Service dog has helped U.S. Army veteran regain his life.
National Service Dog Day falls on Sept. 20 and is designed to honor the role of service dogs in the lives of people with disabilities and America's veterans. The day was designated by Congress in 2023 and is part of September’s National Service Dog Month.
We asked you to share how your service dog has impacted your life, so we can share your story with others. We will continue to publish those stories throughout September.
Submit your own story and photo on www.legiontown.org in the “Why I Love My Service Animal” section.
Our latest in the series is from U.S. Army veteran Brian Willard, whose service dog Ollie helps him with his seizures – and much more.
I proudly served in the U.S. Army, where I was entrusted with leading soldiers and making decisions under pressure. After my military career ended because of medical retirement, I faced a new battle – living with autonomic nervous system dysfunction that causes episodes affecting my heart rate, blood pressure, balance and seizures. The transition from leading soldiers to struggling with everyday tasks was one of the most difficult experiences of my life.
Simple things that most people take for granted – going to the grocery store alone, walking through a crowded place, or simply standing too long – became significant risks. My seizures could last up to 15 minutes, and the possibility of collapsing without warning meant I had lost much of the independence I once cherished.
Everything changed when Ollie entered my life through America’s VetDogs.
Ollie is my Seizure Response Service Dog, but he has become so much more than that. Although he was not specifically trained to alert me before my medical episodes, he taught himself to recognize the subtle changes that occur before they happen. For the past six years, Ollie has consistently alerted me approximately five to 10 minutes before an episode begins. Those alerts have given me the opportunity to stop what I’m doing, sit down or lie flat before my condition worsens.
Even more importantly, Ollie’s remarkable observations taught me to recognize my own body’s warning signs. I began paying attention to the moments when his focus on me became especially intense. Over time, I learned to identify what my body was doing – such as my heart rate becoming too high while standing – and take action before my symptoms progressed. Because of Ollie, I became more aware of my condition, and that awareness has helped me prevent many of my medical episodes before they fully develop.
During an episode, Ollie never leaves my side. He remains with me from beginning to end, quietly watching over me until I recover. His calm presence provides reassurance during some of my most vulnerable moments.
While Ollie is an exceptional working dog, he is also one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known. He is incredibly gentle with people of all ages and carefully retrieves anything I ask him to pick up, from everyday objects to his favorite toys. When he’s off duty, he loves to play, happily hopping around like a deer with pure excitement. Only during those play sessions does his goofy, energetic personality fully emerge.
The compliments I hear most often perfectly describe him:
· “He is so well-behaved.”
· “I didn’t even realize you had a service dog.”
· “He never takes his eyes off of you.”
Those comments mean the world to me because they reflect exactly who Ollie is: a professional when he’s working and a loving companion every moment in between.
Most importantly, Ollie gave me back something I feared I had lost forever: my independence.
For the past six years, Ollie has given me the confidence to live life again. Instead of being limited by worries about my next medical episode and the need for additional safeguards or a chaperone, I’ve been able to travel, participate in my community and pursue goals that once seemed impossible.
Today, I race in a custom-built manual wheelchair, and within my first three half-marathons I earned first-place overall finishes. Those accomplishments represent far more than crossing a finish line. They represent reclaiming a life I once believed had been taken from me.
None of this would have been possible without America’s VetDogs. Their dedication to training and placing service dogs changes the lives of veterans every single day, and I will always be grateful for the gift they gave me through Ollie.
I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the SSG Michael Ollis Foundation for sponsoring Ollie’s placement. Ollie was named in honor of Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, who made the ultimate sacrifice while saving others in combat. His courage, selflessness and sacrifice continue to inspire countless people. It is an incredible honor to have Ollie carry his name every day, serving another veteran and continuing a legacy of protecting others. His name is not forgotten, and his legacy lives on through every life Ollie touches.
Ollie is far more than my service dog.
He is my partner, my protector, my teammate, and one of God’s greatest blessings in my life.
Because of him, I didn’t just regain my independence.
I regained my life.
- Veterans Healthcare