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Friday, November 22, 2013

Dog breeder donates PTSD service dog to Iraq veteran

Brooksville breeder donates service dog to vet
by Kim Dame
Hernando Today correspondent
November 21, 2013
Michael Giannetti, left, has been working with Ernest Chainey for nearly two years to bring him a PTSD canine. KIM DAME

Ernest Chainey awakens with a jolt, covered in sweat, shaking and convulsing in fear. His wife, Tammy, tries to comfort him, gently guiding him out of the night terror by speaking softly. And eventually Chainey calms down, his breathing becomes labored and he attempts to fall back to sleep.

That scenario is all too common in the Chainey household since Ernest, 45, returned from three tours in Iraq. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after his first tour in Iraq and medically discharged in 2012.

Like so many other service men who served on the battlefield, Chainey came home after his final tour a changed man. He now battles a different war on friendly ground where the enemy has set up camp inside his head.

"It has affected everything I do," Chainey said. He hasn't been able to find a job or provide for his family. He deals with deep depression, explosive anger and bouts of paranoia. Since the disorder is still largely misunderstood and not widely recognized as an actual disability, Chainey says he often feels he is fighting alone, but he should get some relief soon.

Michael Giannetti, owner of Pendragon Acres U.S. K-9, stepped in to help Ernest and other wounded Vets live a better quality of life through the placement and training of assisted service and PTSD-certified canines.
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