Jen Yackley & I originally met with Dana (who wrote the story below), her husband Ed & his service dog Rex to hear their story and learn how I can help. They founded an organization called Solder’s 6 whose mission is to provide honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and firefighters with specially trained K-9 dogs. The support they provide these brave individuals is nothing short of amazing and, unfortunately, very needed. We hear from our police officer & firefighter clients with PTSD that the suffering doesn’t end when the job is over and many don’t want the job to end. Dana and Ed’s story is very real, heartbreaking, and a reminder that we must be continuously supportive in any way we can. Please join Meuser, Yackley & Rowland, P.A. in supporting this worthy organization by going to https://www.soldiers6.com/help
Have I really properly introduced you to K-9 Dez? He is incredible and deserves a proper introduction into the Soldier’s 6 family. His story is nothing short of amazing, but I guess it didn’t really hit me until one day when we were grocery shopping. We stopped by Cub Foods for a few things and Ed asked the bakery lady for a certain bread. She was instantly emotional over Dez. He steals the show. He’s a prince and he knows it. Her face was red and she asked if she could pet him. Ed of course said yes and she wanted to know all the things about Dez. So as he told her the story, she was overwhelmed with emotion and lots of happy tears.
Dez has a new purpose in life. Every dog we place, every recipient we help, they have a renewed life, a new purpose. Dez started off life as a squad dog (as we like to refer to it). He was a police K-9. He trained hard everyday and he was loved like no other. He had everything he needed to succeed, but something was missing. Dez was not aggressive. He would not bite. His handler believed in him, just like I believe in his handler. I know his skills and would never doubt his judgement. I know this firsthand as his handler was my brother. I made certain that my brother would never have to say good-bye forever to a dog he fell in love with. I made certain my brother would never carry extra heartache with him through his career, as we all know law enforcement can hurt enough.
So Dez made his way to Minnesota last year. He has been an absolute blessing to our family and has a new found purpose. He is a lover, not a fighter and he instantly bonded with Ed. He is his battle buddy and rarely leaves his side. Unless of course he wants to play ball, then he makes me well aware of what he wants. He has trained alongside Rex and they have become best friends. We are blessed to have him in our lives and he has shown me healing in myself and my journey that has been buried for far too long. After reflecting on Dez and his new purpose, I see this for every dog placed. They all have a purpose and will help their battle buddy heal and rediscover what’s been hidden for so long.
There is life after a career. No matter how long or short it may have been. Dez is proof of that. There is life after being a police dog. 💙 My little squad dog.
Dana Abrahamson
Co-founder (with her husband, Ed) of Soldier’s 6