Mark and Mama Bear: A Life-Changing Partnership

On December 2, 2022, U.S. veteran Mark met his service dog, Mama Bear, beginning a powerful journey of healing and companionship. Mama Bear, a Labrador Retriever, was acquired from Ridgeview Labs and expertly trained by professional dog trainers Haley Kenny and TJ Wright through the K9s For Warriors program—the nation’s leading organization providing trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma.

Mama Bear is a proud Fetch It Forward dog, sponsored by the Dogtopia Foundation and supported by Dogtopia of Viera. She was named “Mama Bear” by Brenda and her family, who believed she would bring warmth, care, and fierce protection to her warrior partner.

Mark and Mama Bear officially graduated from the K9s For Warriors program on December 15, 2022, beginning their new life together as a bonded and unbreakable team.