02/07/2026
My Service dog Zeus currently is in 2nd place. Votes and shares would be greatly appreciate.
This is his story
Zeus’s Story
Zeus is a 2 year old Husky/Pit mix. January 2025 he was at a shelter in Alabama. February 2025 Animal Sanctuary Society of Mount Laurel NJ made the trip to Alabama and brought him to NJ. In March 2025 young family adopted him after losing their dog. But a couple of months later they reached out to Charlotte from Animal Sanctuary Society who then contacted Lisa and said the couple that adopted Zeus wanted to give him back. Charlotte didn’t not want to see that happen so she told Lisa that she felt he would be a great addition to Semper Fido. So May 2025 after evaluations Zeus was officially surrendered to Lisa and Brian to begin training and be partnered with his veteran.
I am a disabled veteran having served in the United States Coast Guard. Five years of fighting for my disability rating came to an end in 2025. I have PTSD among other things from my time in the service and my psychiatrist at the VA felt a service dog would be very beneficial for me. And with me finally receiving my VA disability rating that my prayers to receive my service dog had finally been answered. And this is where our story begins.
I researched different organizations that worked with veterans and helped them get a service dog. One organization stood out. Semper Fido located in Marlton New Jersey. This organization was founded by Retired Law Enforcement Officer Lisa Berg and her husband retired Law Enforcement Officer and Training Director Brian Berg.
Semper Fido is a 501(c)(3) not for profit that makes it their mission is to unite wounded veterans suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury with rescued dogs trained as service dogs, to nurture a healing and rejuvenating bond between the two. The result is a positive, non-judgmental, unconditional relationship desperately needed by both.
Brian and Lead Trainer Arnold Apel (USMC) work tirelessly visiting shelters and looking to find the dogs that would best fit the veteran and their needs. They have gone as far as having a dog brought up from down south in a helicopter and meeting their veteran/partner within 24 hours.
Once they find a prospective dog they introduce them to the Veteran to see if they click. And if so, Arnold and fellow trainers Andrew Gee ( USAF), Miranda Russ and Mandy Peterson begin working with the dogs prior to the veteran beginning training.
The first dog I met was Toby who was a German Wire haired pointer but due to his pray drive he was removed from the program but did get adopted to his forever home.
Now, here is the story of how Zeus and I began our journey. I found out about Zeus ( originally named Rubble) on April 26,2025. I didn’t want to get my hopes up that he would be accepted to the program, but when I saw his picture I couldn’t help but feel an immediate connection with him.
I got the call from Arnold on June 5, 2025 that we were going to proceed with training and that I would meet him on June 10, 2025 for our initial meet and greet to see how we would bond.
Well…. The time had come to meet and the connection was instantly apparent. And we began training. We both began to work as a team. Learning one thing at a time. Struggling at times but we persevered. Zeus and I both had to learn the commands and remain focused.
We both had multiple tasks from him walking by my side ignoring all distractions to follow commands to “Block “ which is where the service dog sits facing forward in front of the veteran to “Guard” where the service dog goes to the right side of the veteran and facing behind them. Along with other commands. As well as how to handle situations with people and how to respond if they try to touch our service dog or try to deny entry to any establishment as our dogs are federally protected under the American with Disabilities Act.
We would have distractions for our dogs while training like having dog treats on the floor and then walking them right near the treats without them grabbing them and if successful then we would pick up the treat and give it to them. The reason is so that they don’t and eat stuff off the floor when we’re out in public.
We began going out in public to grocery stores, restaurants, malls for training. Worked with them getting on and off elevators and escalators. I opted not to use the escalators.
Training was three days a week and the rest of the week was for bonding with our dog. I live in Bayville NJ which is a little over an hour from Marlton NJ. I went almost every day of the week and strengthened our bond. He lived onsite at the training center and he would get so excited when he would hear my voice. Sometimes I would be very hard on myself and felt like I was failing or letting Zeus down when something didn’t go right. And when I would have those feelings he would just smother me with kisses just to tell me everything is ok. Before Zeus could come home we had to introduce him to our other dogs Freya our 3 year old Siberian Husky and Charlotte our 8 year old Pit Terrior mix. Freya we brought her to the training center and at first she was a little nervous but it didn’t last long. Zeus and her were two peas in a pod. Charlotte would meet Zeus when we got to bring him home because she gets car sick and has occasional seizures.
