I enlisted in the Army as an 11B back in 2009. During my time in, I served with four different units, C-Co 1-38 CAV (ABN)(LRS), A-Co 519 MI BN, Attack Company 1-503, 173rd, and C-Co 2-501 (PIR) 82nd (ABN)(DIV). I served two combat deployments during my time. In 2017, a lot of things started changing for me, and I kind of started to spiral out of control. I had back-to-back surgeries, one on my shoulder then rolled right into the one on my lower back, all while finding out my oldest daughter starting having seizures. I became addicted to pills all while excessively drinking during all these things going on, which caused me to overdose and almost killed myself. I was stuck in an inpatient facility numerous times, and the last time I was there, I was diagnosed with PTSD, Depression, and anxiety.

At that moment, I decided to make drastic changes in my life. When the Army offered me the retirement, I felt it was the best decision for my family and me because It was time that I focused on them and myself. Once retired, I tried finding happiness in many different things that I used but with little success. The one thing that I realized that I was missing was companionship, and that’s when I was introduced to LABS4LIBERTY and came to be with my best friend, Lucy. My dog has saved me from many things in just the short amount of time I’ve spent with her. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Roger and Joan Nold, along with Alex, for everything they do for the veteran community.

Robert Blanton served 21 years as a Recon Marine, and Scout Sniper, and after a 2008 deployment to Iraq, he was awarded a Silver Star for “Extraordinary Heroism”.

After almost becoming a statistic of suicide while still active duty, Rob co-founded the veteran based non-profit Warfighter Made, to lead by example, and show all vets life gets better, if you give it a chance. Rob is so passionate about his work at Warfighter Made, that it’s his full time and only job, and he does it 100% as a volunteer.

After many years of being friends with the Labs For Liberty organization, Rob asked for help in the form of a service dog. 15 months later, Rob and his Portuguese Water Dog, Ronin were united.

You can find Rob and Ronin just about every day at the Temecula CA, Warfighter Made, working with vets. Dogs welcome!

Steven Roberts enlisted in the US Army Infantry at the age of 17 while still in high school, following the footsteps of his grandfather and uncle, both combat infantrymen who, between the two of them, served in World War Two, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Assigned to Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division, Steven began specializing in mountain warfare, training at schools in Vermont, Canada, and various other locations.

Now serving as a designated marksman and team leader, in the beginning of 2010 his unit was deployed to the high mountains of northeastern Afghanistan for over a year to a region that had become overrun by Taliban, HIG, and foreign fighters.

In the fall of 2010, Steven’s unit was on a long range reconnaissance patrol against HIG forces. During a close complex ambush which saw both sides exchanging hand grenades, Steven was knocked unconscious by an RPG and suffered a TBI and back injury. Due to the complexity of the ambush and terrain, Steven was the forward most position, cut off from most of his platoon. Upon regaining consciousness, he realized this and began returning fire at cyclic rates, eventually repelling the attack. For his actions, Steven was nominated for the the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, which was downgraded to an Army Commendation Medal with Valor. This ambush would turn into the Battle of Shahabuddin, lasting the next three days and is still the largest battle in RC North to this day.

After recovering, Steven finished his deployment and returned to Fort Drum, receiving an honorable discharge and terminal promotion to Corporal before moving back home to California.

Struggling with the TBI and PTSD, Steven began to find solace in the outdoors, beginning solo backpacking trips and eventually reconnecting with mountaineering. During these trips, he met another Labs For Liberty recipient who recommended him to the organization and he was paired with Angie, thanks to the sponsorship of Nux 4 Life. Angie is not only Steven’s outdoor adventure partner, but his savior.

Former Staff Sergeant Griffin is currently serving as Configuration Manager Team Lead for Department of the Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City Division

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in February 2002 as a Military Police Officer.  He attended boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.  Upon graduation, he attended Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Military Working Dog Handler Course at Lackland Air Force, San Antonio, Texas.  His first assignment was at Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina as a Lance Corporal where he served as a Military Working Dog Handler, from 2003 to 2006. While at the Air Station, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served one combat tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  He later received the Army Commendation Medal for his actions above and beyond the call of duty.  He also received the Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.

Corporal Griffin transferred to Marine Corps Detachment Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas in 2006; where he served as Military Working Dog Trainer and Handler Course Instructor for three years. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was later selected to serve as Military Working Dog Kennel Master, Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.  He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in 2010.

After completion of his 3-year tour in Quantico, Virginia in 2011, Staff Sergeant Griffin received orders to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; where he served multiple roles base on the operational tempo and the needs of the Marine Corps.  He began serving as a Platoon Sergeant, later to serve as Specialized Search Dog Handler, and Assistant Kennel Master.  While stationed at Camp Lejeune, he also served one combat tour in Operation Enduring Freedom.  Upon returning from deployment, he received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon (second award).

Other than the previously mentioned awards, Staff Sergeant Griffin has also been awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (x2), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (x4), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal-ISAF.  He is married to Andrea Griffin and has two children, Avery and AJ.

In 2014, Staff Sergeant Griffin separated from the Marine Corps pursuing a career in Civil Service and relocated his family to Northwest Florida; where he now serves his country in a different manner.  He currently functions as a Configuration Management, Team Lead where he provides support to Naval Fleet by maintaining control of the Configuration Data Managers Database, and oversees the daily operations of thirteen individuals.

 

In 2019, Adam reached out to Roger and Joan Nold of Labs for Liberty seeking the aid of a service dog to help with PTSD, severe anxiety, depression, and other daily functions that had become difficult to complete due to his service connected disabilities.  Through careful selection, Labs for Liberty obtained a pup Adam named Dash.  Dash was then custom trained to serve Adam’s specific needs. In September of 2020, Adam and Dash were paired near Morgan, Utah at the Labs for Liberty Outpost.  Since the pairing, Adam and Dash have adapted to each other nicely and have become quite the team.  Adam has been able to sleep better, attend social gathers easier, and has become a better husband and father.