Jennifer got Onyx in May 2013 at a program for veterans called K9s for Warriors. Not only was Onyx an awesome companion during some of the most difficult times in our lives but the woman who ran K9s for Warriors with her son was a loving person we all referred to as “mom.” She really cared about all of us and she made me feel seen and heard with her love. She loved me and Onyx and she told me I needed to write a book about how she helped me.
There are experiences that push people to the edge not because of one moment, but because of the constant, unrelenting pressure that never seems to let up. For my husband and me, that pressure came in the form of ongoing, coordinated online bullying—targeting, false accusations, and gaslighting that left us feeling trapped with no way out and no one willing to help. We just wanted it to stop.
The stress wasn’t only emotional—it became physical. The constant state of alertness and fear worsened our existing brain injuries, impacting our memory, focus, and ability to function day to day. It felt like our bodies were shutting down under the weight of it all. There were moments when we truly believed we couldn’t take one more second.
To cope, we would escape however we could. We took drives to beautiful places—coastlines, quiet overlooks, anywhere that offered even a temporary sense of peace. Those moments gave us brief relief, but they didn’t solve the deeper toll the experience was taking on us.
That’s where Onyx came in.
Onyx, my service dog, became more than just a companion—she became our anchor. Her presence brought a kind of calm and grounding that nothing else could. She didn’t need explanations. She didn’t question our pain. She simply showed up with unwavering love, loyalty, and support.
When everything else felt chaotic and hostile, Onyx gave us something steady to hold onto. She shifted our focus outward—toward caring for her, nurturing her, and giving her the best life possible. In doing so, she helped pull us out of a cycle of constant distress and gave us a reason to keep going, even on the hardest days.
Looking back, the timing feels significant. Jennifer brought Onyx into her life shortly before the harassment began—before the world turned hostile in ways we never could have anticipated. In many ways, Onyx arrived just when she was needed most.
Mom has since passed away but I promise you I will write a book about my life with Onyx. She is 14 years old now and with mom’s help, we adopted her sister Chinook in 2019. In this picture, you will notice she is in the front seat of the jeep because after you get the service dog, you are supposed to stay tethered to the dog for six months to create the bond.
We are deeply grateful for her. Not just for the comfort she provides, but for the role she played in helping us survive something that felt unbearable. She didn’t stop the bullying—but she helped us endure it.
And sometimes, enduring is everything.
Related Links:
K9s for Warriors is Making a Difference
Our Dream Beach Trip on the Florida Coast (2014)
The Healing Power of Animals for Troops with PTSD
The Power of Service Dogs: Overcoming PTSD with Onyx
15 Ways My K9s for Warriors Service Dog Has Helped Me (2015)
Christine Hassing Published ‘Jennifer and Onyx’ | Our Story of Triumph & Hope After Military Sexual Trauma (February 17, 2019)
Invisible War Actors & Ass Kissers Devise Plan to Accuse Advocates of “Bullying”; Protect Our Defenders Takes Credit for All Crime Bill They Didn’t Want, Then Stole and Perverted (2013)
“Sexual Assault Advocates” Use Defamatory Newspaper Article & the Small Town Cop’s Lame AF Narrative to Bounce Medically Retired Service Members Out of MST Advocacy (2024)
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Jennifer and Lee 