Army veteran and Mission Roll Call team member Taamir Ransome credits four paws and a waggin’ tail with saving his life.
Ransome joined the Army in October of 2001 in the weeks following the 9/11 terror attacks. He soon had several deployments with the 82nd Airborne under his belt, then moved into Explosive Ordnance Disposal. He eventually earned a spot in a special mission unit, becoming the first Black Tier 1 EOD operator in history.
Over the course of his 22-year military career and numerous deployments, Ransome experienced numerous explosions and accidents. He medically retired following surgery to rebuild his foot in 2021.
Following his military retirement, Ransome said returning to civilian life was difficult. He reached out to a nonprofit that works with the special operations community to be paired with a service dog to help in that transition.
“The first dog I got was Dimos,” he said. “He calms me down.”
With Dimos at his side, Ransome was able to begin socializing again – attending his kids’ games and other community events.
Dimos also taught Ransome about the misconceptions the public has about service dogs. Some business owners may ask those with service dogs to show paperwork that certifies the animal as a service dog. Ransome said he has also been asked if service dogs really help with PTSD and anxiety.
Ransome also noted that the cost of training a service dog is high and the Department of Veteran Affairs does not fully cover that cost.
“It can cost up to $60,000 to train a service dog,” Ransome explained.
That’s where the SAVES Act can help, he said. The legislation, pending approval by Congress, would provide grants to non-profit organizations to help them offer service dogs to eligible veterans. The bill aims to connect veterans with disabilities, including PTSD and anxiety, with trained service dogs to improve their independence and well-being. The grants would cover the cost of the dogs and training, and the program would include a pilot phase, possibly with provisions for veterinary insurance.
Ransome and his son, Mario, have also bonded over their love of training service dogs for veterans. Today the duo manages a full pack, teaching obedience and readiness for public spaces.
“Service dogs give you a reason to get up, to have a routine,” he said.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.