Veterans around the country are learning how to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder with the help of service dogs.

K9s For Warriors provides trained service dogs to veterans living with PTSD and other issues related to their service.

News 12 met with Raphael Jarvis, a retired veteran and his service dog, Ben.

"They helped me a whole lot, changed my life around because I go everywhere with him," Jarvis said talking about K9 For Warriors while petting his service dog.

Jarvis was in the Army National Guard for over 20 years. He also served as a police officer in the city. On Sept. 11, 2001, he got a call to help out at ground zero.

"All you see is dust and rubble. That's it," Jarvis said. He told News 12 that was the beginning of nine months of hard work. He was working 12 to 16 hours a day during that period.

"After we finished our shift, we'd go back there and help with the rubble, the digging and stuff like that. It was rough," Jarvis said.

The trauma he experienced from 9/11 and war afterwards became too much to handle.

"I was snapping at people when I was talking with anybody... just being lonely," Jarvis said. Ever since he got connected with K9s For Warriors, he said he's been doing a lot better.

He told News 12 Ben goes with him everywhere, and that he wouldn't know what he would've done without him.

K9s For Warriors has paired more than 1,000 veterans with service dogs. It has also rescued more than 2,000 dogs.

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