There are 16.5 million Veterans across the United States according to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau. At some point in their life, 7 out of every 100 Veterans (or 7%) will have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the general population, 6 out of every 100 adults (or 6%) will have PTSD in their lifetime. “My name is Joshua McDonald. Most everyone calls me Josh,” said McDonald. “I am a father residing in Central Kentucky.” When time allows, Josh enjoys fishing and hiking with his dog, Maiko. However, he dedicates most of his time and energy to being a father to his children. McDonald is also permanently and totally disabled. “Going into the Army was not my plan at all. I was a very undisciplined and immature teenager. I had to hit rock bottom in my life before I made the decision to join. I just wanted to get away from it all,” said McDonald. “I walked into the recruiting office, took the ASVAB test, and was given a page full of possible jobs.” Josh chose to pursue a career in military police, signing a contract for five years of his life. “My first deployment was nine months long in the country of Kosovo from 2002 to 2003. I was attached to a Personal Security Detachment (PSD) unit to guard the safety of the commanding general of our task force.” McDonald’s time in the military ranged from February 14, 2001, through February 12, 2006, including time in Vilseck, Germany, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo FOB Warhorse, Iraq, and Fort Meade, Maryland. B y T a y l o r S h e a W e s t P h o t o s b y L y d i a S c h n i t z e r & S u b m i t t e d “Iraq was hot, miserable, depressing, and demoralizing to put it in a nice way. The only thing that kept us together, and from madness, was each other. My brothers mean the world to me. If I was needed at any time by any of them, I would drop whatever I was doing and call while I was on my way to get a ticket to go see them in person,” said Josh. “The bond that was created with the guys in my unit will forever hold a place in my heart. They are family to me.” Transitioning from the Army to civilian life post-deployment was extremely difficult for Josh. “I came home to friends and family who supported me but in no way understood anything I was dealing with,” said McDonald. “I drank heavily daily to numb out of life, just to wake up and have to do it all over again. I was too stubborn to go to the Veterans Affairs (VA) and ask for help. I believed I could handle it myself. I was wrong and nearly lost my wife in the process.” It wasn’t until 2009 before Josh walked into the VA and began the road to recovery. “I am still an active participant in therapy with the VA and continue to fight my demons on a daily basis,” said McDonald. Josh was diagnosed with PTSD, fearful of what was to become of life after service. That’s when a new wet-nosed friend, Maiko, became a major part of his life. Maiko is a full-blooded Labrador retriever. He loves taking walks, going on hikes, and taking long naps. Maiko also has a very important job - being Josh’s service dog. THE PARTNERSHIP OF A LIFETIME INTHEVUE.COM | FEBRUARY 2023 27 INTHEVUE.COM | APRIL 2023 27
