Robert Irvine Foundation
Shane Mahaffy
Retired Navy
Shane served nearly 15 years as a Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), a role that placed him among an elite group trained for high-risk maritime special operations. His career took him across the globe on six deployments, each filled with intense missions, long stretches away from home, and the constant physical and mental demands of combat. Over the years, the toll of service accumulated—multiple injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), compression fractures, and the lasting effects of severe PTSD became part of his daily reality.
Transitioning to civilian life was far from easy. The lingering pain from his injuries affected his mobility, while the symptoms of PTSD—especially hypervigilance—made even simple outings overwhelming. Crowded spaces, unfamiliar environments, and the unpredictability of daily life often kept Shane on edge, limiting his ability to engage fully with his family and community.
Wellness Program _
Service Dog Yeti Recipient
Still in the Fight: A Special Warfare Veteran’s Next Mission
In 2023, hope and help arrived in the form of Yeti, a specially trained service dog. Yeti provides critical mobility assistance, helping Shane maintain balance and stability. He also acts as a calming presence in public, easing hypervigilance and creating a buffer in crowded spaces. Beyond his physical tasks, Yeti offers the steady, unconditional companionship that has given Shane the confidence to step back into parts of life he once avoided.
With Yeti by his side, Shane has been able to reclaim moments that matter most—playing with his children, participating in family activities, and contributing more fully at work. Their partnership is more than practical—it’s transformative. Together, Shane and Yeti are proof that healing doesn’t mean forgetting the past, but finding the strength to move forward with trust, purpose, and hope.