View source for A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story

{{short description|2018 documentary film by Nick Nanton}}
'''''A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story''''' is a 2018 documentary film written and directed by [[Nick Nanton]].
The film premiered in New York City on June 12, 2018 and a number of public screenings were subsequently held through the United States. ''A New Leash on Life: The K9 for Warriors Story'' was presented at the Suncoast Regional Emmy awards where it won Emmys for Direction, Editing, Photography and Documentary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suncoastchapter.org/awards/emmy-awards/2018-emmy-awards/|title=2018 Emmy Awards {{!}} NATAS Suncoast|website=suncoastchapter.org|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
== Synopsis ==
When Shari Duval's son, Brett Simon, returned from serving in Iraq, he struggled with PTSD. Shari was desperately searching for a solution when she stumbled upon a news story about a veteran with a service dog. Inspired by the improvement the veteran had made after adopting the animal, she decided to start a dog service agency for veterans. The idea gave Brett new hope, and together they founded [[K9s for Warriors]], which pairs rescue dogs from animal shelters with veterans.
The film focuses on the stories of three veterans apart from Brett Simon.
Shilo Schluterman served as an aircraft mechanic and in maintenance and operations with the U.S. Air Force Air National Guard between 1999 and 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dailyorange.com/2018/11/many-veterans-service-dogs-allow-readjust-civilian-life/|title=For many veterans, service dogs allow them to readjust to civilian life|date=2018-11-11|website=The Daily Orange - The Independent Student Newspaper of Syracuse, New York|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> She was paired with her dog, Javelin, after medication was ineffective in treating anxiety and panic attacks caused by PTSD.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/oct/03/arkansas-tech-student-be-featured-service-dog-docu/|title=Arkansas college student with PTSD to be featured in documentary on service dogs|date=2018-10-03|website=Arkansas Online|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
Adam LeGrand struggled with nightmares and traumatic memories after serving as a combat medic in the U.S. Air Force. They were so bad, he even considered ending his own life. After being paired with his dog, Molly, he was able to become a functioning member of society again and reduce his daily medications from 20 down to one.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dailyorange.com/2018/11/many-veterans-service-dogs-allow-readjust-civilian-life/|title=For many veterans, service dogs allow them to readjust to civilian life|date=2018-11-11|website=The Daily Orange - The Independent Student Newspaper of Syracuse, New York|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
Louis Belluomini served as a U.S. Army Captain for nine years. He was diagnosed with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Local-veteran-and-his-dog-star-in-documentary-thats-getting-worldwide-attention-501384422.html|title=Local veteran and his dog part of documentary that's getting worldwide attention|last=Guyton|first=Lissa|website=www.13abc.com|language=english|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> While suffering a flashback, he lost control of his car and drove off the road. When Belluomini was partnered with his dog, Star, it was a great relief to his family.
Since its founding, K9s for Warriors has saved the lives of more than 400 veterans and 800 dogs.
== Production ==
Schluterman was initially hesitant to appear in the production, but finally agreed because she “wanted to help other veterans by sharing her story."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/oct/03/arkansas-tech-student-be-featured-service-dog-docu/|title=Arkansas college student with PTSD to be featured in documentary on service dogs|date=2018-10-03|website=Arkansas Online|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
Belluomini agreed to appear in the film after he was approached by the public relations director of DNA Films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.limaohio.com/news/329137/film-featuring-findlay-vets-story-shown|title=Film featuring Findlay vet’s story shown|date=2018-11-19|website=The Lima News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
== Fundraising ==
Belluomini hosted a screening of ''A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story'' at the [[University of Findlay]], where he hoped to raise $15,000 for the K9s for Warriors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.findlay.edu/star-show-emmy-award-nominated-documentary-highlights-local-army-veteran-service-dog-screened-uf/|title=Star of the Show: Emmy Award-Nominated Documentary that Highlights Local Army Veteran and Service Dog to be Screened at UF|date=2018-11-05|website=Findlay Newsroom|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
Belloumini, LeGrand, and Schluterman appeared a screening and panel discussion at [[Syracuse University]] hosted by the Student Veterans Organization which aimed to raise $20,000 for K9s for Warriors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2018/11/04/student-veterans-organization-to-present-a-new-leash-on-life-film-screening-k9s-for-warriors-fundraiser/|title=Student Veterans Organization to Present ‘A New Leash on Life’ Film Screening, K9s for Warriors Fundraiser|website=SU News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
Belluomini hosted several other screenings of the film to raise funds for K9s for Warriors, including at Putnam County District Library in Ottawa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.limaohio.com/news/337946/local-veteran-debuts-emmy-nominated-documentary-at-putnam-county-district-library|title=Local veteran debuts Emmy-nominated documentary at Putnam County District Library|date=2019-01-22|website=The Lima News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
Belloumini, LeGrand, and Schluterman were featured in a [[Fox & Friends|Fox and Friends]] segment on [[Fox News]] with Nick Nanton and Sheri Duval where they talked about the film and their experiences with K9s for Warriors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://video.foxnews.com/v/5797063266001/|title=Veterans get new leash on life with K9s for Warriors|date=2018-06-13|website=Fox News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref>
== Awards ==
''A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story'' was presented at the Suncoast Regional Emmy awards in 2018 where it won Emmys for Direction, Editing, Photography and Documentary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suncoastchapter.org/awards/emmy-awards/2018-emmy-awards/|title=2018 Emmy Awards {{!}} NATAS Suncoast|website=suncoastchapter.org|access-date=2019-03-12}}</ref> &nbsp;
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|8667750|A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story}}
* ''[https://www.amazon.com/A-New-Leash-On-Life/dp/B07JQ5S6S7 A New Leash on Life: The K9s for Warriors Story]'' at [[Amazon Prime]]
* [https://video.foxnews.com/v/5797063266001/#sp=show-clips Veterans get new leash on life with K9s for Warriors] ([[Fox & Friends|Fox and Friends]] segment)
{{DEFAULTSORT:New Leash On Life, A: The K9s For Warriors Story}}
[[Category:2018 films]]
[[Category:Documentary films about veterans]]