Larry & Bordeaux
Red, White, and Bordeaux
Larry joined the U.S. Army in 2004 as an outgoing young man. Just a year after completing his basic training, he was deployed to Iraq for a year where he served as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. When he returned home, he spent four more years teaching a basic noncommissioned officer course until his service ended in 2010. But Larry’s sacrifice didn’t end with his military career.
Larry began battling terrifying PTSD symptoms as a result of his service, including panic attacks, nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and depression. Even worse, he felt isolated and ashamed to ask for help. “Once I got out of the military, I did what a lot of service people do. I was drinking a bunch and was in a bad space mentally. With all that, I found myself alone and experiencing a lot of negative emotions. I had this aversion to anything related to my service, and I just wanted to be done with that chapter of my life and pretend it didn’t happen… but it kept popping up,” Larry shared.
In 2009, searching for a lifeline, Larry adopted a lively shelter dog named Lily. “I decided what I really needed at the time was a dog, so I rescued an awesome one. She became a part of my daily existence,” he said. Lily gave Larry love, comfort, and even the courage to open his heart again. Just a year after adopting Lily, Larry met the woman who would become his wife.
With her encouragement, Larry began attending counseling hesitantly. “I was that guy that went to my mental health consultation and told them it was only because my wife wanted me to. I did it for other people over myself,” Larry admitted. While working at the VA helping other veterans access benefits, he finally decided to seek additional help for himself too.
It was a friend who volunteered at Freedom Service Dogs that first suggested the idea of a service dog to Larry. But at the time, Larry wasn’t ready. He was mourning Lily’s passing from old age and was devastated by her loss. He wasn’t sure if he could face that kind of pain again. Two years later, after reflecting on the profound bond he had shared with Lily, Larry realized he was ready for a new chapter filled with love and healing.
That’s when Bordeaux came along.
In the winter of 2024, Larry received the long awaited call that FSD had found his perfect match in an exuberant, goofy pup named Bordeaux. Larry was both excited and nervous to meet his prospective service dog, but most of all, he was brimming with hope.
After completing two weeks of placement class at the FSD facility, Larry brought Bordeaux home with his family for the first time. Bordeaux was custom-trained to perform tasks that help Larry live a more independent life, such as waking him from nightmares, interrupting anxious behaviors, and nudging him back to the present moment. But it wasn’t just Bordeaux’s skills that made the difference—it was the love and companionship he brought.
“Bordeaux spreads joy everywhere he goes. When we pass people in public and they see him, if they weren’t already smiling, they suddenly are. His philosophy is to not take life too seriously… he just wants to have fun,” Larry shared.
Bordeaux quickly became a beloved member of Larry’s family. Together, they play fetch, exercise, and go on outdoor adventures. He also accompanies Larry on work trips, providing much-needed comfort during the stress of traveling. Always attentive and ready to offer a helping paw, Bordeaux can sense the moments Larry needs him most, even when Larry isn’t aware of it himself. “Bordeaux helps me get out of my head. He knows the moments when I’m not doing OK, and he immediately cues that he needs to be closer to me. He gets my attention and brings my focus back to the moment I’m in rather than letting my mind continue to drift,” said Larry.
One day, Larry was taking a bath to relax when his mind began to spiral into panic. He didn’t even realize what was happening until Bordeaux stepped in. “He nudged me in the face with his nose. Then, he put his head down under my arm and lifted it so it was around his neck like a hug. All I could do in that moment was laugh and tell him he was right about me spiraling. It was like him saying, ‘Hey, you don’t need to do this alone.’ It was an eye-opening moment for me because I knew Bordeaux had my back,” Larry shared.
Today, Larry has full trust in his sweet battle buddy. He looks forward to a bright future filled with hope—and hopefully a lot more fishing trips—with Bordeaux by his side. He’s also excited about the new friendships he has made within the FSD community. “When I graduated with Bordeaux, I felt that I became a part of a family rather than just a client of an organization. FSD is a community, and that’s worth supporting,” said Larry. “I would like to thank all the people who were instrumental in creating my life-changing partnership with Bordeaux, from the FSD staff, the donors who made it possible, and the incredible puppy raisers who made Bordeaux the dog he is today.”
June is PTSD Awareness Month. PTSD, anxiety, and depression affect U.S. military veterans and first responders at an alarming rate, and now more than ever, our nation’s heroes need your help. You can support the brave men and women still waiting to be partnered with their life-changing Freedom Service Dog by giving a gift of any amount to FSD today. Dogs make a difference. You can too. Give today!
If you or someone you know are a veteran or first responder struggling with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries, please reach out to Freedom Service Dogs to learn more about how FSD Dogs can make a difference. Call 303-922-6231 or email [email protected] for more information.
Contact Erin Conley at econley@