Stephenson has spent most of his life serving our country.

“I joined age 17 right out of high school and joined because I was patriotic,” said Stephenson. “I wanted to serve my country and do something bigger than just being in my little small hometown here in Ohio.”

He gave the U.S. three decades of his life. Touring all over the world, his service came at a price.

“A bad day was back in 2005 when I was in a humvee riding, just going to get on down the road for my buddies and we had an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and we flipped up and went inside the Tigris River upside down on fire with enemy fire being suppressing upon us,” explained Stephenson. 

It didn't take long for Heath to start experiencing symptoms of PTSD and TBI. He noticed he was frustrated, irritable, isolated, angry, overwhelmed and anxious. He avoided days ahead and struggled to live a normal life. He suppressed and ignored his mental health for years, until one day it became too much. He figured it was time to do something and start somewhere.

“Survivor's remorse, yeah, I get it,” said Stephenson. “But now it's not so much as processing what you have to what you need.”

He applied for a service dog through K9s for Warriors, a service organization that helps mitigate service connected traumas by providing service dogs. That’s when he was matched with Tommy.

“He got right up in my face, licked my face and everybody was astonished just how quickly that bond became,” said Stephenson. 

It took two years for the two to get matched, but Stephenson said it was worth the wait. For the past two years, he and Tommy have been inseparable. Many who suffer from PTSD or TBI struggle in big crowds and with loud noises due to increased anxiety, but now Stephenson has someone to protect him like he’s protected the country.

“It’s a role reversal when it comes to, you know, being the protector to him being the protector,” said Stephenson. “Now, it's more of a team. It's a team effort, him letting me know that I'm alright and me letting him know that I'm OK too” 

They go to baseball games, parades and more together. Stephenson said Tommy has made life worth living again.

“If someone in my statute can, you know, find the remedy and the resources and in this avenue in healing with the service dog, I'm hoping other vets will do that as well,” said Stephenson. 

K9s for Warriors helps hundreds of veterans re-acclimate themselves into society. Responders are also available 24/7 through the military crisis hotline. Service members can dial 988 and press “1” to be connected to a trained professional.