Mike is a retired/ disabled combat veteran. His years of retirement reflect time of combined services. He served in the US Navy from 1989 until 1996 with a brief break in service. He also served in the US Army from 2001 until retirement in 2004. During his time in the Navy, he made several deployments overseas in support of Operation Desert Storm and several other missions. Mike served on the USS San Jose AFS-7 and the USS John F. Kennedy CV-64. While enlisted in the US Army he was stationed at Ft. Stewart and served in 3-15 Infantry Division during the invading forces in the 1st of many operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. After retirement from active duty, Mike continued serving by deploying more times as a civil servant with the Dept. of the Army/ Dept. of Defense again until medical retirement in 2015. After many years of service and sustaining multiple injuries ranging from traumatic brain injury, knee problems, multiple surgeries to simple broken fingers.
Mike found himself needing assistance with sometimes simple things in life. At the recommendation of several doctors and the VA he became a client of Paws for Life USA training program 2014. In 2016 he completed well over 2000 hours of training with his service dog Annie who was now ready to continue her tasks as his service animal until present day. Annie’s tasks include turning lights on and off, fetching medications, opening refrigerators and bringing water bottles, finding lost items for her forgetful handler, waking him during severe nightmares, notifications of migraines before they happen, carrying groceries, and simply picking items up that he may have dropped as small as a dime. With the help and guidance of Paws for Life, specifically Master Trainer Kimberly Brenowitz, Annie has helped to restore simple things in life and restore quality and peace.
Mike Is the Paws for Life USA Veteran Affairs Liason.