Puppy Bowl Winner Meets Retired Veteran And Sparks A Reinvigorating New Purpose
As an award-winning support animal, Kirby the Labrador retriever is a perfect example of why dogs are known as man’s best friend. Before Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender met Kirby, he was struggling with physical and emotional injuries from his service, but when he was introduced to Kirby, it turned his life around. Now they both have a new purpose in life, and they’re making headlines in the process!
Decorated service
Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender gave everything for his country as a member of the United States Army. He’s a decorated soldier, having served for 34 years across several branches, including Military Intelligence, Infantry, Air Defense Artillery, and Field Artillery. The Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal are among his many awards. Yet although he retired in 2018 Bittenbender still carries the scars of war with him, as he told People magazine in 2023.
Injured in the line of duty
“I had my left leg amputated on February 17, 2022, due to burn-pit exposure in Afghanistan,” Bittenbender revealed. “And I suffered from PTSD, a TBI, and peripheral neuropathy in my legs and hands.” In case you’re unfamiliar with those terms, burn pits were commonly used in Afghanistan and Iraq to dispose of military waste, which unfortunately creates a toxic smoke. You’re probably more familiar with PTSD, which stands for post-traumatic stress disorder, while TBI is an acronym for a traumatic brain injury.
Losses
Bittenbender continued, “That neuropathy is due in part to my exposure to burn pit-exposure. I lost three of my guys on August 27, 2007, due to an ambush… subsequently, I lost a fourth member of my team from injuries that he suffered that day as well.” Losing so much and then experiencing the loss of a limb as well took its toll, as he told America’s VetDogs that same year. He said, “From my first amputation, I fell into a very dark, dark spot.” In his despair, Bittenbender even considered taking his own life.
The road to recovery
The former soldier told People, “Between my mobility and my PTSD, I was doing my rehabilitation at Walter Reed Medical Center, and America's VetDogs just so happened to walk into my life at the time when I could really benefit.” The organization was specifically created to assist veterans and first responders struck with disabilities by helping them reclaim their independence with service dogs. It’s arguably best-known for matching George H.W. Bush with his service dog Sully, who became famous in 2018.
