At a Veterans Day event in Naperville on November 11, U.S. Army veteran Jim Hertz received a surprise that would significantly impact his life. After months of training an 8-month-old pitbull named Rossy, Hertz learned that the dog would not be going to another veteran, but would instead become his own service dog. This moment marked a new chapter for Hertz, who has struggled with anxiety and other challenges following his military service.
Training Journey with Rossy
For the past four months, Hertz had been under the impression that he was training Rossy to assist another veteran. His wife, Megan Hertz, expressed mixed feelings about the prospect of giving up the dog. She mentioned, “I was like, when he wanted to do it and help out, I was like, OK, but the kids are going to love her. This is wonderful. They’re going to be so excited.”
Hertz is part of K9s for Veterans, a nonprofit organization dedicated to training and providing service dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The organization rescues dogs from high-risk shelters and matches them with veterans in need. Michael Tellerio, President and CEO of K9s for Veterans, explained the bond that develops between the dogs and their handlers: “That dog goes everywhere with the veteran. That dog always has that veteran’s back. He’s never alone. That’s his battle buddy.”
A Transformative Experience
The news of Rossy staying with Hertz brought immense relief. “She has helped me immensely with my anxiety,” he shared during the event. “A room like this is pretty stressful for me right now. The whole bunch of people behind me, not really what I would put myself in by myself. Rossy’s a big help, for sure.”
The American Warrior Initiative, which collaborates with K9s for Veterans, has been instrumental in supporting veterans by matching them with service dogs. Over the past six years, the initiative has helped 430 veterans, with each dog costing approximately $15,000. According to Louise Thaxton, CEO of the American Warrior Initiative, the organization has raised more than $6 million through various fundraising efforts, including substantial contributions from companies like Fairway Home Mortgage.
“The people of Fairway Home Mortgage give almost a million dollars a year just through payroll deduction,” Thaxton noted. She described how many donors opt for automatic deductions to continuously support the cause.
Hertz expressed his eagerness to work with Rossy moving forward, stating, “I’m trying to get her used to other people and other dogs as well. We still have a long way to go, but I’m looking forward to what that looks like.”
As part of their ongoing mission, the American Warrior Initiative plans to provide another veteran with a service dog the following day, demonstrating their commitment to supporting those who have served in the military.
