Meet our 2026 graduates

Keith & Paisley

Keith is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran now working as the Director of Operations for an organization dedicated to placing crime victim’s rights into state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution. In his free time, he is passionate about reading, touring historical sites and museums, traveling, and crewing an 1875 steam locomotive.

Keith was matched with service dog Paisley, who is very outgoing in both his personal and professional life. He loves spending time with his favorite human and dog friends, but he’s also very committed to his work.

Paisley will reduce Keith’s PTSD symptoms by alerting to anxious behaviors, performing deep pressure therapy, awakening him from nightmares, decreasing hypervigilance, creating space in crowds, assisting with emotional regulation, and more. He will be essential to helping Keith at work as a vital support system.

Keith can’t wait to welcome Paisley into the family, and is especially excited to travel the world with him. They already have big plans on the horizon, including travels to Europe together next year! This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Bill & Ripken

Bill is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who now works for the Department of Veteran Affairs as a lead claims examiner. When he’s off the clock, he enjoys golfing, listening to music, and serving as a quartermaster/adjunct for his local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.

Bill was partnered with service dog Ripken, who is as dedicated a worker as he is a friend. Ripken loves to learn new things and is always ready for adventure.

Ripken will help Bill mitigate his PTSD symptoms by finding help in times of need, alerting to anxious behaviors, performing deep pressure therapy, creating space in crowds, and more.

With Ripken by his side, Bill looks forward to navigating public spaces with less anxiety, going for more hikes and walks, visiting new parks and trails, and playing a lot more rounds of golf. He also hopes to start sleeping more peacefully, which will in turn give him more energy throughout the day to live his life to the fullest. This team was generously sponsored by Gilda Kaplan.

Willow & River

Willow is a coordinator at Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts in Florida. They love hiking, visiting theme parks, and exploring the outdoors.

They were matched with service dog River, who has a larger than life personality. River is outgoing, passionate about his play time, and has a shared love for adventure and nature.

He was custom trained to help Willow with their mobility challenges caused by EDS and POTS by pressing automatic door buttons, opening and closing doors and drawers, performing deep pressure therapy, interrupting anxious behaviors, finding people or items at home, tugging Willow up to sit, tugging off clothing, and assisting with everyday tasks like laundry. He was also taught to pick up merchandise specifically by the price tag to be of great assistance to Willow at work!

Willow can’t wait to have River by their side as they explore adaptive hiking trails, visit family more often, and visit their favorite spots in Disney. River already has his own name tag waiting for him at Willow’s job, and they can’t wait to have him as a partner as they work on accessibility projects and advocating for people with disabilities. This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Dean & Tucker

Dean is a U.S. Navy veteran living with PTSD. Today, he is an addiction counselor who is highly passionate about fishing, hiking, watching movies, and playing video games.

He is thrilled to be matched with service dog Tucker. Tucker is just as hard working, sweet, dedicated, and loyal as he is handsome.

Tucker was expertly trained to support Dean by alerting to anxious behaviors, performing deep pressure therapy, awakening him from nightmares, creating space in public areas, retrieving items, and more.

Dean can’t wait to start his new life with Tucker, where he envisions the many fishing trips, mountain excursions, sporting events, and concerts they will enjoy together. This team was generously sponsored by the Howard Family Foundation.

Shay & Milano

Shay is a U.S. Navy veteran living with PTSD. She has worked for the VA and also enjoys shopping at farmers markets, attending craft shows, and going to concerts.

Shay was partnered with service dog Milano, who is serving as a successor to Shay’s first FSD Service Dog, TipToe, who is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Milano, who was named after the cookie, is just as sweet as her name suggests.

She will help Shay with functionality and independence in her daily life by retrieving items, awakening her from nightmares, performing deep pressure therapy, pressing automatic door buttons, creating space in crowds, and more.

Shay can’t wait to have Milano by her side as they travel to new places, get out in public, and attend sporting events together.

Ricardo & Brooks

U.S. Army veteran Ricardo is a venue services specialist who enjoys watching movies, eating good food, and spending quality time with his children.

He was matched with service dog Brooks, a dog who has never met a stranger. Brooks is a hard working, dedicated service dog, but he also loves to be silly, affectionate, friendly, and outgoing.

Brooks was trained to help mitigate Ricardo’s PTSD symptoms by alerting to anxious behaviors, providing comfort and security in times of stress, performing deep pressure therapy, creating space in crowds, and more.

Ricardo has already felt more comfortable in public and large crowds with Brooks as his partner, and he can’t wait to start taking his new battle buddy to the gym, Garden of the Gods, and sporting events.

