When Marine William “Bill” Lins returned home from deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, he felt ruined. He wasn’t the same man anymore and felt like he didn’t fit in anywhere. After sustaining multiple injuries and witnessing the horrors of battle, he never thought he would be able to go back to living a normal life. A Warrior’s Best Friend HOW A RESCUE DOG CHANGED A VETERAN’S LIFE
yard. We get to smell new things and see new creatures. This keeps our brains active while also reducing stress and keeping us calm. Did you know that sniffing is actually a lot like exercise for us dogs? It can be exhausting when we are done, but when we do so, we are stronger, happier, and calmer. Finally, it’s easy to keep your dog entertained and safe on walks. Always use a leash, so you can keep control during the walk. Listen, I love to run free sometimes, but I don’t always know when to stop or when there is danger ahead! By staying on leash, I know my owners are making sure I’m safe! I also practice my commands, like sit, heel, and stay, on walks, which keep me sharp when these skills are necessary to protect me and my owners.
Whew, I’m tired! After a long walk and jotting down all these thoughts, I’m ready to collapse into the best nap ever. –Sam
That is until the nonprofit K-9s For Warriors helped him find his missing link — a rescue dog appropriately named Link.
K-9 For Warriors has been pairing highly trained service dogs with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma since 2011. The free program strives to better the lives of veterans through special canine bonds and ultimately end veteran suicide, which claims the lives of roughly 20 veterans every day. When Bill returned from deployment, he had to recover from two surgeries and realized he had PTSD. He had developed severe alcoholism, drinking every day nonstop as his only coping mechanism. In a hopeless place, the Marine felt like he was losing every piece of his identity and had nothing left. After seeing a friend at the VA bring in his service dog, he noticed a remarkable change in him and decided to apply for the program. Bill felt an instant connection to the goofy rescue dog Link, who was recovering from his own trauma after living a rough life in a kill shelter. Bill said his canine companion is his 24/7 therapist, providing him with support and safety at all hours. Link doesn’t just impact Bill’s life; he makes a difference with everyone he encounters, from Bill’s children to the youth athletes he coaches.
“Together, we kind of make each other whole,” Bill said. “He makes everyone’s world better, and he makes it seem effortless.”
INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 cups uncooked brown rice • 3 cups water • 1 tbsp olive oil • 3 lbs ground turkey
• 3 cups baby spinach, chopped • 2 carrots, shredded • 1 zucchini, shredded • 1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen
Link has inspired Bill to help others and spread a message of awareness that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of strength. Bill has since earned his master’s in social work and provides mental health services with his tail-wagging companion by his side for every session.
Together, the pair are showing veterans everywhere that there is hope and that life can get better with a little help from a four-legged friend.
DIRECTIONS 1. Add rice and 3 cups of water to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. 2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until cooked through, about 35–40 minutes; set aside. 3. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, using a slotted spoon to break apart the turkey as it cooks, about 3–5 minutes. 4. Stir in all vegetables and cooked brown rice. Cook until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated through, about 3–5 minutes. 5. Let cool completely before serving to your pup.
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www.PetersenPetHospital.com
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