A Hampton Roads-area first responder with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the first firefighter to receive a service dog through Service Dogs of Virginia. Now, he’s encouraging others to to seek help if they’re struggling.
“I just want everyone to know that it is OK to not be OK,” Chris Moore said.
Moore is a second-generation firefighter with 27 years of service.
“It’s a calling. It’s in your blood,” Moore said.
When he’s not putting out a fire, he’s battling his own struggles: “In 2017, I started having a lot of personal issues. I didn’t know what was going on. I was finally diagnosed with PTSD related to my career field,” Moore said.
After his diagnosis, Moore discovered Service Dogs of Virginia, an organization that places trained dogs with people who need more support.