Jeff Ballard of Gorham participated in the Maine Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 5, as part of a relay team representing Orange Theory Fitness in South Portland. Jeff was accompanied by his service dog, Eddie, who ran alongside him.

Eddie, a highly trained service dog provided by K9s for Warriors in Ponte Vedra, Florida, has been an essential companion to Jeff, who is a retired Army Combat Medic. K9s for Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of service dogs, specializing in pairing Veterans with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injuries, or Military Sexual Trauma with highly skilled canine partners to support their recovery and enhance their quality of life.

This year, the Maine Marathon selected “Maine Paws for Veterans” as one of its charity beneficiaries, giving special meaning to Jeff ’s participation. As a Veteran living with combat-related disabilities, Jeff is acutely aware of the positive impact that service dogs can have on a Veteran’s life. The mission of “Maine Paws for Veterans” aligns closely with his personal experiences and the support he has received from Eddie.

“Having Eddie by my side has given me a renewed sense of peace and hope,” said Jeff. “I want other Veterans to experience the same sense of freedom and healing that a service dog can bring. Running in this marathon with Eddie felt like the perfect way to raise awareness for an organization that provides these life-changing partnerships.”