This Memorial Day we honor those who have served our country. But the COVID-19 pandemic is posing new challenges to our nation’s veterans, especially those battling mental health issues.
On a farm in rural Virginia, United States Navy veteran Danique Masingill and her team train service dogs for veterans. “We custom train the specific triggers for each veteran,” Masingill says.
The program, Leashes of Valor, aims to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, something Masingill struggles with as well.
“For me it took a long time to get all the pieces into place. It was rough and there’s still crappy days, honestly, like, but that never goes away,” Masingill says, “You just kind of learn how to ride the wave better.”