# @canineorg on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ75TWwH7KK
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/66986615-canineorg-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/39dac4479f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-06-23T16:55:34.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Canine Companions (@canineorg) — https://gondola.cc/canineorg

## Caption

"My first night at Canine Companions, I sat in the corner with my hat pulled low. 

Even though I had already visited the campus, everything about being there felt unfamiliar. I kept scanning the room. Counting exits, checking doors, making sure I knew where I could go if I needed to get out. 

The truth is, I didn’t want to be there ... but that wasn’t a new feeling. 

For years, I had been avoiding people, avoiding places, avoiding anything that made me feel like I wasn’t in control. After serving nine years in the usairforce, something inside me had changed. I felt… broken. Like pieces of me were missing. 

But after a long wait — more than two years from applying to finally arriving — I knew I had to try. 

That’s when I met #servicedog Bernice. 🐕‍🦺

She wasn’t what I expected at first. Smaller than I imagined. Quiet. Steady. 

But over those two weeks of training, I started to see something different. 

Bernice had a way of noticing what I felt before I said a word. When I got overwhelmed, she grounded me. When I felt that urge to pull away, she kept me present. For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of calm. And something even more important. 

I felt hope. 

I want to be able to go out to dinner with my wife and actually enjoy it. I want to walk into a store without feeling on edge. I want to experience new places without anxiety taking over. 

Bernice is helping me get there. 

She’s helping me put the pieces back together. 

I’ve been going out and doing things I wouldn’t have done without her by my side. There’s been personal growth and challenges. But it’s been worth it." - Jon 💙 

Because of donors like you, Jon received Bernice at no cost. And, your gift helps match our service dogs to #veteran clients like Jon faster.

Every dollar you donate now is automatically matched up to $50,000 - making TWICE the impact. 💪 

➡️ Link in bio to donate today, or visit canine.org/independence26.
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#LeadWithIndependence #servicedogs #donate #donations #fundraiser #fundraising #servicedogsofinstagram #servicedogsofinsta #servicedogsofig #veterans #airforce #ptsd

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 380
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- **Comments:** 11

## Tags

donations, fundraising, servicedogsofinsta, fundraiser, veteran, veterans, servicedogsofig, servicedogs, ptsd, servicedog, leadwithindependence, donate, servicedogsofinstagram, airforce

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