PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Eight years — that’s how long Matt Bystedt suffered both physically and mentally before meeting Sarge.
- Army Veteran Matt Bystedt was injured in Iraq in 2012
- Bystedt received a K9 through the K9’s for Warriors Program
“Mentally, it really put me down. Knowing that I came from being able to do anything in any place at any time to just having to sit down and not be able to do things anymore was just mentally draining and physically defeating. It really brought me down,” Bystedt said.
The Army veteran was injured in a training accident while deployed in Iraq in 2012.
Several surgeries took away his ability to enjoy life outdoors and added to his battle with PTSD.
But here we are, outside today, and that is thanks to his new service dog, Sarge.
“It’s nice having him around. The times when I get angry and he’s around it’s very helpful to just have him there,” he said.
Bystedt was connected with Sarge through the K9’s for Warriors Program.
After weeks of extensive training together, he brought Sarge home in mid-November and right in time for the holidays.
Even though the holidays are coming to an end, what Sarge has to offer is gift that will last a lifetime.
“To me, it means a lot. It really does mean a lot to me. It’s trying to give me the ability to get back outside, to get back to doing things that I used to like doing. I’m obviously getting to spend more time with my kid at parks, beaches, and just going out to restaurants again and spending time outside the house,” Bystedt said.
For more information about K9’s for Warriors, visit their website.