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Marine veteran Anthony Longo is keenly aware of the internal battles that many veterans face since leaving the combat zone. He also experienced the healing that can come from having “men’s best friends” as a companion.
That’s why Longo, who worked in Fallujah, Iraq and won the Order of Heroism in Afghanistan, founded the Warriors Choice Foundation in 2016 with a mission to help veterans heal.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Longo explained that he doesn’t rely solely on a one-size-fits-all approach to drug therapy and treatment, but he takes care of individual veterans through counseling, wellness retreats and truly unique treatments called “cognitive K9 rehabilitation.”
Through the Warriors Choice K9 Rehabilitation Program, the group is specially raised with veterans and Belgian Marinois Breed Service Dogs and trained to help people suffering from PTSD and other combat-related mental health challenges.
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Through the Warriors Choice K9 Rehabilitation Program, the group will coincide with veterans and specially bred and trained service dogs to help people suffering from PTSD and other combat-related mental health challenges. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Spc. MatthewA. Foster and Warriors Choice Foundation)
Since 2018, Warriors Choice has supported 72 veterans and has matched 46 with their service dogs.
The group raised a service dog named “Trump.” Longo said he was “the best” and the hardest thing to let go. “Trump,” the service dog is now a veteran of a 20-year special operation, and Longo said he “feels that he feels he is ‘blessing’ that he has passed through that person.
“You’re seeing a perfect life moving 180 degrees in a new direction,” he said. “It’s a human best friend for a reason. I can thank so much more dogs than humans. And having that connection and the ability to work together through complex issues was perfect.”
While the K9 treatment program is not for everyone, Longo said he has changed the lives of veterans and has seen incredible results.
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The ones depicted on the left and right are the service dog “playing cards.” Longo said Trump is “the best” and the hardest thing to let go. “Trump the service dog now joins a veteran of a 20-year special operation, and Longo feels “blessed” to be part of “the dog passed through the man.”
Sitting by his side during the interview, he said that his own K9 companion, “Bourbon,” said he “set the tone” on his own healing journey.
“I think the dynamic between the handler and the dog just adds a greater sense of responsibility beyond yourself,” he explained. “There were times when I was completely isolated and I didn’t have to do anything and someone wanted to have to take the dog with me. Someone has to put food on the table. There are times when I have to do it. I have to train.
Beyond that, Longo explained that Bourbon helped him to “really understand what I need for myself.”
Longo said fighting issues like veteran PTSD and suicide can feel like “trying to move the mountains,” but he explained that the need isn’t even urgent. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die from suicide, according to Warriors’ choice.
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Warriors Choice Foundation Service Dog in Action. Longo said, “At the end of the day, you are here for your brother, not for yourself.” “You’re here to provide the opportunity and opportunity to reach out to someone for help.”
“At the end of the day,” Longo said, “You are here for your brother, not for yourself.”
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“You’re here to provide someone with the opportunity and opportunity to reach out to help. And all you have to do is give your best efforts to support them at the time you need them because you were with them, because you were with them, because you were with them, because you were with them, because you were with them, and because you were with them.
“I can’t do it without success that relates to it. It’s watching the guy get off the ground.”
Longo urged veterans struggling with PTSD to reach out and said, “I will help you communicate with you and map out what will be the best path and direction.”
Peter Pinedo is a political writer for Fox News Digital.
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