Rafael Jarvis is looking forward to the upcoming 9/11 anniversary, supported by his new furry companion.
This retired sanitation officer, who served as a soldier in Iraq searching for survivors after the 2001 terrorist attacks, finds comfort through his service dog, Ben, as he grapples with PTSD.
“He jumped on me right away,” shared the 64-year-old man from the Bronx about his first encounter with Ben, thanks to the organization K9 for Warriors.
“I’ve found happiness that I’ve been missing for years.”
Like so many others in New York, Jarvis’s life took a pivotal turn on September 11th, 2001.
That day started with what he thought was a “perfect morning,” but then everything changed when he heard the shocking news about the plane hitting the World Trade Center.
“No one believed it at first. It felt like something out of a Bruce Willis movie,” he recalled, hoping to avoid casualties.
Jarvis rushed to Ground Zero and stayed there for nine months.
His memories of that time remain vivid, “You could smell the morgue,” a haunting experience that still haunts him.
He also struggled with the loss of two friends: his former captain Walter McNeill and firefighter Ronnie Henderson.
Even after the devastating aftermath of 9/11, Jarvis felt a renewed sense of duty. Though he was on the verge of retirement from the National Guard after 23 years of service, he chose to go to Iraq after the 2003 invasion began.
“I did what I had to do,” he expressed.
However, after retiring from the military, Jarvis faced internal battles he couldn’t shake off. He noted how the pride of wearing an Iraq war veteran’s hat contrasted sharply with the scars he carried.
Back home, he felt alien to himself, snapping at loved ones, suffering severe headaches, and struggling with sleepless nights. “I was always looking over my shoulder,” he admitted.
Even a daytime outing to a Yankees game overwhelmed him—crowds and noise became unbearable.
Years later, the aftermath of 9/11 and his military experiences left deep emotional impressions on him.
Jarvis recollected a counselor’s warning from the VA Hospital, “Don’t keep everything inside. One day, you might just explode.”
Realizing he needed assistance, he was eventually diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
A lifelong animal lover, he decided to apply for a service dog.
By 2023, he was paired with Ben, thanks to K9 for Warriors, who funded the extensive training costing around $30,000.
Ben is more than just a pet—he’s become Jarvis’s “pride and joy,” something that feels like “more than medicine.”
The pair is inseparable, including making their way to the WTC site on the upcoming anniversary.
“I couldn’t have done this without Ben,” Jarvis admitted, still feeling nervous about revisiting that place.
Having Ben around gives him a sense of security and comfort.
Jarvis reflects on his journey with a sense of acceptance about the unexpected turns life has taken.
“I’m definitely proud of my service. If I had to do it again, I would.”
