Image of a veteran posing with his service dog

“I can’t imagine my life without him,” David Crenshaw says of his service dog, Doc.

Sabrina Helas

STANDARDS

Common Core: RH.6-8.1, RH.6-8.2, RH.6-8.4, RH.6-8.7, WHST.6-8.4, RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2, RI.6-8.4, RI.6-8.7, W.6-8.4, SL.6-8.1

NCSS: Individual Development and Identity • Individuals, Groups, and Institutions • Power, Authority, and Governance • Civic Ideals and Practices

U.S. NEWS

Help for Heroes

A new law gives more U.S. veterans access to life-changing service dogs.

As You Read, Think About: How has David Crenshaw’s service dog changed his life?

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.”

Helping a Hero
Watch a video about U.S. Army veteran David Crenshaw and his service dog, Doc.

The PAWS Act

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. 

Serving His Country

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.”

Enlargeable photo of a veteran and their family with service dog all sitting on couch

Sabrina Helas

Doc at home with Crenshaw and two of his daughters

Seeking Help

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.

A Special Bond

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.” 

Words to Know

Iraq War: a conflict from 2003 to 2011 in which the U.S. and its allies invaded and fought for control of Iraq, a nation in the Middle East

Middle East: a region mostly in Western Asia that includes some of Africa (Egypt) and Europe (the western part of Türkiye)

reserve: a group of troops that is ready to serve in an emergency

veteran: a former member of the armed forces

SKILL SPOTLIGHT: Analyzing a Graph

There were nearly 19.4 million U.S. veterans in 2020. What percentage of them served in the Army? 

Enlargeable pie chart showing the veteran dog percent for the different branches of service

Note: Percentages do not add up to 100 because of rounding.

U.S. Veterans by Branch of Service

1%
Other

5%
Reserve Forces*

11%
Marines

17%
Air Force 

21%
Navy

44%
Army

*Includes only those who had active federal military service (other than training) as a result of being in the reserves or the National Guard

SOURCE: National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics

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