As we were getting closer to completing our training we had our pictures taken for our Identification Card. And we would receive them upon our final inspection conducted by Training Director Brian Berg.
Myself and Zeus along with fellow veteran Makayla (USAF) and her partner who is also named Zeus got word that the graduation Ceremony was going to be held on September 26,2025. But we still had to focus on training even though we were both very excited.
After months of training we got the word that our service dogs would go home with us. So on August 20, 2025 Zeus came home. My husband Nick and I were informed that it usually takes about 2 weeks for the dogs to become acclimated to the new surroundings. Honestly in a matter of days Charlotte, Freya and Zeus were the best of buds and like they’ve always been together. Everyone couldn’t wait to meet Zeus including the employee at our Chiropractor’s office. But I had to be patient and wait to take him out in public ( non-pet friendly places) vested as we weren’t officially certified. And it was definitely hard.
As we were getting closer to our final inspection and graduation we had another adventure planned. Arnold, Miranda and our biggest cheerleader Dorie Neuber who is not only on the board of directors but she is with the veterans every step of the way. Always cheering us on. We would take the speedline train into Philadelphia PA. It was the ultimate distraction training. Makayla/Zeus and myself and my Zeus boarded the train and had our Zeus’s lay down at our feet. They both did amazing. We went through the train station and into one of the shops for some distraction training and then we went out into the city. We had everything from ambulances with lights and sirens blasting, pigeons landing near our dogs, trash on the street and countless people. Both our dogs passed with flying colors.
Then the time had come for the official adoption and final inspection and with that On September 11,2025 Zeus and I became an official team.
I have had to deal with individuals that judge him and question his training based on his breed and his size.
I have also had those that will just completely ignore all the “do not touch our distract” and try to put their hands on him and get insulted when I tell them to please do not touch my dog.
But there are also exceptions to the “no touch “ and that is if I say it’s ok.
At our chiropractors office Thompson Sports Medicine in Bayville he gets full off leash and given the command “break” to which he is allowed to walk around. He not only gets a lot of attention but he also goes and checks up on every patient there. Making sure they are ok. Giving them kisses. Sensing when they are struggling. Like there is a patient there that has some developmental disabilities and she was having a really rough day. She was crying and he went right up to her. He was giving her kisses and then put his head on her lap. She just hugged him and she began to smile which absolutely made me tear up. Now her face absolutely lights up when she sees him.
There is even another patient there that was nervous when he first met Zeus. And now he gets so happy when he sees Zeus.
With me whether he is vested or unvested he is always working. If I get up to get something to eat or just use the bathroom he is right up with me even if he is sound asleep. When we are in the car he will be in a guard position sitting and watching out the back window. Periodically going from the rear passenger window to the rear drivers side window ( yes he is buckled in) and once he feels it is ok he will lay down.
An example for instance. My husband and I were bringing my stepson to Virginia to spend Christmas with his partner. As we were at a red light there were a couple of homeless men asking for money. Zeus was sleeping and even though the one guy just walked by our car Zeus popped right up and didn’t take his eyes off of this man for at least 2 miles. He knows when my anxiety is high, he will rest his head on my back and lay right next to me especially when I’m having nightmares. Even if I just walk outside to get the mail he is at the window watching to make sure I’m ok.
I’ve been able to do so many more things with him and of course my husband Nick at my side. And my husband and I know I am safe when my husband isn’t there as long as I have Zeus. I’ve been able to got to crowded events like the paranormal expo in Woodbridge NJ this past November. Where on top of the number of paranormal celebrities but several hundred of paranormal fans. I never would have been able to handle that in the past.
We saved each other and continue to do so every day.
Zeus is a Husky/Pit mix. He is 2 years old. He is my service dog. He is a rescue. He is a absolute sweetheart and loves to make people smile
