Keith and Kai

Branch: Army, National Guard, Sheriff’s Deputy   

Time Served: 22 years 

Location(s): Afghanistan, Iraq  

Keith has his share of remarkable stories, with 22 years of combined service in active duty, the NC National Guard, and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department. Over his eight deployments, Keith primarily served as Military Police, taking on roles like convoy security, personal protection detail, SWAT, detainee operations, and nuclear warhead protection. One of his most intense assignments came in 2003, during the capture of Saddam Hussein. The month between Hussein’s capture and execution was one of the highest-risk times for U.S. forces, and Keith was among those responsible for guarding him—no pressure!

After two decades of service, Keith medically retired in 2012, but his battles didn’t end there. Instead of external enemies, he now faced internal ones that required new methods of fighting. Many veterans, Keith included, share the mentality of always looking out for others, often overlooking their own needs. They frequently avoid resources they think others may need more, even if it comes at their own expense. This was true for Keith until he realized the depth of his struggle.

“You gotta do self-aid before you can do buddy aid; otherwise, you’ll be no good for your buddy,” Keith reflects.

Keith applied to the Shepherds for Sheepdogs program with his two-year-old, partially trained German Shepherd, Kai. During her evaluation, it became clear in minutes that she had exceptional potential. Naturally attentive and in-tune with Keith, Kai only needed structured guidance. She has spent a couple of months with Steve to work on her social skills and off-leash training. Kai has also learned to retrieve specific items on command—like Keith’s cane!  

Each applicant has unique needs, some more physical, others more psychological. But in all cases, having a service animal like Kai improves confidence and reduces PTSD symptoms by bringing back the “buddy next to you” mentality: someone to look out for and someone to look out for them.