Meet Matt & Sundown: A Service Dog Partnership Making a Difference Beyond the Home
For many veterans, the transition from military service to civilian life comes with challenges that aren’t always visible. At Tier One Service Dog Foundation, we believe that specially trained psychiatric service dogs can help disabled veterans regain confidence, independence, and a greater sense of stability in their everyday lives.
For U.S. Coast Guard veteran Matt, that support comes on four paws and answers to the name Sundown.
Although Matt and Sundown are still in the early stages of their partnership, Sundown is already making a remarkable difference, not just at home, but in Matt’s demanding career as a nurse.
From Serving His Country to Caring for Others
Matt served honorably in the United States Coast Guard from January 2008 through December 2011, reaching the rank of E-3.
During his military career, Matt participated in search and rescue operations, law enforcement missions, and humanitarian response efforts throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Central America.
One of his most significant experiences came following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Matt’s unit was in the Dominican Republic when the earthquake struck and was among the first assets to arrive in Port-au-Prince. He spent approximately three months assisting with search and rescue operations, recovering victims, and providing medical assistance.
His Coast Guard service also involved operations addressing drug trafficking and human trafficking, with assignments taking him to locations including Cuba, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and other areas throughout the region.
Throughout his military career, Matt dedicated himself to helping people during some of their most difficult moments.
Today, that commitment to serving others continues through his work as a nurse.
Meet Sundown: A New Chapter for a Coast Guard Veteran
Through Tier One Service Dog Foundation, Matt was partnered with Sundown, a psychiatric service dog in training.
Our foundation provides specially trained service dogs to qualified disabled veterans at no cost, helping them navigate the challenges associated with service-connected psychiatric disabilities.
For Matt, Sundown’s presence has already provided something invaluable: a sense of reassurance and support during the demanding responsibilities of his career.
Recently, Sundown accompanied Matt to work for her first three consecutive 12.5-hour shifts.
Matt initially expected that Sundown would need to go home halfway through the day as she adjusted to the unfamiliar environment and long hours. Instead, she exceeded his expectations.
“She has far exceeded my expectations for her first days. I thought I’d be taking her home at lunch to get her used to the long days of work with me, but she has done amazing.”
What began as an introduction to the workplace quickly became an encouraging glimpse into their future together.
A Service Dog Learning to Navigate the Healthcare Workplace
Working in healthcare presents unique challenges for any service dog team. From busy hallways and medical equipment to patient interactions and unpredictable schedules, Sundown has plenty of new experiences to navigate.
Fortunately, Matt’s healthcare facility has been supportive of their developing partnership.
Sundown currently accompanies Matt as he moves between patient rooms. Depending on each patient’s and family’s comfort level, she either settles into a down-stay near the doorway or remains beside Matt as he administers medications, performs treatments, and provides patient care.
When Matt is completing documentation at his workstation, Sundown has a designated mat and water bowl where she can rest comfortably.
Throughout the day, Matt also makes time for short breaks, typically every three to four hours when his schedule allows. These opportunities help Sundown recharge and remain engaged during their long shifts.
During quieter periods, Sundown has even had opportunities to explore one of the facility’s therapy gyms and interact with patients and staff when appropriate.
The response from the healthcare community has been overwhelmingly positive.
According to Matt, staff members, physicians, patients, and families have been excited to see Sundown accompanying him throughout the facility.
Of course, one of the biggest challenges has been reminding everyone that Sundown is a working service dog and cannot always stop for pets!
Making a Difference Before Task Training Is Complete
One of the most meaningful aspects of Matt and Sundown’s story is that Sundown is already making a positive impact before beginning her individualized psychiatric service dog task training.
Psychiatric service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks that help mitigate their handlers’ disabilities. Depending on the veteran’s needs, these tasks may include interrupting certain behaviors, providing trained responses to anxiety-related symptoms, or assisting during episodes of psychiatric distress.
While Sundown and Matt will continue developing the specialized skills needed for their partnership, her presence has already changed how Matt experiences his workday.
Before bringing Sundown to work, Matt worried that adjusting to having a service dog beside him might temporarily add to his stress.
Instead, he experienced the opposite.
“She has made stressful and hard times much easier and easier to deal with. She has helped keep my anxiety and blood pressure down.”
For someone working shifts that begin around 6:45 a.m. and end around 7:30 p.m., having that additional sense of support can make a meaningful difference.
But perhaps the most powerful impact has been on Matt’s relationship with his profession.
Rediscovering His Passion for Nursing
Nursing is a demanding profession that requires patience, compassion, focus, and resilience. For Matt, Sundown has helped make those responsibilities feel more manageable.
In his own words:
“Having Sundown at work with me has made going to work much easier and allowed me to know why I am a nurse again.”
That statement captures something central to the mission of Tier One Service Dog Foundation.
Our goal isn’t simply to place service dogs with veterans. It’s to help veterans experience greater independence, confidence, and fulfillment in the lives they’ve built after military service.
For Matt, that means being able to continue doing what he loves: caring for others.
“She’s allowing me to feel better, which in turn helps me to be the best I can be and helps me to give the best care possible.”
While Matt and Sundown still have training milestones ahead, their early progress is a powerful reminder of what a strong service dog partnership can mean.
And for Matt, Sundown has already become an irreplaceable part of his life.
“I can’t imagine life at work and home without her.”
Supporting More Veterans Like Matt
Matt and Sundown’s partnership represents the reason Tier One Service Dog Foundation exists.
Every veteran deserves the opportunity to pursue a fulfilling life after military service, and for some, a psychiatric service dog can play an important role in making that possible.
Our nonprofit organization is dedicated to providing trained psychiatric service dogs to qualified disabled U.S. veterans at no cost.
Each service dog partnership represents more than $40,000 in training, equipment, and support, made possible through donations, sponsorships, volunteers, and the generosity of our community.
As Matt and Sundown continue their training together, we look forward to watching their partnership grow and celebrating the milestones still ahead.
You can help us create more partnerships like Matt and Sundown’s.
Visit www.t1sdf.org to learn more about our mission, explore our veteran service dog program, or make a donation to support the training of future service dogs.
Because for veterans like Matt, a service dog can make a difference far beyond the home.