Help for Heroes

David Crenshaw goes everywhere with his dog, Doc. Crenshaw’s four-legged friend joins him at his kids’ soccer games, at the grocery store, and on runs. 

But Doc isn’t an ordinary pet. He is a service dog that has helped turn Crenshaw’s life around. 

Crenshaw served in the U.S. Army in a war zone in the Middle East from 2004 to 2005. The experience left him feeling anxious—even years after returning home to New Jersey. He had trouble sleeping and was constantly on edge. 

In 2016, doctors told Crenshaw he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People can develop PTSD after going through a terrifying or dangerous situation. They may feel intense sadness, anger, or fear for months or years after the event. 

But with Doc by his side, Crenshaw is able to manage his PTSD symptoms. 

“Doc senses when there’s something wrong,” Crenshaw explains. “He throws himself in my lap and gives me hugs and kisses. He calms me down.”

David Crenshaw goes everywhere with his dog, Doc. Crenshaw’s four-legged friend joins him at his kids’ soccer games, at the grocery store, and on runs.

But Doc is not an ordinary pet. He is a service dog. He has helped turn Crenshaw’s life around.

Crenshaw served in the U.S. Army in a war zone in the Middle East from 2004 to 2005. The experience left him feeling anxious, even years after returning home to New Jersey. He had trouble sleeping. He was constantly on edge.

In 2016, doctors told Crenshaw he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People can develop PTSD after going through a terrifying or dangerous situation. They may feel intense sadness, anger, or fear for months or years after the event.

But with Doc by his side, Crenshaw is able to manage his PTSD symptoms.

“Doc senses when there’s something wrong,” Crenshaw explains. “He throws himself in my lap and gives me hugs and kisses. He calms me down.”

Up to 20 percent of recent veterans have PTSD in a given year, U.S. data shows. Now, as a result of a new law that took effect in 2022, more of them have access to service dogs. 

The law is called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, or the PAWS Act for short. It allows some veterans with PTSD to help train service dogs. Each veteran can then adopt the canine they helped train. 

Before, only veterans with movement impairments, such as blindness or a lost limb, could qualify for a service dog through the government. The PAWS Act was passed after studies showed that veterans with PTSD who have service dogs experience less anxiety and anger and have fewer thoughts about harming themselves. 

Up to 20 percent of recent veterans have PTSD in a given year, U.S. data shows. Now, more veterans have access to service dogs. That is because of a new law that took effect in 2022.

The law is the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act. It is called the PAWS Act for short. It allows some veterans with PTSD to help train service dogs. Each veteran can then adopt the canine they helped train.

Before, only some veterans could qualify for a service dog through the government. Veterans had to have movement impairments, such as blindness or a lost limb. The PAWS Act was passed after studies showed that veterans with PTSD who have service dogs experience less anxiety and anger. They also have fewer thoughts about harming themselves.

Crenshaw joined the Army National Guard in 2000, when he was 17. He served in the Iraq War for about 14 months as a military police officer, protecting high-ranking officials from attacks. 

After returning home, he stayed in the Army Reserve. He also worked as a police officer. But in 2015, Crenshaw noticed that he wasn’t feeling like himself. He would get overly stressed and have terrible nightmares. “I’d wake up in the middle of the night in pools of sweat,” he recalls. “I felt like I was back in combat.”

Crenshaw joined the Army National Guard in 2000, at age 17. He served in the Iraq War for about 14 months as a military police officer. He protected high-ranking officials from attacks.

After returning home, he stayed in the Army Reserve. He also worked as a police officer. But in 2015, Crenshaw noticed that he was not feeling like himself. He would get overly stressed and have terrible nightmares. “I’d wake up in the middle of the night in pools of sweat,” he recalls. “I felt like I was back in combat.”

Crenshaw struggled to manage his symptoms. Eventually, he reached out to K9s For Warriors for help. That group, based in Florida, trains dogs from shelters to be service animals. 

The canines learn specific ways to help veterans with PTSD, such as making space in crowds and warning if someone approaches from behind. 

In 2019, Crenshaw was paired with Doc. The veteran says his life changed the minute he met the dog.

Crenshaw struggled to manage his symptoms. Eventually, he reached out to K9s For Warriors for help. That group is based in Florida. It trains dogs from shelters to be service animals.

The canines learn specific ways to help veterans with PTSD. These include making space in crowds and warning if someone approaches from behind.

In 2019, Crenshaw was paired with Doc. The veteran says his life changed the minute he met the dog.

Today Crenshaw helps K9s For Warriors raise awareness about how service dogs can assist veterans with PTSD. He says Doc inspired him.

“The credit belongs to Doc,” Crenshaw explains. “I’m just the guy at the opposite end of the leash.” 

Today Crenshaw helps K9s For Warriors raise awareness about how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD. He says Doc inspired him.

“The credit belongs to Doc,” Crenshaw explains. “I’m just the guy at the opposite end of the leash.”