Graduated: 22 Oct 2022

When we claim that the Rescue for PTSD is a family, we do not mean that metaphorically. Just try and keep up with all the levels of familial connection in Joe, Drake, and Porter’s story!

Joe came to Team Rescue by way of service dog Independence’s mom, Alisha. She and Joe have a beautiful family of girls and pups that came to our Group Program together month after month.

Drake is Joe’s right-hand man and has been for years. This pair have worked incredibly hard to earn their service dog vest and graduation!

Drake was hesitant to get involved at first, but once his little sister Inde started loving class, he couldn’t let her show him up! He had to get in gear and earn his vest, too! Now he rarely goes anywhere without her and vice versa, as all of his photos evidence.

But that’s not the end of the story! Drake is nearing retirement and needs some relief from his duties from time to time. It just so happens that Independence has a twin brother – Porter! What better backup for Drake and Joe than Inde’s own brother?! Porter is nearly as massive as Drake and can learn from the best. Even better than that, he gets to spend his life of service with his best friend and sister.

Drake and Porter flank Joe everywhere he goes, even down the hallways of his home. Drake doesn’t mind a bit having Porter shadow him. There’s not an ounce of jealousy or competition between these rock stars. A real brotherhood has formed between these two men in service of their dad, Joe, and the love shared in this family is more than we could have ever hoped for.

“I can’t say enough about the Rescue for PTSD. Having already had a GSD for several years, I had a great desire to have Drake trained as a Service Dog. Although we initially started out very hesitant due to past experienced, the Rescue for PTSD encouraged us to get outside of our comfort level and grow as a team. It was truly difficult to come in for the first time. But seeing how Drake reacted to my anxiety during the initial training classes, I knew this was the place for us. The small class size offered an environment where we felt safe, and the interactions of the other veterans, volunteers, and staff were truly caring. This environment allowed me to focus more on Drake, rather than my anxiety levels due to the things around me. Thanks to the Rescue for PTSD, we now have a place to relate to others, care for others, and a sanctuary where I know I am not the only one out here who struggles. Since Drake and I have become a team, we go everywhere together, including places I wouldn’t have even considered in the past.”

Porter’s training and care have been graciously sponsored by Sierra Container Group. Sponsorships allow the Rescue for PTSD to provide all service dogs to our Veterans completely free of charge. Thank you to Sierra Container Group for allowing us to give Porter a forever home and Drake and Joe a new service brother! To learn more about our Sierra Container Group, click on their logo below. To become a sponsor like Sierra Container Group and help sponsor an incredible family like this one, click here!