Andrew Armstrong

Son. Brother. Dog Dad. 🐾 Historian. 🏛️ Author. 📚Veteran. 🦅Service Dog Handler. 🦮 American. 🇺🇸

I'm Andrew Armstrong, and I'm proud to have served in the navy for almost nine years. During that time, I was deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, Rota, Spain, and Bethesda, Maryland, and gained a wealth of knowledge and experience about history, leadership and global cultures.

Unfortunately, my military service also resulted in the development of chronic-PTSD, which has continued to have a significant impact on my mental health. But instead of letting it defeat or define me, I decided to channel my energy into helping other veterans by training service dogs. My own four-year-old golden retriever, Cleo, has been my loyal partner and has played a crucial role in my recovery.

Cleo's devotion and specialized training have been invaluable to me, and she's always there to lift my spirits when I need it most.

Through years of rigorous training, Cleo became a service dog. She learned how to perform various tasks, including alerting me to potential triggers, providing deep pressure therapy during panic and anxiety attacks, as well as retrieving items that were dropped or out of reach. Cleo's training was extensive and required dedication and perseverance from both of us, but it was worth it to see her become such an incredible asset in managing my health and independence.

In addition to my work with service dogs, I am an avid historian and genealogist. I believe that knowledge and education are powerful tools for making positive change in the world, and I'm committed to using my skills and expertise to help others.

Overall, my experiences have taught me the importance of resilience, compassion, and perseverance. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve my country and for the support of my faithful companion, Cleo. Together, we're taking on the world and making a difference, one step at a time.