Nick & Dijon
Because of Dijon
FSD Service Dog Dijon lives by a simple philosophy: Be present, be joyful, stay close to those you love, and show up with your whole heart every day.
It’s a way of life that has rubbed off on Dijon’s human partner, U.S. Army veteran Nick, who has learned that some of the best teachers have four legs and a wagging tail.
Nick joined the military at just 20-years-old. Stationed in Savannah, Georgia, he served nearly five years active duty and completed five combat deployments, including two in Iraq and three in Afghanistan. He started as an 11C mortarman and worked his way up to a sniper team leader, earning the rank of an E-5 Sergeant.
But it was during Nick’s final deployment that everything changed.
As vehicle commander of a Stryker, Nick was leading a mission across the desolate roads of Afghanistan when they were struck by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was estimated to weigh nearly 800 pounds. At the time, it was one of the largest IEDs to detonate in Afghanistan.
“The night had always felt wrong,” Nick shared. “We knew driving was a bad call. We typically flew to avoid IED threats, but the helicopters were grounded due to weather and intel on a high value target had come in. We had to go.”
With his head exposed as he gave the driver directions, Nick was struck and knocked unconscious by the blast. He sustained a traumatic brain injury and decades worth of guilt and pain that haunted him long after the dust was settled.
After leaving active-duty, Nick continued to serve in the Army Reserve for four more years, training soldiers in marksmanship and land navigation. But when he eventually transitioned to civilian life and left the military to focus on his family and healing, he continued to carry the invisible wounds with him.
“Life was isolating,” Nick said. “I kept my circles small, avoided crowds, and was constantly hyper vigilant. My world was tight and controlled because that’s what felt safe. But it also meant missing out on connection, presence, and peace. The weight of what I’d been through didn’t just affect me—it affected people around me too. I was getting by but not truly living.”
That began to change when Nick discovered Freedom Service Dogs (FSD) and the possibility of having a service dog by his side. In fall of 2024, his dreams became a reality when he got the long awaited call that FSD had found his potential match in a yellow Labrador retriever named Dijon. Without hesitation, Nick booked a plane ticket to Colorado to meet his prospective best friend.
The moment Nick and Dijon locked eyes, it was clear that the pair was meant for one another. Outgoing, affectionate, good-humored, and larger than life, Dijon was full of love and joy that could immediately be felt by everyone in the room. He was the kind of dog you wouldn’t forget. “Dijon was such a goofball, and it was impossible not to smile,” Nick remembered. “And when I learned that Dijon shared a birthday with my daughter—the same daughter my wife was pregnant with at the time of my injury in Afghanistan—the connection hit me deeply. It felt like a sign that it was meant to be.”
While their first visit was short, it gave Nick a sense of hope and excitement he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He anxiously awaited the call that confirmed they were a good match, and sure enough, that call came. Nick knew in his gut that everything was about to change at that moment. Dijon was the missing piece of the puzzle he had been looking for for years.
Together, Nick and Dijon completed two weeks of placement class at Freedom Service Dogs before making their way back home for the very first time as partners. This was just the beginning of something new. Something right. Something game changing for Nick and his family.
“Dijon is my constant companion,” Nick shared. “He never leaves my side. He helps with mobility, calms me in moments of anxiety, and gives me the confidence to be in places I once avoided like crowds, airports, and unfamiliar environments. What once felt overwhelming now feels manageable with him beside me.”
But Dijon’s impact goes far beyond just the physical.
Nick added, “He’s restored a sense of peace and stability in my life. He’s helped me reconnect with my family in ways I didn’t think were possible. Friends, coworkers, even strangers light up when they see him. He brings joy to everyone around him. Most of all, he’s brought back the feeling of connection I thought I’d lost after the military. The kind of bond that makes you feel safe, understood, and not alone.
Dijon is more than a service dog. He’s a healer, a companion, and a reminder that even after the darkest chapter, there is still light ahead.”
These days, you’ll often find Nick and Dijon relaxing on the porch or walking the shorelines of their favorite lake, soaking in the breeze rolling off the water. Dijon takes his time sniffing the air, reminding Nick to slow down and enjoy the little things like birdsong and sunshine. He’s also shown Nick that healing doesn’t have to be lonely. He can always count on his best buddy when times get difficult.
Dijon has also given Nick a renewed sense of independence—a reason to say yes again. “Now that I have Dijon, I say yes to more things, travel, social events, even just going to the store or grabbing coffee. Things that used to feel like a burden are now opportunities. I’m looking forward to doing more of that with him by my side,” Nick said.
For Nick, Dijon is more than a dog. He’s a hero. A loyal friend who’s helping Nick move forward in the face of adversity with confidence, purpose, and hope. Never alone. And never without a smile from his best friend, Dijon.
A Message from Nick:
“I’m endlessly thankful for Dijon and for the incredible people at FSD who brought us together. He hasn’t just changed my life. He’s made my life better for my family, my friends, and everyone lucky enough to meet him.
FSD doesn’t just train service dogs. They build life-changing partnerships. They gave me more than a dog; they gave me a new outlook on life, a renewed connection to my family, and a second chance at living fully. By supporting FSD, you’re helping someone else experience that same transformation. You’re helping someone reclaim their confidence, their freedom, and their sense of purpose.”
If you would like to make a difference for more heroes like Nick, consider giving a gift of any amount to Freedom Service Dogs. Your support, no matter how big or small, allows us to partner more custom-trained service dogs like Dijon with deserving veterans, first responders, and others with disabilities—and all at no cost to them. Give today and join us in giving hope to heroes!
Would you or someone you know benefit from the partnership of a Freedom Service Dog? If so, please contact FSD at [email protected] or call 303-922-6231 for more information.
Published 08/22/2025
Contact Erin Conley at econley@