Norman J. Burgess & Benning

Norman J. Burgess & Benning is a 67-year-old Army Veteran suffering from combat-related PTSD due to the time he spent in Vietnam. After he had been out of the workforce for some time, his PTSD symptoms started to increase, at which time he sought help from the Veterans Administration. In addition to the PTSD, this Veteran also suffers from Heart Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, COPD, Gout and Hypothyroidism because of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. The Veteran uses a walker to assist him in walking as a result of the Arthritis and lack of stability. Because of the Veteran’s PTSD and other health issues, a service dog will certainly benefit him with respect to helping him gain a greater sense of trust, an increased sense of safety when interacting socially, picking up items that he drops, helping him with balance issues when walking and most importantly, the special companionship that a service dog can provide. Norman Burgess received Benning in February 2017.