By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Prince William Living
A recent federal case has brought national attention to an issue that veterans and disability advocates know all too well—the essential role service dogs play in helping individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) navigate daily life, including in the workplace. On Aug. 13, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Criswell Chevrolet in Gaithersburg, Maryland, will pay $30,000 and implement policy changes after refusing to allow an employee with PTSD to have his service dog at work.
While the legal resolution ensures better compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) moving forward, it also highlights the critical importance of education around service dogs—something local nonprofit Semper K9 Assistance Dogs works tirelessly to address.
Serving Those Who Served
Founded in 2014 by a Marine Corps combat veteran and his wife, Semper K9 Assistance Dogs is dedicated to providing fully trained service dogs to disabled American veterans free of charge. Based in Northern Virginia, the organization’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for veterans and their families by pairing them with dogs trained to mitigate both physical and mental health disabilities, including PTSD.
“Service dogs provide a lifeline,” says co-founder Amanda Causey Baity. “They perform critical, task-based work—like interrupting PTSD episodes or guiding a veteran safely through crowded spaces—that enables veterans to live with independence and confidence.”
Training for Real-World Impact
Semper K9 specializes in mental health mobility support, particularly for veterans with PTSD. Dogs are carefully selected for temperament and trained over 12–18 months in obedience, mobility assistance, and specialized PTSD-related tasks. This includes retrieving dropped items, providing stability, navigating crowds, and offering grounding techniques during episodes of anxiety or disorientation.
Matching veterans with the right dog is an art as well as a science. “We consider the veteran’s lifestyle, needs, and personality alongside the dog’s temperament and skills,” Baity explains. “The goal is a strong, lasting partnership.”
One such partnership made national headlines when Leigh, a veteran paired with service dog Lizzy, suffered a fall at home. Trapped and unable to move, Leigh remembered Lizzy’s trained skill—retrieving her phone. Lizzy brought the phone, allowing Leigh to call 911. Emergency responders cared for both veteran and dog, illustrating the life-saving role these animals can play.
The Law and Public Misunderstandings
The ADA guarantees the right of individuals with disabilities to have their service dogs accompany them in public spaces, including workplaces, restaurants, and transportation. Despite this, Baity says there’s still widespread misunderstanding—especially with invisible disabilities like PTSD.
“People see a veteran who looks physically able and assume they don’t ‘need’ a service dog,” Baity says. “But PTSD can be debilitating, and these dogs are trained medical equipment, not pets.”
She encourages employers to learn ADA basics, train staff on service dog etiquette, and maintain open communication with employees who rely on them. “Education is key to creating a respectful, accommodating environment.”
How the Community Can Help
Semper K9 invites community members to get involved through donations, volunteering as foster families for dogs in training, and attending fundraising events. Upcoming opportunities include:
- Annual 9K in Fredericksburg – Sept. 20, 2025 (National Service Dog Day)
- Marine Corps Marathon – October 2025, DC area, supporting nearly 100 athlete team members
- Annual 5K at the National Museum of the Marine Corps – May 2026
For veterans interested in applying for a service dog, the process begins at semperk9.org/apply.
More Than a Companion
Cases like the recent EEOC lawsuit underscore why organizations like Semper K9 are vital—not only for the veterans they serve, but for the broader effort to educate employers and the public about disability rights.
“Community understanding removes barriers,” Baity says. “When people respect the role of service dogs and the rights of those who need them, it allows veterans to fully participate in society—with dignity, safety, and confidence.”
About the Author
Rebecca Barnes is the publisher of Prince William Living and a dedicated supporter of veterans and community initiatives. She serves on the board of Semper K9 Assistance Dogs, an organization with a deeply personal connection to her family—its very first service dog, “Buster,” was named in honor of her father, a proud Vietnam combat service-disabled veteran.
