Imna & Shuri
A Salute to Shuri
Nearly every night, Imna woke up screaming—shaken by horrific memories that infiltrated her dreams and stole her peace, even in deep sleep. Daytime wasn’t much easier, as Imna struggled with being alone just as much as she feared being around others. And going out in public? Forget it. The unknown of going out was so crippling that Imna didn’t leave her home unless it was absolutely necessary.
Imna knew who she had become was a far cry from the woman she once was. At just 17-years-old, she felt a greater calling to serve her country and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. For five years, she served active duty where she was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. During her service, she was a part of the 1st Marine Division Rifle and Pistol Teams where she competed in both classes. She was a Marine through and through—tough as nails, a great shot, and incredibly proud of her country. But in serving for our country’s freedoms, she lost pieces of her own liberty and freedoms.
When Imna returned home, she started a job as an Implant Inventory Manager with Veteran Affairs and started a family of her own. But all the while, she struggled immensely with an inner battle with PTSD. “I was living an isolated life. My confidence level was zero to none. I have a young son, and I realized my behavior and how I dealt with life wasn’t conducive to raising him up the right way,” Imna said. For the love of her son, she decided to take a step in the direction of healing.
That’s when she discovered Freedom Service Dogs, and suddenly it felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. In fall of 2024, Imna was matched with a sweet black Labrador retriever named Shuri who is custom-trained to help Imna mitigate her PTSD symptoms by awakening her from her terrifying nightmares, helping her navigate public settings with more confidence, interrupting anxious behaviors, and increasing her independence. Most of all, Shuri’s mission is to be a battle buddy that Imna can always count on.
“Shuri is part of me, and I have been able to travel, go to public events, and enjoy making special memories with my family again because of her.”
– Imna, U.S Marine Corps veteran
“The day I met Shuri, I was nervous and excited at the same time,” Imna shared. “From the moment I met her, my heart filled with so much emotion that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I knew she would make everything better for me. There was just something about her that instantly brought me a sense of relief and calmness, which is something I hadn’t felt in decades.”
After settling in at home together, Imna realized just how much more she could do with Shuri by her side. Shuri goes to work with Imna everyday, and always checks in on her and interrupts anxious behaviors when they arise. At home, she keeps Imna calm and helps her sleep through the night by cuddling her and waking her up when nightmares creep in. Imna added, “She reminds me that I’m not alone and that I can keep an open heart. I can still feel peace while also being confident and strong.”
With Shuri, Imna is now liberated to be the kind of mother, friend, and professional she wants to be, and she feels the freedom and confidence to explore the person she wants to become. Always leading with love for her Marine, Shuri is the hero Imna needed. “She is part of me, and I have been able to travel, go to public events, and enjoy making special memories with my family because of Shuri. I have new confidence, and I feel like I can face this world with a new outlook and be successful in anything I do,” Imna said warmly. “FSD gifted me my life back.”
FSD Dogs like Shuri make a difference, and you can too! When you give a gift of any amount to Freedom Service Dogs, you can help make every day feel like Independence Day for our nation’s heroes. Be an everyday game changer and give today!
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Published 7/10/2025
Contact Erin Conley at econley@