Springdale teacher 'couldn't imagine life' without his service dog

When Connor Green returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and was discharged from the Army in 2014, all he wanted was to live unnoticed.

The transition to civilian life, coupled with a diagnosis of a seizure disorder, was more difficult than being deployed.

Green couldn’t fathom his life today: standing before classrooms of teens as a political science teacher at Springdale Junior-Senior High School.

“I kept to myself,” said Green, 29, a Sharpsburg native. “I wanted to be invisible.”

Enter Bradley, a German shepherd trained in Florida through Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs. He paired with Green through its local affiliate, Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans in Peters Township.

“These dogs are skilled in mitigating disabilities, both visible and not, for veterans,” said William Jeffcoat, a Plum resident who leads the Washington County nonprofit.

Service dogs can help people with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and mobility issues, among other things.

“The aftermath of war comes with deep wounds, both physical and mental,” Jeffcoat said. “Antisocial behavior, feelings of detachment and having a hard time feeling like they belong can keep our veterans from enjoying the beauty of life.”

It takes two years for service dogs to be trained at Guardian Angels.

The cost is $25,000, but they are paired with veterans for free.

Jeffcoat said a $20 million fundraising campaign is underway to build a Western Pennsylvania campus to breed, raise and train dogs. Guardian Angels purchased 102 acres in Washington County for a facility that, when complete, will double the number of dogs able to be paired each year to 60.

Training capacity is maxed out at the Florida headquarters.

There are 300 veterans waiting for a dog.

Jeffcoat, who saw combat as a Marine in Vietnam, said Pennsylvania has the fourth largest contingency of veterans — 800,000 — in the country.

“I was lucky enough to have a dog with me during the war 24/7,” Jeffcoat said.

Fraulein, his German shepherd companion, was prized for her enhanced sense of smell and hearing.

“I walk this Earth because of her,” he said.

For Green, the addition of Bradley to his daily life has meant graduating from Duquesne University and earning a master’s degree from Slippery Rock University.

“When I had my first grand mal seizure, I got treated at the VA and they said it most likely wouldn’t happen again,” Green said. “I had another one a year later.”

With no conclusive test results, Green started to fade into the background of life.

He started taking public transit for fear of having a seizure on the road. He wasn’t confident enough to socialize. He feared being alone in public.

“I never really pictured myself having a service dog,” Green said. “but, within three days of meeting Bradley, we were in sync. It’s hard to remember what it was like without him.”

The pair has been together for seven years, during which time Green got an official diagnosis of epilepsy.

“It was really a very dark time when I was having seizures and didn’t know what was going on,” Green said.

“But if anything happens now, I’ve got him with me. It’s nice to wake up with a German shepherd staring in my face.”

Medical assistance aside, Green believes his sidekick helped to transform his personality and restore his independence.

“I look back on how much I’ve changed, and he’s made me more interactive, more engaging and confident,” Green said.

“I wouldn’t trade him for the world.”

Green said he is extremely grateful to have been paired with Bradley at no cost, thanks to the generosity of others.

He’s never without the dog by his side.

On any given day, Bradley can be found stretched out near Green’s desk or lapping up attention from his students.

With his epileptic episodes mostly under control, Green credits Bradley for changing his life.

“It’s hard to put into words the impact that Brad has had,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”