We are delighted to share the news about our newest recipient of a service dog, along with a scholarship for training. This partnership is not only about gaining a loyal companion; it represents a heartfelt journey towards increased independence and emotional support. We understand the profound impact this will have and are committed to providing the best resources for their journey ahead.

Only the span of an ocean could bring her peace.

The trauma was too raw. The social circles too small. The risk of running into the people who ripped her world apart was too great. So, Debbie fled to the Middle East. For 30 years, she built a life half a world away from the pain. But distance doesn’t always mean escape.

When Debbie returned to the U.S., the past was waiting for her. Every crowd —a threat. She shut out the world. She funneled her vibrant, outgoing personality through her keyboard, the screen the only safe window she had left to society.

“I became reclusive, living life through a computer,” Debbie says. “I thought, “I’m going to die inside this house, and no one would even know unless they checked online.””

Enter Lucky.

With Lucky’s gentle presence, Debbie stepped outside—and fear loosened its grip. Life came back in a rush: in-person yoga classes, stained glass workshops, farmers’ markets. She’s reclaiming the decades she lost, everything she missed out on. She doesn’t need an ocean between her and the past anymore—just Lucky by her side.

“Lucky is an oasis of peace for me. She gives me a sense of purpose,” Debbie says. “This is a whole new life, like I’ve been reborn.”

Lucky was raised by James & Jennifer Szabo. Thank you to the Szabo family; your dedication supports our partner Dogs Inc. and Service Dogs Saving Lives.