Isabella & Wasabi

Isabella lives with autism and is currently studying apparel and design, specifically for women’s outdoor gear. She is also highly passionate about sewing, knitting, making art, hiking, reading, and competitive mountain biking. She even teaches sewing classes to children in her community!

She is thrilled to be matched with service dog Wasabi. Tiny but mighty, Wasabi is an outgoing, silly, and energetic pup who loves new adventures, spending time with her friends, and long cuddle sessions.

Wasabi was custom-trained to help Isabella live with more independence and deepen her connections with others by interrupting anxious behaviors, performing deep pressure therapy to ground her during stressful moments, nudging her back to the present moment, retrieving items, breaking the ice during conversations with new people, and more.

Isabella and Wasabi look forward to getting out in nature, attending mountain bike competitions, traveling, and getting out in public together. Isabella is also looking forward to bringing Wasabi along to the classes she teaches. This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Mallory & Thistle

Mallory is a school resource officer with the Littleton Police Department. When she’s not supporting students at a Colorado high school, she enjoys reading, exercising, going to concerts and sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.

Mallory was partnered with facility dog Thistle, who will become the first facility dog to be matched with a school resource officer in Littleton! 

Thistle looks a little different than most Freedom Service Dogs because he’s a cross between a Newfoundland and a golden retriever. While he may bring a little more drool and size than our average assistance dog, he also brings an enormous heart and a gentle spirit that make him perfectly suited for his role in providing therapeutic support to students.

Mallory and Thistle will help create a welcoming and supportive educational environment for students while strengthening positive connections between youth and law enforcement. This team was generously sponsored by Christine Duca.

Jeffrey & Oberyn

Jeffrey is a U.S. Air Force veteran, a movie enthusiast, and a world traveler ready for his next biggest adventure with service dog Oberyn. 

Oberyn is incredibly dedicated to his work and a fast learner, but off the clock, he is silly and deeply bonded to his people. He is proudly following in the paw prints of Jeffrey’s first Freedom Service Dog, Cello, who is enjoying a well-deserved retirement. 

Oberyn will help Jeffrey mitigate his PTSD symptoms by creating space in crowds, grounding him during stressful times, providing light brace and balance, tugging off articles of clothing, finding help in times of need, helping facilitate interactions with the public, and picking up dropped items.

Jeffrey can’t wait to have Oberyn by his side as they go to the theater, travel, and spend cozy nights at home together. This team was generously sponsored by The Ken W. Davis Foundation.

Meg & Boggle

A devoted dog lover and family-oriented person, Meg enjoys lake days, cheering on the USA Women’s Soccer Team, and spending as much time as possible with loved ones.

Meg is thrilled to be partnered with service dog Boggle, a playful, loving, and hard working boy who is deeply devoted to his people. Together, they will navigate Meg’s mobility challenges with Boggle’s assistance retrieving dropped items and her medicine bag, opening doors and drawers, providing light brace and balance support, opening doors and drawers, offering comfort and assistance during medical appointments, and helping Meg gain greater freedom and independence in her daily life.

Meg is deeply thankful to the FSD community and is looking forward to sharing new adventures with Boggle, from family beach trips to sunny days at the lake. This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Jackson & Frankie

Jackson is a passionate sports fan who enjoys attending baseball games, playing video games, and listening to music. Jack is a recent graduate and works at a dog groomer. Jackson dreams of one day working in statistics and recruiting for a professional sports team. 

Jackson lives with a rare genetic disorder and autism and found his perfect partner in service dog Frankie. Frankie is one of the most easygoing dogs you will ever meet. But don’t let her fool you—she’s also a highly-skilled service dog ready to make a meaningful difference in Jackson’s life.

From performing deep pressure therapy, to helping him find help in times of need, picking up dropped items, and nudging him back to the present moment, Frankie offers steady support, independence, and a sense of calm. 

One of Jackson’s biggest goals is to visit every MLB stadium, and he’s excited to have Frankie by his side for every stop along the way. This team was generously sponsored by Quick-Tag and The Hillman Group.

Nicolette & Neely

Nicolette is a dedicated mother and wife who loves spending time with her family, cooking, watching movies, and exploring photography. 

A U.S. Army veteran, Nicolette was proudly partnered with service dog Neely to help mitigate her PTSD symptoms and navigate daily life with greater confidence and peace of mind. Neely is as sweet as they come, a loving partner, and an expert cuddle bug with an important job to do. 

Neely will support Nicolette by retrieving items, guiding her to safe spaces in crowds, performing deep pressure therapy, finding help in times of need, interrupting anxious behaviors, and more.

With Neely by her side, Nicolette looks forward to spending more time in public, making new memories with her family, adding more movement to her daily routine, and embracing opportunities fearlessly and with greater freedom. This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Lindsay & Quirkle

Lindsay serves as the Director of Operations and Special Education Coordinator at an expeditionary school in Colorado. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, hiking, soccer, singing, and spending time with family and friends. 

