SAN ANTONIO — Learning how to rebuild trust is just one of many ways K9s For Warriors helps veterans reconnect with life post service.
"What we’re really doing is guiding them through the program where they learn how to depend not just on their dog, but the people around them. Prep your mind and give yourself patience and grace, if you can do these things, you can do anything.”
K9s For Warriors is the largest military service dog provider in the country. Every day about 20 veterans lose their lives by suicide. When living a normal life seems impossible, the bond between a military member and their service dog proves there’s always a path forward.
Veteran Danny Onvimala is a Warrior Trainer for the San Antonio Ranch Campus. He went through the program--getting paired with his companion who helps him with their mission to make sure no one is ever left behind, especially after they put away their uniform.
"A lot of people, they see a dog when they see Private. But that's not what Private is, he's part of me, because of Private, I’m more comfortable with sharing what has happened to me,” Danny said.
The military showed Danny his calling is to serve, but after his third deployment, the weight of what he experienced put everything on hold.
“Once I completed my service, did a few tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, you know, places like that, I noticed that I didn't have the ability at that time to allow the world in. And that's just not who I was. I went numb, I wasn't caring about mostly anything which turned my military service into a service of fear. Because when you're in the military, you don't want to get in trouble, so you hide your conditions. You just do the work and suffer in silence,” Danny said.
Like many veterans, Danny tried to cope with his trauma the only way he knew, and it nearly cost him everything.
"I almost became a statistic twice. The thing that got me through was just knowing that I had a responsibility to my children that I couldn't ignore. I wanted to stand up. I want to be a better father. I want to be a better person, you know? And I stopped comparing myself to who I was when I was in the military and recognized who I am today,” Danny said.
Now he is a Warrior Trainer for K9s For Warriors San Antonio Ranch Campus--showing his military family every, they never have to fight alone:
"Some people have not left their house for years, just like myself. And by the time we're done, we see that confidence they're going to the movies, they're going to baseball games.K9s for Warriors, it's not just an organization that gives you a dog. This is truly a family.”
As for Danny’s K9, Private, he made living his purpose possible.
"If he sees me having a nightmare, if he sees me isolating, he gets my attention to bring me back out of that shell. If it wasn't for him, I'd probably still be in a garage right now,” Danny added, explaining how the only place he felt safe for five years was inside of his garage.
He wants his brothers and sisters in arms to know their trauma does not define them.
"You are not by yourself and you don't have to go through this by yourself. I finally feel strong. It’s been a long time. I’m not meant to be a statistic, I’m meant to help people not to become one. That’s what I’m meant to do.”