“I had just lost a husky to bone cancer prior to me finding Phoebe.  My father new that my previous husky Coda, who I lost to what appeared to be bone cancer. He found Phoebe in Georgetown, IL, we connected at first site and were inseparable.  She was helping me in ways that I was not able to imagine, including riding resting her head on my shoulder when I would drive and was getting anxious or knowing to comfort me when I was feeling depress and letting my demons get to me. She was doing these things already with no training.  It was not until she was about a year old when a Marine Veteran by the name of Sean Conner (who had received a service dog from the program) noticed that his service dog was reacting to my internal issues at the time and mentioned the Mission K9 Warrior, suggesting that I apply. I thought maybe it was fate because the Mission K9 Warrior is in the same town that I found her in as a puppy.  The program normally provides the service dogs but when I applied allowed me to take Phoebe into test. That is where I applied and was accepted into the program and met an amazing man by the name of Dave Hughes, he supported and lead me through every step of the process. The trainer said that normally huskies to not make good service dogs but were willing to test her anyway.  They said the dogs have to get at least an 8 out of 10 on the test and she got a 9.5, the trainer proceeded to tell me that she is different (that she is a golden retriever in a husky body).  She trained for several months and during that time everyone around me (especially my boss and Dave) could notice how it was affecting me by being away from her.   I was getting anxious, irritable, and shutting myself off. She finished her training and the moment I saw her again I could feel a wait lifted. Now she could not just help me at home but help me everywhere I went.  Before Phoebe was trained, she helped me but was limited to home and was not trained to react to certain physical triggers I was having. I was shut off to the world, I did not go to many places, if I did I would wait until I knew the place was almost empty to go there, I did not do a lot of things.  Now, she goes with me everywhere, I have done more things in the past phew years since she was trained than I have ever done 10 years prior to that.  She gave me the strength to take my dad to packed Bears/Packers game with my dad.  She also has helped me to he go to the movies again and also goes golfing with me.  Phoebetruly is my best friend in the entire world and helps me so muchevery day.   When I am inside my own head (going deeper into a hole), Phoebe pulls me out and into the present by jumping up on my lap and licking my face letting or setting her head on my hand. Letting me know that she is there, that I am not alone, that everything is ok, and that she always has my six. 

 I thank Sean, Dave, and everyone else in the Mission K9 Warrior for what they have done.  There are not enough words to describe how this program has helped other veterans and myself. It is truly an amazing what this program has done and is continuing to do for my fellow brothers and sisters.  I am truly grateful!”

Chris Erwin