Meet Karma and Walter: A Story of Healing and Hope š¾šŗšø Karma, a beautiful Akita from Alaska, wasnāt always with her current owner, but fate brought her to Walter, an Army Veteran deeply affected by the wounds of war. After serving several combat tours in Iraq with the First Squadron, Second Armored Cavalry Regiment in 2003, Walterās life was forever changed. He faced intense battles, survived being shot twice thanks to his protective vest, and endured multiple concussions and seizures from IED blasts. Diagnosed with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in 2006, Walter struggled with daily challenges, including anxiety, vertigo, and hyper-vigilance. Enter Karmaāa service dog with an extraordinary gift for healing. Over the past four years, Karma has been Walterās constant companion and protector. Sheās fiercely loyal, particularly when it comes to children and discerning the intentions of strangers. Her intuition is remarkable: š In moments of crisis, Karma steps in.āØOne time, Walter had a dizzy spell in Loweās. Karma held him steady between the shelves and shopping cart, snuggling close until the episode passed. During a panic attack, she climbed onto him, providing the pressure and comfort he needed to calm down. And during an asthma attack, she instinctively ran to grab his inhaler, saving the day. š Relief from hyper-vigilance.āØWalter once avoided crowds, hyper-focused on potential dangers from his time in Iraq. But with Karma by his side, his anxiety eased. Her constant presence helps him feel safe, aware that sheās always looking out for him. š A gift of discernment.āØKarma has an uncanny ability to sense danger and peopleās character. If she feels somethingās off, she barks to alert Walterāa reminder of her protective instincts and her role as his guardian. Walter says Karma has given him a second chance at life. She doesnāt just help with his physical and emotional woundsāsheās his rock, his calming force, and his connection to a world he once felt distant from. Karma isnāt just a dogāsheās a hero in her own right. šŗšø
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