Operation Never Quit (ONQ) is an unwavering monthly commitment to support our American Heroes battling PTSD by providing them with professionally trained life-changing service dogs. We stand by them 24/7, and we invite you to stand with us.
signifying the number of Veteran suicides that occur daily on American soil.
The inspiration for Operation Never Quit (ONQ) comes from Michael, an American hero who has discovered hope and healing through the companionship of River, his NWBB service dog.
The pressure became too much. The vertigo and headaches from my TBI were excruciating. I felt like a failure, worthless…. Why was I spared over the husbands, fathers and friends I served with that didn’t come home? The guilt was too much to handle. I tried all the meds…they did nothing. Drinking became my numbing agent, that only made things so much worse… 3 years no booze now..
The hardest part is 10 years later, I still get calls telling me another army brother has taken his own life. These were some of the toughest men, fathers and sons I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. The pressure was too much. My hyper-vigilance made me feel like every rooftop had a sniper and every trash bag on the road was an IED. My innocence was stolen from me at 18 when I had to kill or be killed for the first time.
During my attempt I had everything. I bought my first house, just got married to the love of my life a couple months before all this, makes no sense, I know… I should’ve been on cloud nine. But my PTSD took over that day. I was having a bad day to start because I had just lost another friend. So I said f*ck it!
After this she put me into a PTSD program that I went to twice.
And then she found Northwest Battle Buddies. Now she can relax somewhat.
I have River, who is now saving me daily...
Michael’s incredible journey alongside his service dog, River, is why Operation Never Quit's monthly giving plays a crucial role in transforming the lives of our Veterans.
This image was taken the day that Michael first met his NWBB service dog, River.
Join us on our mission to make a difference in the lives of our American Heroes. Our Veterans never quit and they never gave up… neither will we!