Operation Comfort Warriors helps unite servicemember with service dog

VA doctors recommended Army veteran James Harris get a service dog to assist with his therapy. Harris' mother, Sherri Page, searched "everywhere" for assistance in obtaining one. She was first directed to kennels out of state that required staying with the dog for training – a cost the family couldn't afford. Page reached out to The American Legion's Operation Comfort Warriors program for help. Within eight days, Harris and his new service dog, Sky, were united.

[g-man]

The American Legion Riders. My extended family.

[lisachafin]

But you see ... I have no "battle buddies". I'm alone in my struggle. My service related injuries were inflicted by my fellow "male" Marines. I was abused, mentally tortured & sexually humiliated for ... being a "woman". I wasn't the Marine VMFA-251 wanted, which was made very clear to me upon reporting for duty at "their" squadron.
I've been under psychiatric care for 30 years & my condition continues to worsen. I have major depressive disorder, PTSD, agoraphobia, & anxiety induced seizures (PNES).
I'm sitting here writing through my tears and the jerking of my hands.
I was recently sent by my VA psychiatrist for a consult to undergo TMS therapy to possibly put my depression into remission  ... which has never happened in 30 years of psychiatrists & psychotherapists.
I was told yesterday I'm not a candidate for TMS because of my seizures, which now occur a few times a week, even at home.
My current VA psychiatrist also put me in for a consult to get a psychiatric seizure service dog. But I'm not holding my breath. I'm not blind, missing a limb nor did I see combat.
In my research I'm not eligible for a SD through K9's for Warriors because I didn't serve on or after 9-11-01. Other service dog organizations are out of state which poses a financial difficulty. 
I served during Desert Shield. My nervous breakdown happened on August 10, 1990 after being told my squadron was to deploy to Iraq. I was ordered to check out my 782 year by 8-10-1990.
I never got the chance. You see, I'd received a death threat from the same "fellow Marine" that spray painted, in big red letters, "MEN ONLY" on the bathroom door I used to shower and use the facilities. The same facilities that a MSGT had walked into urinate in front of my naked body in a shower with no doors. Directly next to the urinal. This MSGT told me: "You ain't got nothin' I ain't seen before" ... ignoring my "female in head" sign on the bathroom door.
My breakdown happened after 2 days of constantly watching CNN when not at work, no sleep, vomiting, and crying. In fear for my life, I went to my civilian therapist I'd been seeing located at family services on the base. I called her out of sheer terror and needing to talk to her about what was happening to me, which I didn't understand. I went on my lunch hour.
After sobbing in Carole's office for quite a while my tears turned to screams of terror and I could no longer speak. It was like I was trapped in my body deep down inside looking out from 2 black holes that were my eyes ... unable to speak. I knew the men I was to deploy with WOULD in fact ... KILL me.
She then called the abusive Naval psychiatrist I'd already been evaluated by. Upon our first meeting he labeled me a cry baby and someone he "personally did not like". He refered me to medical where I was placed sick in quarters for 72 hours to be sedated on Ativan.
My husband picked me up.
Upon returning to work, I was met by a hostile command that put me at parade rest in front of the squadron CO's office. My next memory was waking up flat on my back on the squadron SMJ's couch with my SSGT, the squadron SGTMJ, and the squadron XO screaming in my face to: "shut up!" "stop crying" "quit faking". I had fainted while at the position of parade rest and been carried into the squadron SGTMJ's office.
I was left alone. I noticed 1 piece of paper on the SGTMJ's desk. It was an NJP charge sheet! I was being charged (against my knowledge) for disobeying a lawful order to check out my 782 gear on 8-10-1990! How could I? I'd been in class earlier on 8-10-1990, then had my breakdown resulting in being put SIQ sedated for 72 hours!
I took the charge sheet and made a copy. I placed it in my bag.
I was honorably discharged on 12-31-1990 with a misdiagnosis of a personality disorder. To quote the abusive Naval psychiatrist: " Now you've done it, I have to put you out because you're worthless to the Marine Corps ... but I'll make SURE you get no money for it!".
30 years I've suffered and now I'm a prisoner in my own home. Void of hope, dignity, self worth, friends and joy. Chronically suicidal and unable to leave my house alone.
I need a service dog. I'm not missing a limb, was never shot at ... but I'm a prisoner of war in my own mind. A victim of sexual discrimination at its' worst. At the hands of my fellow Marines on US soil.
I wish I had someone in my corner to help me like this woman did for her son.