“Chewie helps me remember to live life each day, not just survive it".

I’m probably not what comes to mind when someone mentions the words “disabled veteran”; but I feel like that’s why it’s so important for me to share some of my story. I have a fantastic family, a wonderful life, a warm home, and a full belly; but I also have PTSD. Female veterans are twice as likely to develop PTSD than their male counterparts, and far too many veterans of all genders don’t receive the help they need in time. Luckily I found K9s for Warriors during one of my darkest times, and they paired me with a life-changing service dog. Chewie makes it easier for me to focus on the good, even on the really hard days. This is a little bit of our story, and why I decided to start Catch the 22 pottery.

For years I tried to manage and hide my PTSD symptoms, but over time it became too much for me to handle on my own. I tried all the usual treatments, but nothing seemed to really make a difference. I was actually getting worse, and had gotten to the point that I rarely left my house. I was near rock bottom. Late one night, I found K9s for Warriors online and filled out the application. Because of the high number of veterans in need, I was put on a waiting list. As time passed, I turned to pottery to help keep me grounded while I waited for my turn.

Art has always been an outlet for me, and when I found pottery I was immediately hooked. The heavy, physical demands of lifting and throwing the clay was an instant stress reliever. Slamming down pounds of clay and then delicately coaxing it into beautiful shapes somehow mirrored the emotions that I couldn’t put into words. Pottery helped bridge the gap for me until the day I met Chewie.

In August, 2021 I walked into K9s for Warriors terrified that this was just another thing that wouldn’t help me. I felt so out of my element and I worried that I’d upturned my life and left my kids and husband for nothing.

Then I met Chewie.

I remember them opening the door and seeing this huge, goofy guy galloping around with his tongue out. He walked over, looked up at me, and I just dropped to my knees in relief. In an instant, I felt the heaviness of all the worries I’d been carrying evaporate. I had built this up as a last ditch effort, and had planned on it failing. But the second I saw him, I knew that Chewie was exactly what I needed; and that this could actually work.

That’s not to say we didn’t have a few growing pains. Like any new relationship, it took some time for us to figure out the other’s quirks; but within a week he was “booping” me awake so I could stop the cycle of nightmares. He became in tune with my breathing and let me know when I needed to leave an area. He sat next to me and watched my back, leaning into me when someone was coming up so I wouldn’t be startled. This enormous fluff-ball of unconditional love somehow knew how to fit all my broken pieces back together with a bat of his eyelashes and an ear lick.

After graduating the K9s for Warriors program and coming home with Chewie, I started to slowly add things I used to enjoy back into my life. We went paddle boarding, and ate picnics in the park. We took walks and went to the movies. I even took a trip to NYC with my daughters that would have been impossible prior to Chewie being in my life.

K9’s for Warriors and every donor and volunteer played a part in saving me. Having Chewie has given me back my confidence, and has helped me remember why it’s worth fighting through the pain and hard days. My children have their mother back; and my husband has his wife back. Maybe best of all, I’ve gotten my sparkle back. I remember now what life can be. I can feel it again. Chewie helps me remember to live life each day, not just survive it.

Because of this life-changing experience from K9s for Warriors, I felt like I needed to give back in some way. The only thing I have to give is my art, so I created Catch the 22 pottery with the intent to give $22 from each sale directly to K9s for Warriors. I am not an expert potter, but I put a little part of my soul into each piece I make. With every batch, my skills improve. My hope is that you will see the beauty and emotion in these pieces, and know that accepting imperfections is how we all start to heal.

Love, Aurora and Chewie