Veteran smiling with their service dog

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A Hero's Best Friend

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

November 7, 2022
By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read, Think About: How can service dogs help veterans?

David Crenshaw goes everywhere with his dog, Doc. Crenshaw’s four-legged friend joins him at his kids’ soccer games, at the grocery store, and on runs. 

But Doc isn’t an ordinary pet. He’s a service dog that’s helped turn Crenshaw’s life around.

Crenshaw served in the U.S. Army in a war overseas. The experience left him feeling anxious—even years after returning home to New Jersey. He had trouble sleeping and was constantly 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 shows that up to 20 percent of recent veterans have PTSD.

But with Doc by his side, Crenshaw is able to manage his PTSD symptoms. 

“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.”

Thanks to a new U.S. law, more veterans now also have access to service dogs. The law is called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act. It’s nicknamed the PAWS Act. The law allows veterans with PTSD to help train service dogs for eight weeks. Each veteran can then adopt the canine they helped train.

David Crenshaw goes everywhere with his dog, Doc. Crenshaw’s four-legged friend joins him at his kids’ soccer games and at the grocery store. They also go on runs together. 

But Doc isn’t an ordinary pet. He’s a service dog. And he’s helped turn Crenshaw’s life around.

Crenshaw served in the U.S. Army during a war. The experience left him feeling anxious. He even felt that way years after returning home to New Jersey. He had trouble sleeping. He was also constantly 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 shows that up to 20 percent of recent veterans have PTSD.

But with Doc by his side, Crenshaw is able to manage his PTSD symptoms. 

“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.”

A new U.S. law is helping other veterans get service dogs. The law is called the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act. It’s nicknamed the PAWS Act. The law allows veterans with PTSD to help train service dogs. They work together for eight weeks. Each veteran can then adopt the canine they helped train.

Sabrina Helas

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

Serving Our Country

Crenshaw joined the U.S. military in 2000, when he was 17. He later spent 14 months fighting in a war in Iraq, a country in Asia. As a military police officer, his job was to protect high-ranking officials.

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

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

“I’d wake up in the middle of the night in pools of sweat,” he recalls. “I’d feel out of control.”

Crenshaw soon found out that he had PTSD. 

Crenshaw joined the U.S. military in 2000. He was 17 years old. He later spent 14 months fighting in a war in Iraq. That’s a country in Asia. He was a military police officer. His job was to protect high-ranking officials.

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

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

“I’d wake up in the middle of the night in pools of sweat,” he recalls. “I’d feel out of control.”

Crenshaw soon found out that he had PTSD. 

Sabrina Helas

Seeking Help

In time, Crenshaw realized that he needed help. So he contacted K9s For Warriors. The organization is one of dozens nationwide that connects veterans with service dogs.

K9s For Warriors teaches dogs to help calm veterans with PTSD. They may wake up their owner during a bad dream or lay their head in the veteran’s lap to cheer them up.

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.”

In time, Crenshaw realized that he needed help. So he contacted K9s For Warriors. The organization is one of dozens nationwide that connect veterans with service dogs.

K9s For Warriors teaches dogs to help calm veterans with PTSD. They may wake up their owner during a bad dream. They may also lay their head in the veteran’s lap to cheer them up.

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. He was then 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.”

A Special Bond

Today, Crenshaw works with K9s For Warriors. He raises awareness about how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD. He also travels the country pushing for laws like the PAWS Act. 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.”

Today, Crenshaw works with K9s For Warriors. He raises awareness about how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD. He also travels the country pushing for laws like the PAWS Act. 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
Canines can be lifesavers for people with severe food allergies. Their strong sense of smell helps them detect dangerous foods.


Canine Companions
Some pups provide comfort when people are sick, stressed, or sad. Many 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
Canines can be lifesavers for people with severe food allergies. Their strong sense of smell helps them detect dangerous foods.


Canine Companions
Some pups provide comfort when people are sick, stressed, or sad. Many visit schools, hospitals, or nursing homes.

  1. What is the PAWS Act? How does it help veterans with PTSD?
  2. What does the author mean when she writes that David Crenshaw “wasn’t feeling like himself”?
  3. What is the section “A Special Bond” mostly about?
  1. What is the PAWS Act? How does it help veterans with PTSD?
  2. What does the author mean when she writes that David Crenshaw “wasn’t feeling like himself”?
  3. What is the section “A Special Bond” mostly about?
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