Why My Service Dog Means More to Me Than Words Can Express

An adopted pet gives a homeless veteran a second chance at life

As told to

Aaron Kassraie,

AARP

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Published October 25, 2024

left image shows a man walking by a military helicopter. right image shows a man in a veteran hat sitting with a black dog

Left: Mike Sweeney during his time in the service. Right: Sweeney with his service dog, Storm.

Courtesy Paws of War

Mike Sweeney, 60, West Babylon, New York: U.S. Navy Veteran (1986 – 1996)

After finishing high school, I had little direction in life. I didn't go to college, and I ended up volunteering for military service. A couple of people influenced that decision — my uncle, an Army veteran from World War II who was like a father figure to me, and a family friend, John, who had served in the Navy.

I joined the Navy at 22, and it ended up being the best time of my life. I spent 10 years on active duty, with more than five of those serving at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS America (CV 66). In 1989, we evacuated the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon, and in December 1990, we deployed for Desert Shield, which later turned into Desert Storm. During the conflict, our ship was the only one that operated in both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

I served as a machinist mate of the watch (MMOW), seven decks below the waterline. I helped keep the engine running, provided potable water, maintained air conditioning and supplied steam to the catapults that launched the planes. I was a vital part of the mission.

The Navy made me grow up and become a man. I learned responsibility and attention to detail. Other than my mom, it's been the most important influence on who I am.

Sweeney during his time in the Navy.

Courtesy Mike Sweeney

However, some things happened while I was serving that really affected me. I lost some good buddies. One time, we had a bilge fire in the pump room, and one of my friends couldn’t get out. We had to close the hatch to save the ship, and he was burned on the ladder. Another buddy got spinal meningitis and died on board. We had to fly his body back to the States. Then another friend was in a terrible car accident. He died, and when they brought the car back to the base in Norfolk, Virginia, it was completely wrecked — you couldn’t even tell what kind of car it was. Seeing that mess really made me think about things, and it’s something I’ve never been able to get out of my head.

Memories haunted civilian life

When I transitioned back to civilian life, I was luckier than many veterans. I had a job and a wife, but then everything hit at once. My marriage started to fall apart, and I couldn't shake the memories of the friends I lost during my military service. I turned to alcohol to self-medicate.

Eventually, I became homeless, jumping from place to place for about a year. But three years ago, I turned to Beacon House, an organization that helps homeless veterans, and that’s when I started to get my life together. I went to a lot of counseling, and I still go to this day.

I had wasted all my money when I was at my lowest. I spent everything. But here I am today. I have an apartment, a new car — and perhaps most importantly, my dog, Storm, a 27-pound border collie with some Australian and American shepherd in her. (She just turned a year old in August.) Storm has been the greatest help to me. I can’t say enough about that girl.

The calm after life's storms

When I was about to leave Beacon House, a woman there told me I was entitled to a service dog, and that’s how I found out about Paws of War. They’d just gotten Storm the night before, and when they put her in my arms for the first time, my life changed. It was an instant connection. I knew right then that she was my baby.

There's a story behind why I named her Storm. Back when I was drinking, I always said I’d name my dog Tully after my favorite beverage, an Irish whiskey called Tullamore. But when I finally got a dog, I didn’t want anything to do with alcohol anymore. (I’ve been sober for three years as of July 20.) I chose the name Storm because I’m proud of what I accomplished during my more than 10 years of military service.

Storm's love is unconditional. I come home and there she is, greeting me every time. She’s completely changed my mindset about everything I’ve been through. Now I have something to look forward to when I get home. Like a lot of dogs, she’s better than most humans.

There are good people out there — don’t get me wrong — but I wish more were like the folks at Beacon House and Paws of War. When I first met them, I started doing volunteer work there — whatever they needed. I got involved, met all the staff, and now I’m a full-time volunteer. I can never repay them for what they’ve done for me. I’m blessed and grateful. The people there aren’t just friends; I consider them family. They’ve truly saved me.

mike sweeney gives a command to his service dog, a black border collie mix

Mike Sweeney working with his service dog Storm.

Courtesy Paws of War

The importance of giving back

Working as a veteran advocate for Paws of War means everything to me. (The organization also supports first responders and Gold Star families.) It’s all about spreading awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other issues that my brothers and sisters face when they come back from war. We put the word out that you’re not alone. We’ve been there, and these animals are lifesaving, whether it’s a dog or a cat that Paws of War has rescued. They offer free training and support — it’s an amazing program.

Storm has done wonders for me. She's helping me with my recovery, PTSD and my attitude. Storm knows when I’m sad and comforts me. When I’m happy, she’s right there, too. No matter what, she makes a rainy day feel like a sunny one. Between her and Paws of War, they’ve kept me alive and turned my life around. I’m so grateful and humbled.

If any veterans or first responders are thinking about getting a service dog, reach out to Paws of War and fill out the application. Don’t hesitate. Do it now. It’s a lifesaver. Paws of War has done incredible things for me. I can’t imagine my life without Storm. And God forbid if anything ever happened to her. I don’t know what I’d do — I’d be totally lost.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

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Aaron Kassraie writes about issues important to military veterans and their families for AARP. He also serves as a general assignment reporter. Kassraie previously covered U.S. foreign policy as a correspondent for the Kuwait News Agency’s Washington bureau and worked in news gathering for USA Today and Al Jazeera English. 