A decade ago, Staff Sergeant Michael Connors was confined to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (Walter Reed) for 18 months. He was evacuated there due to injuries sustained in the Middle East during his second deployment. When Michael was having mental health struggles, a service dog saved his life and the experience became the impetus to create ConnorsK9-P.A.W.S. (PAWS), a local nonprofit.

Michael had a passion to be in the military and joined the Army straight out of high school. But at Walter Reed, he felt discouraged and was not sleeping; he simply wanted to go back to work, but that was not an option. An occupational therapist encouraged him to visit with a service dog. Michael said “no” every day for two weeks, then finally said “yes.” That night, he slept more than two hours for the first time since arriving at the hospital.

Michael went on to participate in a program to train service dogs; it gave him a positive purpose. Still, he faced battles. While trying to come to terms with being medically discharged from the Army, Michael was at his lowest. A service dog, Megan, intervened and kept him from doing the unthinkable. That moment changed Michael’s life. “She had an intuitive response to stop me,” he said.

After Megan saved Michael, his new life passion began. He attended animal behavior school and worked for organizations certified by Assistance Dogs International, where he learned that waiting times for veterans to receive a service dog was significant, upwards of three to four years. That was too long, Michael thought. “I’m going to do it myself,” he decided.

Fast forward to today. PAWS trains shelter and rescue dogs for about six months before placing with a honorably, medically or generally discharged service member. The dogs get a second chance on life, too.

“We get to save two lives with each matching,” said Michael. The matches are custom, the right dog for each veteran based on physical, medical and mental needs. The dog and vet continue training together as well as with other matches for a year.

According to Michael, veterans miss purpose and comradery the most after serving. Dogs provide purpose, and ongoing training with other veteran and service dog teams offers camaraderie. “It rekindles some positive sides of the military without the trauma side of it,” he shared. Since 2021, PAWS has placed 39 service dogs.

Veterans are the focus of the PAWS efforts, but the organization works with law enforcement, too. There are only two dogs in the state of Colorado certified as law enforcement, mental health, therapy-response dogs: Buddy at the Castle Rock Police Department and Olive at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Both dogs were trained by PAWS.

Beyond the dogs, PAWS organizes recreational outings and peer connection events to help veterans step back into society, feel purposeful and connect with others.

Michael has never turned down a qualified applicant for a service dog despite the significant cost for training and caring for each dog, roughly $25,000.

Twice a year, PAWS hosts fundraising events. The Ruck March each May is a multi-day event to raise awareness for veterans mental health and suicide risk. The Black Ties and Tails Gala held each November honors recent graduate veteran and service dog teams.

PAWS is always in need of ongoing financial support and in-kind donations like tennis balls, treats and food. Auxiliary board members are also needed to help support and coordinate events.

Learn more about PAWS at connorsk9paws.org. Applications for a service dog can be made online. Email Michael at michael@connorsk9paws.org to connect about volunteering or supporting the organization.

 

By Elean Gersack, courtesy photos