November brings two important observances for our readers: Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month. It’s always a pleasure to take you on the road with me, especially when I get to introduce you to remarkable people and programs making a difference right here in Northern Nevada.
Our first stop is Liberty Dogs, a brand-new campus in my hometown of Reno, where I met Major General Ondra L. Berry (Ret.), CEO of Liberty Dogs, canine training manager Hilary Larivee, and a very enthusiastic Labrador named Maddie.
And Maddie had a few things to teach me.
First, Can I Pet the Dog?
Of course, my first instinct was to get down on the floor, give Maddie a big hug, and cover her with kisses. But Hilary explained something important: when you encounter a service dog, whether at an airport, a restaurant, or anywhere in public, always ask the handler before approaching. That dog is working, and the person relying on it may not welcome the interruption.
Fortunately, Hilary gave Maddie permission to say hello, and I got my greeting!
Throughout our interview, Maddie was eager to show off her skills, occasionally getting distracted or so excited she could hardly contain herself. Hilary patiently redirected her, and Maddie was right back to work.
As Hilary reminded me, “They’re not robots.”
More Than Comfort
Most of us understand the comfort a dog can bring. But I had no idea just how much a specially trained service dog could do for a veteran living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Hilary demonstrated how Maddie recognizes signs of anxiety and responds without being given a command. Changes in body movements, breathing, or other subtle behaviors can prompt Maddie to nudge her handler, interrupting the distress.
Maddie also demonstrated deep-pressure therapy, placing her body across Hilary’s lap to provide calming pressure.
But one of the most surprising skills Hilary described was nightmare interruption. A trained service dog can recognize subtle signs of distress while a veteran sleeps, such as talking or restless movement, and respond without being given a command.
Another demonstration particularly caught my attention. Maddie moved around Hilary’s body on command, positioning herself behind her.
“And the big one for them, just having those eyes behind you, just knowing that somebody is watching their back,” Hilary explained.
It’s not about protection or aggression. It’s about helping a veteran feel more comfortable navigating everyday life, especially in crowded public places.
The Work Behind the Partnership
Liberty Dogs was established by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, which supports its service dog training, placement, and veteran wellness programs.
The new Reno campus includes specialized training facilities and accommodations where veterans from across the country can stay during an intensive two-week pairing program, provided at no cost to eligible veterans.
But preparing a service dog takes far longer than two weeks.
Berry explained that Liberty Dogs has grown from just over 20 dogs when he joined the organization to more than 130 in its program.
“We cannot do our best work without our volunteers. We cannot,” he emphasized.
Volunteer puppy raisers, foster families, and guardians are essential to preparing dogs for advanced training. Liberty Dogs also works with Nevada correctional facilities, including Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City, where incarcerated individuals help raise puppies that may eventually become service dogs.
During the residential program, training is tailored to each veteran’s needs. And the relationship doesn’t end when the veteran and dog leave campus.
As Hilary explained, “They will be their teammate in life. They will be their partner.”
The organization continues supporting veteran-dog teams throughout the working lives of the dogs.
The Urgency Behind the Mission
Berry has spent much of his career in leadership positions spanning the military, law enforcement, and the gaming industry. Today, his focus is on reaching more veterans who could benefit from a service dog.
“The level of urgency that’s needed behind service dogs pairing with our veterans is immense,” he told me. “And when you hear it said that it saves lives, that’s just a fact.”
For Berry, it’s not simply about matching as many dogs as possible. It’s about making the right matches, recognizing that each dog becomes part of a veteran’s family and support system.
And the need, he believes, will only continue to grow.
A Message to Native American Veterans
Before we wrapped up, I asked Berry what he would say to Native American veterans and their families who might be watching our interview.
“First of all, there is a long history of Native Americans being involved in our nation’s wars and doing great work.”
He went on to thank Native American veterans for their military service and encouraged anyone who believes a service dog or wellness program might help to contact Liberty Dogs.
If you are a veteran living with PTSD, or know a tribal member, family member, friend, or colleague who might benefit from this program, please share this story.
Liberty Dogs offers service dog placement to eligible U.S. military veterans nationwide with VA-diagnosed, service-connected PTSD. Its separate Warrior Wellness program has broader veteran eligibility. Both are offered at no cost to eligible participants.
To learn more or contact the Veteran Services team, visit LibertyDogs.org.
I’ll leave you with Berry’s words to veterans who may be hesitant to ask for help:
“But the biggest thing is if you need support, assistance, help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.”
“There’s somebody out there that cares about you. There’s somebody out there that will benefit from it and there’s somebody out there that loves you.”
