Robert Irvine Foundation
Bryan Callahan
Navy HMCS
Trust, Safety, and Healing After Service
Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Bryan dedicated 20 years of his life to the U.S. Navy, serving with distinction on five deployments, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. His career placed him in some of the most demanding environments, where he provided critical medical care under pressure and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with those on the front lines. The work was intense, often dangerous, and came with sacrifices that would follow him long after leaving active duty.
Over time, Bryan was diagnosed with epilepsy, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—conditions that profoundly changed his day-to-day life. The unpredictability of seizures created a constant undercurrent of anxiety, making it difficult for him to feel safe away from home. Fear of having a seizure in public and the physical toll of recovery often left him isolated from his family, friends, and community.
Wellness Program _
Service Dog Vera Recipient
In 2023, hope arrived in the form of Vera, a highly trained seizure response and PTSD service dog. Vera’s skills are lifesaving—she can sense when a seizure is coming, alert Bryan’s family, and retrieve emergency medication. During post-seizure recovery, she stays by his side, offering both comfort and protection until he regains his strength. Her presence also helps interrupt moments of anxiety and grounds Bryan during episodes of PTSD.
For Bryan, Vera is more than just a service animal—she’s a bridge back to independence. With her by his side, he has regained the confidence to re-engage with the world, spend time with loved ones, and take part in community life without the constant fear of “what if.” Together, they’ve forged a partnership built on trust, loyalty, and unconditional support, giving Bryan not only safety, but also the companionship and hope he once thought he’d lost.