Service Dog Helps Marine Combat Veteran Find a New Leash on Life

Jacob Gennrich, a beer in his free hand, looked down at the Marine Corps scrapbooks spread out on his coffee table. His wife Melissa made them for him so he could remember his ten years in the Marine Corps Reserves. The infantry platoon sergeant discharged in 2012. His hands gently grazed over the shiny plastic that protected pictures that told stories of two deployments to Iraq with 2/24 Fox Company out of Milwaukee.

Some of the pictures showed him with Iraqi children. In some, he had a cigar in mouth, taking a break after being on patrol. Others showed him with his fellow Marine comrades; brothers, as he calls them. In the pictures, the young Marines are in full gear, guns in hand, dusty and dirty as the hot Iraqi sun shone down on them. The men looked intimidating, but their young faces reflected a sense of innocence as they looked into the camera. As Jacob talked about his time in the Marine Corps, his eyes glistened and he seemed to be taken to another place and time.

Jacob’s first deployment from 2004-2005 was riddled with constant violence. Fox Company was stationed in the “Triangle of Death.” It was an area in Iraq between Baghdad and Al Hillah and it was targeted frequently by insurgents. Fox Company endured daily intense fire fights. Five Fox Company Marines lost their lives during that deployment.

Jacob’s second deployment to Iraq from 2007-2008 was quieter but still, two more Fox Company Marines died in an IED attack.

Jacob struggled with adjusting back to civilian life. He was angry, hyper-vigilant and struggled with anxiety. His relationships suffered and he was depressed. Melissa urged him to get help at the VA. He was reluctant but he finally went. That is when he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. According to a study done by the VA, 20 out of every 100 veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom have a diagnosis of PTSD.

“PTSD is a label, I didn’t want to be labeled,” said Jacob. “Not many people go through being in fire fights, getting shot at, seeing your buddies die, having to kill people. People do things like that in video games, except we are in a real- life video game and there is no reset button,” said Jacob.

“When people hear that a veteran has PTSD, they think that they are going to go off and start shooting people. We aren’t unsafe; there is a stigma,” said Jacob.

Therapy helped Jacob. However, he continued to struggle and his symptoms still affected his quality of life.

“We would go somewhere, and I could tell he wasn’t there; he wasn’t in the moment, and I wanted more for him,” said Melissa.

Melissa heard that service dogs have been trained and used to help veterans with PTSD. She urged Jacob to apply for one through a nonprofit organization in Madison named Custom Canines.

A Purdue University study found the effects of service dogs on veterans with PTSD improved the veterans’ quality of life by 22%.

Jacob at first hesitated, feeling that there were other more deserving veterans out there who were having a harder time.

“I told him he’s just as deserving as anyone else,” said Melissa.

A few months went by and Jacob and Melissa got word that he was chosen to receive a dog. It was then that they also found out that it was going to be paid for by sponsor.

Jim Taylor, the owner of James R. Taylor and Sons in East Troy, contacted Custom Canines and told them he wanted to sponsor a dog for a veteran. He is not stranger to helping; he also gives away one free roof a year to a veteran in need.

“There are only two people in this world who have given their lives for us and that’s Jesus Christ and the American soldier,” said Taylor.

Jacob was able to meet him last month when a two-year-old German Shepard named Stitches was presented to him at a ceremony.

“We will continue to give as long as we are able. It feels good to give,” said Jim. “Veterans deserve respect, and it is our job to honor and take care of them,” said Taylor.

Jacob has had Stitches for a month now, and he said that she’s already made a huge impact on his life. Melissa notices a difference in Jacob’s demeanor.

“He’s calmer in public places; he seems more present. Stitches helps keep people within a distance of him so he can feel more comfortable,” said Melissa.

Jacob said he will be eternally grateful for the generosity of James R. Taylor and Sons and Custom Canines. He feels like his life will continue to improve in the months ahead because of Stitches.

“Every veteran should have a service dog, they are amazing,” said Jacob. “Veterans fight for your safety overseas; let’s fight for their safety and security at home.”

He hopes that, with Stitches by his side, he can help other veterans get the courage to get help for their PTSD and to help them realize that they are not alone in their fight.