Steve DeVries served our country well as a combat medic in the Army. He had two tours in Iraq and brought home quite a few medals and honors for his service, including the Global War on Terrorism service medal.
But while earning all those awards, he also suffered a major spinal injury during combat in 2007, when an improvised explosive device went off under his vehicle.
Coming home and adjusting to life after medically retiring from the Army in 2013 was not easy. DeVries suffers from anxiety, and he has also had quite a few surgeries on his back, which makes it difficult to move sometimes.
Since he’s been home, he’s wanted a service dog to help him on a daily basis. Sadly he has not been given one yet, even though they have been on the waiting list for the last 18 months.
Other veterans like DeVries, who suffer from anxiety but can still move around, have found that places like Ironstone Farm are helping them with anxiety and other mental issues. But when conditions are too severe, these amazing heroes must rely on their family to help take care of them, and so many selflessly do, much like Jennifer Mackinday did for her brother.
Then Steve, a lifelong Giants fan, and his daughter were chosen to be honored at the New York Giants versus Philadelphia Eagles football game during the halftime Military Moment on November 6, 2016.
As the two stood waving into the cameras as the announcers’ voice boomed, they had no idea they were about to be given a huge surprise from Semper K9 United War Veterans Council and the American Humane Team.
And now that DeVries has the help he needs, he’ll be spending the next three weeks getting to know his new family member.
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