Unfortunately, the scarifies servicemen make don't always end after they leave active duty. Numerous veterans return home not only with physical wounds, but with mental scars that can make it hard to cope in the normal world.
Veteran Jim Stanek is one of these men. After assisting with 9/11 cleanup in New York City as a volunteer firefighter, Stanek served three tours in Iraq. When he returned from his final tour, the veteran was handicapped by a traumatic brain injury and severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Stanek attempted to obtain a service dog to help him cope, but he found himself constantly delayed by red tape and large bills. Instead of giving up, Stanek and his wife, Lindsey, formed Paws and Stripes, a nonprofit that helps veterans adopt trained service dogs for little to no cost.
Paws and Stripes's work is now getting national attention through A&E's new show Dogs of War . The program, which premieres on Nov. 11, follows the Staneks as they work to match troubled veterans with a furry and understanding friend.
PEOPLE has an exclusive look at the first episode of Dogs of War, which follows Michael – a devoted father, husband and veteran – who has been suffering from severe PTSD for the last decade.
In the clip above, viewers get a peek into the detailed and personal process the Staneks use to pair Michael with the perfect dog to help with his paralyzing fear of crowds.
"The bond with the dog has got to be between you and the dog," Jim Stanek tells Michael as they head in to meet Michael's potential service dogs face to face. "That's it."
While Michael seems reserved at first, it's impossible to miss the light that comes into his eyes when he starts interacting with the animals.
"The really cool part is seeing that magic," Stanek says.
Watch A&E's premiere episode of Dogs of War Tuesday at 10/9c.
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