{"id":46753,"date":"2026-07-10T18:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/?p=46753"},"modified":"2026-07-10T18:16:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:16:25","slug":"this-veteran-and-his-dog-help-keep-the-outdoors-safe-for-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thefarmersdog.com\/digest\/this-veteran-and-his-dog-help-keep-the-outdoors-safe-for-everyone\/","title":{"rendered":"This Veteran and His Dog Help Keep the Outdoors Safe for Everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chad Brown enlisted in the Navy at age 20. He was deployed for four years in the Middle East, Guantanamo Bay, and Somalia, earning several medals and ribbons for his service. He returned to civilian life—first in New York City to pursue his education in art and design, and then in Portland, Oregon, to start his career after graduation. But, during this transition, he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury.<\/p>

“I was facing a lot of demons,” Brown said. Homeless and suffering from nightmares, he needed help.<\/p>

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His friend Walter, a fellow veteran who served in the US Army Special Forces, connected him to a nonprofit called Northwest Battle Buddies<\/a>. In the military, Brown said, a battle buddy is an assigned partner who “has your back,” providing accountability, support, and companionship in and out of combat. Northwest Battle Buddies provides veterans with service dogs<\/a> who are trained to help them navigate everyday life.<\/p>

When Brown met his service dog, a chocolate Lab named Axe, he was at a low point. But thanks in large part to their bond, which Brown discussed on an episode of the miniseries “Life Is Better With Dogs” from<\/a> The Oprah Podcast<\/em><\/a> <\/em>sponsored by The Farmer’s Dog, Brown now heads an organization that helps connect veterans and inner-city youth to nature. Take a look at how they work together:<\/p>