Veteran hugging a service dog

Sabrina Helas

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Helping a Hero

Veteran David Crenshaw says his service dog, Doc, helped save his life.

November 7, 2022
By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read, Think About: What are some ways service dogs help veterans? 

Sabrina Helas

David Crenshaw remembers how nervous he used to get in crowded places, like movie theaters and planes. 

“My palms would sweat,” he recalls. “I’d feel out of control.”

Crenshaw, a U.S. Army veteran, had served overseas in a war zone. The experience left him feeling constant anxiety—even years after returning home. He had trouble sleeping and always seemed to feel on edge. 

In 2015, doctors told him he had post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. People can develop PTSD after going through something very scary or dangerous. They may feel intense sadness, anger, or fear. A study by the U.S. government found that up to 20 percent of recent veterans have PTSD.

But Crenshaw no longer worries about being in crowds or getting a good night’s rest. That’s because his service dog, Doc, is almost always by his side. 

“Doc senses when there’s something wrong,” Crenshaw explains. “He throws himself in my lap and gives me hugs and kisses. He calms me down.”

David Crenshaw remembers how nervous he used to get in crowded places. This included movie theaters and planes. 

“My palms would sweat,” he recalls. “I’d feel out of control.”

Crenshaw, a U.S. Army veteran, had served overseas in a war zone. The experience left him feeling constant anxiety. He even felt that way years after returning home. He had trouble sleeping. He also seemed to always feel on edge. 

In 2015, doctors told him he had post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. People can develop PTSD after going through something very scary or dangerous. They may feel intense sadness, anger, or fear. A study by the U.S. government found that up to 20 percent of recent veterans have PTSD.

But Crenshaw no longer worries about being in crowds. He also doesn’t worry about getting a good night’s rest. That’s because of his service dog, Doc. The pup is almost always by Crenshaw’s side. 

“Doc senses when there’s something wrong,” Crenshaw explains. “He throws himself in my lap and gives me hugs and kisses. He calms me down.”

Serving Our Country

Crenshaw joined the military in 2000, when he was 17. He was later deployed to fight in the Iraq War (2003-2011) and spent about 14 months in the Asian country. As a military police officer, his job was to protect generals and other high-ranking officials from enemy attacks.

Crenshaw’s military duty didn’t end there. After returning home, he taught at a military training facility in New Jersey.

Then, in 2015, Crenshaw noticed that he wasn’t feeling like himself. He would get overly stressed and anxious and have terrible nightmares.

“I’d wake up in the middle of the night in pools of sweat,” he says. “I felt like I was back in combat.”

Before long, Crenshaw was diagnosed with PTSD.

Crenshaw joined the military in 2000. He was 17 years old. He was later deployed to fight in the Iraq War (2003-2011). He spent about 14 months in the Asian country. He was a military police officer. His job was to protect generals and other high-ranking officials from enemy attacks.

Crenshaw’s military duty didn’t end there. After returning home, he taught at a military training facility in New Jersey.

Then, in 2015, Crenshaw noticed that he wasn’t feeling like himself. He would get overly stressed and anxious. He would also have terrible nightmares.

“I’d wake up in the middle of the night in pools of sweat,” he says. “I felt like I was back in combat.”

Before long, Crenshaw was diagnosed with PTSD. 

Sabrina Helas

Doc snuggles with David Crenshaw and his daughters Bradley (middle) and Charli.

Seeking Help

Crenshaw struggled to manage his symptoms over the next few years. Eventually, he reached out to K9s For Warriors for help. The organization in Florida is one of dozens nationwide that connects veterans with service dogs.

K9s For Warriors trains dogs to help calm veterans with PTSD during stressful times. For example, the pups may wake up their owner during a bad dream.

In 2019, Crenshaw was paired with Doc. The Labrador retriever and German short-haired pointer mix had been rescued from a shelter and trained as a service dog. Crenshaw says his life changed the minute he met Doc.

“Doc gives me purpose,” he says. “I can’t imagine my life without him.”

Crenshaw wanted more veterans with PTSD to have their lives transformed by a service dog. Last year, he urged members of Congress to pass a law that would do just that. The law is called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act, or the PAWS Act for short. 

It went into effect this past January. The law allows veterans with PTSD to help train service dogs for eight weeks. Each veteran can then adopt the pup they helped train. 

“The PAWS Act is a win for veterans,” Crenshaw says.

Crenshaw struggled to manage his symptoms over the next few years. Eventually, he reached out to K9s For Warriors for help. The organization is in Florida. It’s one of dozens nationwide that connect veterans with service dogs.

K9s For Warriors trains dogs. They learn to help calm veterans with PTSD during stressful times. For example, the pups may wake up their owner during a bad dream.

In 2019, Crenshaw was paired with Doc. He is a Labrador retriever and German short-haired pointer mix. Doc had been rescued from a shelter and trained as a service dog. Crenshaw says his life changed the minute he met Doc.

“Doc gives me purpose,” he says. “I can’t imagine my life without him.”

Crenshaw wanted to help other veterans with PTSD. He wanted them to have their lives transformed by a service dog. Last year, he urged members of Congress to pass a law that would do just that. The law is called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act. It’s called the PAWS Act for short. 

The law went into effect this past January. It allows veterans with PTSD to help train service dogs for eight weeks. Each veteran can then adopt the pup they helped train. 

“The PAWS Act is a win for veterans,” Crenshaw says.

A Special Bond

It’s been about three years since Doc became a part of Crenshaw’s life. Today, the pup is his constant companion, joining him at his kids’ soccer games, at the grocery store, and on runs. 

Crenshaw now works with K9s For Warriors. He raises awareness about how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD. Crenshaw says Doc led him down this path.

“The credit belongs to Doc,” he says. “I’m just the guy at the opposite end of the leash.”

It’s been about three years since Doc became a part of Crenshaw’s life. Today, the pup is his constant companion. Doc joins him at his kids’ soccer games and at the grocery store. They also go on runs together. 

Crenshaw now works with K9s For Warriors. He raises awareness about how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD. Crenshaw says Doc led him down this path.

“The credit belongs to Doc,” he says. “I’m just the guy at the opposite end of the leash.”

Lending a Paw

Here are a few more ways service dogs and other pups can help their humans.

Shutterstock.com (paw prints, wheelchair)


At Your Service
Some dogs help people who use wheelchairs. The pups might open doors, turn on lights, or pick up things their owner dropped.


Dog Detectives
Specially trained dogs can be lifesavers for people with food allergies. Their strong sense of smell helps them detect dangerous foods.


Canine Companions
Some pups provide comfort for people who are sick, stressed, or feeling down. They may visit schools, hospitals, or nursing homes.

Lending a Paw

Here are a few more ways service dogs and other pups can help their humans.

Shutterstock.com (paw prints, wheelchair)

At Your Service
Some dogs help people who use wheelchairs. The pups might open doors, turn on lights, or pick up things their owner dropped.


Dog Detectives
Specially trained dogs can be lifesavers for people with food allergies. Their strong sense of smell helps them detect dangerous foods.


Canine Companions
Some pups provide comfort for people who are sick, stressed, or feeling down. They may visit schools, hospitals, or nursing homes.


1. What does the author mean when she writes that David Crenshaw “wasn’t feeling like himself”?

2. What are some ways a service dog like Doc can help a veteran with PTSD?

3. What is the PAWS Act? How does it help veterans with PTSD?

1. What does the author mean when she writes that David Crenshaw “wasn’t feeling like himself”?

2. What are some ways a service dog like Doc can help a veteran with PTSD?

3. What is the PAWS Act? How does it help veterans with PTSD?

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