For many American Heroes returning from service, the battle doesn't end when they come home. For Bucky, a former U.S. Navy corpsman who served from 2012 to 2021, the darkest moments came after his military career ended. But through the remarkable bond with his professionally trained PTSD service dog Creed, Bucky rediscovered his purpose in life.
The Descent into Darkness
After leaving the military, Bucky took a position as a correctional officer, an environment that only exacerbated his struggles.
"I was avoiding stressors, triggers, and sleep. I was working in an environment that constantly exacerbated those, and I was consumed by it. I lived at work because I wanted to avoid going home to sleep, and I was abusing stimulants to keep myself awake," Bucky recalls.
This destructive cycle eventually reached a breaking point in January 2023, when he attempted to take his own life. That crisis became the catalyst for change. Bucky checked himself into the VA for nine months of intensive inpatient care, determined to build a foundation for a better life.
Finding Northwest Battle Buddies
During his treatment, a peer support specialist provided information about service dog providers across the nation. Something in that moment spoke to Bucky.
"I don't know what it was, but that was like a calling to me, like a sign that this is what I wanted. I've always loved the connection between humans and animals," Bucky remembers.
After researching numerous organizations, Northwest Battle Buddies stood out not just for their responsiveness, but for the genuine care in their mission. While many organizations had long waitlists or wouldn't work with out-of-state Veterans, one of NWBB’s staff members responded immediately to establish Bucky's eligibility and readiness for the program.
The Transformative Training Experience
In January 2024, Bucky flew to Washington state for the five-week training program with Creed. While he was nervous, he quickly discovered he didn’t need to be — the NWBB team was there to help every step of the way.
"Going through the training, you always had the sense that you were in the right hands — you were in capable and competent hands with both the trainer and Ms. Walker," Bucky says.
Not only that, but the program itself was thorough and straightforward. As Bucky explains, “The training process was broken down so anyone could understand the requirements and standards. The hardest part was just showing up. Everything else was streamlined, it was very easy to follow and informative.”
And for a Veteran who had struggled to follow through on commitments, completing the training represented a powerful personal victory.
"It was the first time in so many years that I followed through with something to the end of it," Bucky states.
Life with Creed: A New Beginning
From helping with night terrors to interrupting escalating emotions, Creed provides constant support that has transformed how Bucky navigates daily life.
"I'm not scared to go to bed anymore because I have Creed next to me, and I'm not scared of these night terrors anymore," Bucky shares. Creed is trained to wake Bucky up during these terrifying episodes — to do this, Creed jumps on top of Bucky, pushing on his chest. This literally grounds Bucky, waking him up while calming him down simultaneously.
In another powerful example, Bucky retells how Creed intervened during an argument with Bucky's brother when it began to get physical:
"Creed just ran probably like 20, 30 feet and just tackled me to the ground and started licking my face...It gets me to calm down. And it was so weird because I've never had anything like that happen to me. And it was amazing because within seconds I was happy, fine, I apologized to my brother, and we carried on."
But Creed’s positive impact on Bucky’s life doesn't end there. According to Bucky, Creed's presence has dramatically improved his social interactions, allowing him to rebuild both friendships and romantic connections he once avoided. The daily structure required for Creed's care has also instilled a powerful sense of accountability in Bucky's life.
“It's a higher sense of responsibility. I have to show up, and not only for me, but for him,” Bucky explains.
Finding Purpose Through Service
Bucky’s partnership with Creed has helped him find meaningful work helping other Veterans. He now serves as a case manager for the HOPE (Housing Outreach-to-Placement Effort) program at Volunteers of America Massachusetts, working directly with homeless Veterans — which he says wouldn’t have been possible without Creed.
Creed has also become an unexpected asset in this work, and helps other Veterans feel more comfortable opening up.
"They see me as a disabled Veteran because I have my service animal. They're more open to wanting to communicate and develop this rapport with me because of that," Bucky explains.
This newfound stability has even given Bucky the confidence to start his own gardening business, with dreams of eventually employing fellow Veterans.
"I finally want to build something that will live on past me, that's bigger than me. And that's because of Creed. Without Creed, I wouldn't have the confidence to go and do these things. I would be incompetent and sit in my house," Bucky shares.
In addition to his partnership with Creed, Bucky has another relationship to thank for his success: “It's all possible through God because all things are possible through him…He has saved me.”
Advice for Fellow Veterans
For American Heroes considering a service dog, Bucky offers thoughtful advice:
"Make sure you can take care of yourself before you take on an animal — whether it's a routine, whether it's working out, or addressing your diet." And if fellow Veterans are able to do that, Bucky urges them to contact Northwest Battle Buddies. "I say go for it all day. Take the chance, take the risk. You have nothing to lose at this point," he says.
Bucky's journey with Creed illustrates the life-changing impact service dogs can have for our American Heroes. For Bucky and many other Veterans who reach out to Northwest Battle Buddies, what began as a last resort became the foundation for a whole new life of purpose, connection, and hope.
Your generosity today can transform a Veteran's tomorrow. By joining Operation Never Quit, becoming a Pledge-A-Pup partner, or making a one-time donation, you're not just supporting our mission — you're offering hope and healing to American Heroes who've given so much. Today, you can be the difference they're waiting for.