One Day At A Time w/ Ashley McCaffrey

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How A Struggling Veteran Found Hope

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About The Episode

Ashley McCaffrey enlisted in the Air Force in 2007. Shortly after, she was deployed to Iraq for a few months, where she was the only female in her squadron. When she was later assigned to Afghanistan, she was doing some tests and realized how much of a toll it was all taking on her. She was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that had developed, and it was decided that it was best for her to head home.

When she came back to the U.S. and started the recovery process, Ashley devoted herself to trying to heal. She found some relief in exercise, yoga, and by regularly attending Veterans Affairs mental counseling services. However, she still found herself feeling anxious. 

Trying to figure out another game plan with her husband of what else might be good to try, they eventually landed on K9s For Warriors – a nonprofit organization that pairs highly trained service dogs with military veterans in need. The pairs are matched based on one’s goals, activity level, occupation type, and more details to best suit each side. Ashley submitted her application and, once approved, she was brought into training to prepare for her new canine companion, a black lab named Hope. 

Growing up, Ashley’s family had a black lab as their first dog, so it was a full circle and magical moment to have another come into her life when she needed a furry friend the most. Hope, with a fitting name, brought a shining glimmer and new type of support system into Ashely’s life. Having a dog by her side gives Ashley extra confidence to do certain everyday tasks such as grocery shopping that can otherwise be intimidating. Due to her position as a special education teacher that works with high-needs students, Hope has also been able to provide Ashley with an even greater level of support in a time when teaching has been harder than ever during the pandemic.

The stigma surrounding military mental health often makes healing much more difficult, but Ashley and Hope are a living testament to the belief that there truly are people, animals, and organizations that will never judge you for what you’re going through, and that with their help, healing is possible. Hope is possible.

About The Guest - Ashley McCaffrey

Ashley McCaffrey is an Air Force veteran and special education teacher based out of Florida. Following a leave from service due to PTSD, Ashley was working to find her way forward again and overcome the obstacles she was feeling. That all shifted when her dog, the aptly named Hope, came into her life and changed everything.

About The Organization - K9s For Warriors

K9s For Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs for veterans in the country. Veterans who come back from their time can suffer from service-connected traumas such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma. Suicide is an extremely serious issue for those trying to cope with these issues, with roughly 20 veterans succumbing to it every day. K9s For Warriors is looking to help change that, on a mission to save the lives of both veterans and rescue dogs. They bring in dogs, mostly from high-kill rescue shelters, and train them to be service dogs who they then connect with the right human counterpart. Having this bond allows them to lead a healthier life that they thought was no longer possible, giving them the courage and strength to live and pursue what they want to do.

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