From Combat to Canines

From his early years growing up in The Bronx, NY to his multiple deployments and recruiting duties, Ramon’s journey has been marked by competence, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose.  

Part of his pursuit was a recent step in a unique, exclusive program offered by the West Palm Beach VA known as Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) program.

The PAWS program is a pilot aimed at supporting Veterans diagnosed with PTSD in a nontraditional therapeutic approach. The initiative involves training service dogs as part of a complementary and integrative health approach alongside other Veteran brothers and sisters who walk in the same combat boots to overcome PTSD.  

Veterans, such as Ramon, train the puppies to assist other Veterans, which helps in managing their own PTSD symptoms. Currently, the program is only offered at five VA medical centers around the nation, which includes the West Palm Beach Healthcare System, and is designed to explore the benefits of service dog training as a unique aid to existing PTSD treatments. 

For Ramon, PAWS has played a pivotal role in managing his PTSD and rejuvenated his sense of purpose.

Ramon’s military career began in the U.S. Marine Corps infantry, where he spent twelve of his thirty years serving in the middle of bombings and gun fire left and right. From being stationed at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba (Gitmo), Afghanistan post-9/11, to other parts of the middle east, and continents around the world, he witnessed moments his mind will not allow him to forget.

The trauma from these experiences, coupled with a tumultuous upbringing left deep scars. He says, "I had a real rough childhood, witnessing a lot of horrible things."  

With the weight of these experiences and the loss of his mother months before deployment, this was a pivotal moment that profoundly impacted his mental health. 

Different from his structured military non-stop schedule, when life slowed down, he was haunted by the loss of his mother and the horrors of war as he adjusted to being back home.  

That is when the PAWS Program brought better days ahead.  "PAWS, with its VA involvement, seemed like it could be for me because I like dogs and working with Veterans; people who understand you. I always liked dogs, and seeing service dogs with Veterans intrigued me," he explained.  

Training service dogs for fellow Veterans allowed him to see firsthand the incredible impact these animals could have. 

"Seeing a service dog in action, like alerting a Veteran during a fire alarm drill, was incredible! It showed me the profound difference these dogs can make," he recounted. 

Throughout his time training the service dogs, he experienced several significant moments that reinforced his belief in the healing power of service dogs, "Working with the dogs and handling them, seeing them respond to commands, was a breakthrough for me," he said.  

These experiences not only provided him with practical skills but also offered emotional and psychological relief. 

The no longer reliant medication Veteran shares, "It gave me purpose again. My PTSD episodes became shorter, and my anxiety levels dropped significantly. It made me feel good to be involved in something that helps others.” 

Ramon’s advice to other Veterans considering the PAWS program is clear: "Don't hesitate. Don't wait until it's too late. Working with dogs gives you purpose and helps your mental health. It's a symbiotic relationship, much like in the military, where we rely on each other." 

His story stands as a testament to the transformative power of the PAWS program and the hope it offers to Veterans seeking to overcome the shadows of their past. 

Find your purpose with PAWS: 

Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS) | VA West Palm Beach Health Care | Veterans Affairs.