Chattanooga Veteran & Service Dog Honored for #StillServing

Eric Dudash and his service dog Phantom are being honored for dedication to country and community in the VFW #StillServing campaign. The national Veterans of Foreign Wars #StillServing (vfw.org/stillserving) campaign recognizes veterans who continue to serve in their community after the military.

After his military service, Dudash struggled with PTSD, depression, nightmares and anxiety. He was referred to Warrior Freedom Service Dogs where one of the service dogs, Phantom, “chose” Dudash. The pair has been inseparable since.

Dudash and Phantom can often be seen #StillServing around town speaking to students and scouts and at ceremonies and businesses about patriotism, teamwork, resiliency and how service dogs help veterans. Phantom goes everywhere with Dudash, including in his volunteer roles at the local VFW Post and VFW Department of Alabama and as board member of Warrior Freedom Service Dogs.

Dudash credits Phantom with giving him back his life, enabling him to reduce his medication and comfortably be out in public again. He reminds him to take his medicine, wakes him from nightmares and provides physical and emotional support.

VFW is pleased to honor Dudash and Phantom for #StillServing and invites all veterans to share their stories at vfw.org/stillserving.