At Freedom Service Dogs, we are a community of everyday game changers who inspire happiness, hope, and possibility in the lives of people challenged with disabilities. With the help of our custom-trained assistance dogs, dedicated staff and volunteers, and generous donors, we make the impossible possible. Many of those we serve also make a profound impact in their communities, proving that people with disabilities can lead lives filled with joy and potential, especially with a Freedom Service Dog by their side.

One such remarkable individual is U.S. Marine Corps veteran James. During his time serving in four different units as a staff sergeant, James received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for locating and destroying an Improvised Explosive Device, saving the lives of his fellow Marines and Afghan soldiers.

In July 2012, James was attempting to disarm an Improvised Explosive Device in Afghanistan when it detonated, resulting in a life-altering injury that led to the amputation of his right hand and vision loss in his left eye. Upon returning to civilian life, he also struggled with PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. Unwilling to let his disabilities prevent him from living his life to the fullest, James turned to adaptive sports and Freedom Service Dogs.

An avid outdoorsman, James had only snowboarded a few times before deciding to attend the Hartford Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge, Colorado, one of the nation’s largest winter sports festivals for people with disabilities. There, he discovered not only a natural talent for snowboarding but also a newfound sense of joy and endless possibility. Said James, “I started meeting other adaptive athletes and training with them. By then, I was hooked. I really enjoyed the community and wanted to be a part of it.”

After years of dedication and training with fellow athletes, James competed in the 2015 IPCAS Para Snowboard World Championships in La Molina, Spain, where he placed sixth in Men’s Snowboard Cross and eighth in Men’s Banked Slalom. His next journey took him to the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in South Korea, where he represented the United States and finished fifteenth in Men’s Snowboard Cross and fourteenth in Men’s Banked Slalom.

For James, these accomplishments meant more than titles and representing his country in the sport he loves—they symbolized triumph over adversity and empowered others living with disabilities to recognize their own potential. “Adaptive athletes are just like any other athlete, and I wish more people understood that. Just because we are adaptive, doesn’t mean we can’t do whatever else anyone can do—we just have to be more adaptable with our disability. We work just as hard as any able-bodied athlete, if not harder, year-round to train. I hope more people begin to recognize adaptive athletes for their accomplishments and respect the work they put in,” says James.

After his competitive snowboarding career, James embarked on his next epic adventure, this time with a companion who had four paws and a wagging tail. In June 2022, James found his perfect match in Freedom Service Dog Zena who helps him by providing unconditional companionship, retrieving items, interrupting PTSD symptoms, tugging clothes off, and helping him gain more independence. With Zena by his side, James realized that their possibilities were endless.

Today, James enjoys spending time on the slopes with Zena at his job as a lead ski patroller on Copper Mountain. Zena accompanies James at work, often riding the ski lift to the top of the mountain to start their day doing snow mitigation and putting up accurate signage for other snowboarders and skiers. At the end of each day, Zena gets to run down the slope with a blissful smile on her face. “I don’t snowboard competitively anymore, but I enjoy being out there with Zena every day and seeing how happy she is.”

When asked what advice he would give to someone with disabilities interested in doing adaptive sports, James said, “Just go for it and give it a shot! The adaptive sports community is very welcoming and inclusive and has a lot of sportsmanship. They really come together and bring everyone in. It’s really fun, and you have nothing to lose!”

This year, James looks forward to watching the Paris 2024 Olympics with Zena and the rest of his family and is especially excited for the track and field and gymnastics events, his daughter’s favorites. Go Team USA!

To read more about team James and Zena, click here.

You can make a difference in the lives of veterans like James by donating to Freedom Service Dogs today.

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