Debby Mielke was treated to a wonderful surprise; she who used to train other veterans' service dogs recently learned that her latest canine student, a black female Labrador Retriever called Olivewas intended for him, reported W.S.A.W..
W.S.A.W.
Inhabitant Merrill in the state of Wisconsin (United States), Debby Mielke was also a soldier. She served in the Marine Corps for 10 years. She raised and trained 7 service dogs who joined veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress.
W.S.A.W.
She dedicated herself to learningOlive for over a year and expected to hand it over to someone else. Little did she know that the recipient was none other than herself.
“ If she senses that I'm starting to get a little anxious in a public place or something, she comes to meshe said about the dog. She's just always there for me if I need to hug something. »
“It was a really great surprise for me”
Debby Mielke was invited, with Oliveto take part in an event organized by the Johnathon Daniel Luoma Foundation. “ Since I'm local, it was just a short drive, and it was a really cool surprise for me “, she says. The said foundation was created Wasaustill in Wisconsin, by Dan And Leslie Luomaafter the suicide of their son in 2016 who had spent 6 years in the US Navy.
Debby Mielke therefore did not expect, when arriving on the scene, to be told thatOlive was going to stay by his side. A moment of intense emotion for the former Navy.
W.S.A.W.
This beautiful story reminds us that assistance dogs can profoundly change the lives of those who accompany them. After spending so much time preparing Olive to help another veteran, Debby Mielke finally discovered that she too was the person the dog needed.