To further enrich the support she provides to her students, Lindsay was matched with facility dog Quirkle. Quirkle is incredibly sweet and gentle. He’s also a proud father, having sired his first litter earlier this year! 

Quirkle will work with Lindsay to provide therapeutic support to students by performing deep pressure therapy, interrupting anxious behaviors, and more.

Lindsay is excited to take Quirkle along on a multi-day backpacking trip and looks forward to having him along on camping trips with her and the students. This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Joe & Aspen

Joe is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran known by all as a generous, trustworthy, and dependable friend, as well as a good cook. Joe’s first Freedom Service Dog Ditto was absolutely life-changing for him and played a significant role in his recovery. Now, Aspen is stepping up to the plate to follow in Ditto’s paw prints. 

Aspen is a spirited, playful girl who has a larger than life personality and an even bigger heart. She will help mitigate Joe’s symptoms of PTSD by helping him get out of the house, increasing his socialization and confidence, easing his anxiety, and providing constant companionship through tasks such as interrupting anxious behaviors, retrieving items, providing calming pressure, and creating space in crowds. Joe is excited for this new chapter and looks forward to continuing walking his path to healing with Aspen by his side. This team was generously sponsored by Brenda and Lars Walberg.

Sunlight

Freedom Service Dog Sunlight beams as much love, warmth, and positivity as her name suggests! She was matched with an individual with autism and will help them live with greater independence and adventure by interrupting anxious behaviors, performing deep pressure therapy, and finding help in times of need.

Nathan & Bear

Nathan is a chaplain for Hopkinsville Fire Department, the Vice President of the Kentucky Federation of Fire Chaplains, who is passionate about animal-assisted interventions. When he’s not caring for others, Nathan enjoys spending time with family, fishing, and gardening. 

Nathan and his department are thrilled to welcome Bear to their team—a gentle giant with a natural ability to make people smile. Bear will be the first facility dog placed with a fire station in the state of Kentucky. 

Alongside Nathan, he will support first responders and community members in moments that matter most, such as providing love and stress relief during fire scenes, public events, counseling sessions, natural disasters, and more. With Bear on the team, Nathan and his department’s positive impact can reach even further. This team was generously sponsored by Christine Duca.

Kyle & Nemo

Kyle is a software engineer and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran living with PTSD. An avid sports fan and outdoorsman, he enjoys camping, fishing, and snowboarding. `

We’re proud to say that Kyle finally found his Nemo! Nemo, who is part of the Finding Nemo litter, brings a bright, outgoing personality and a love of play to everything he does. But beyond his sunny disposition, Nemo is also a highly-trained service dog who will make a profound difference in Kyle’s everyday life by easing his anxiety, creating space in crowds, retrieving items, and providing a steady, reassuring presence wherever they go. Kyle can’t wait to go camping with his new best friend and is excited about the bright future they have together. This team was generously sponsored by Lisa Martin Ross and John Ross.

KG & Bubbles

KG has already made a lasting impact on FSD by raising three puppies in training, including Thunder, Bogner, and Bear.

Now, things have come full circle for KG as he’s been matched with his very own service dog, Bubbles! A part of the Finding Nemo litter, Bubbles is incredibly sweet, affectionate, and loved by everyone she meets. Bubbles will help KG mitigate his symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, POTS, and anxiety retrieving items to reduce dizziness and risk of falls, nudging him back to the present moment to help with cognitive awareness, opening and closing doors and drawers, finding help and items he needs, and creating an overall sense of comfort and joy. This team was generously sponsored by Dr. Marty Pets.

Fischer

Freedom Service Dog Fischer is known to play just as hard as he works! With a perfect balance of playful energy and steady focus, Fischer will assist his human partner, a veteran living with PTSD and panic disorder, by retrieving items, finding help in times of need, providing calming pressure, and being a reassuring presence in public spaces.

Nick & Rockie

Nick is a U.S. Army veteran and former police officer with a passion for visiting historical landmarks, camping, and flight simulations. He is looking forward to attending law school next year and working toward his goal of becoming a law enforcement instructor focused on constitutional rights.

Nick is over the moon to start a new journey with Freedom Service Dog Rockie, who is full of personality and always the life of the party. The perfect match for Nick, Rockie will help him navigate his PTSD, anxiety, and depression by interrupting stressful behaviors, grounding him during panic attacks, creating space in crowds, retrieving items, and boosting his confidence. Nick can’t wait to build their bond as they explore new places, spend time with family, and begin in-person law school classes together. This team was generously sponsored by AnnieMac.