Warrior's Promise Foundation Supporting Edward J. Carey
One of the many programs the Warrior's Promise Foundation offers is supporting Veterans in obtaining a service dog. We work directly with the Military Veteran, Companion Training in Boise, Id and the Veterans Administration to help these men and women who could greatly improve the quality of their lives with the use of a service dog. We are currently raising funds for Air Force Veteran Edward J. Carey II. Please read his story. If you would like to support Edward, click on the Donate Button below.




More about Edward

Edward J. Carey II was born in Chicago, IL in 1967, the youngest of 9 children. He first entered Military Service in May of 1989, and spent four years with the Air Force stationed at the Hill Air Force Base Hospital in Utah. His main responsibilities were in Obstetrics, where he helped deliver babies, and as a Medical Surgical technician. He ended his Air Force career as an EMT in the Hospital Emergency Room. Edward exited the Air Force in May of 1993.

During a four-year break from service, Edward went back to school and achieved his Associates Degree in Business Management/Medical Assisting.

In March of 1997, Edward reentered military service, this time with the Army as a Combat Medic. Shortly after basic training, he shipped out to Friedberg Germany and deployed to Bosnia with 1/36 Infantry in the fall of 1997. His team was based out of Camp Bedrock near Tuzla, Bosnia. After a short 6-month tour, he returned with his unit to Germany.

In 1998, while on leave in Utah, 2 weeks after he left Bosnia, he married his sweetheart Danja. He got to spend 2 weeks with her and his two new teenaged daughters KaLyn and Kathrine before he headed back to Germany. His new family joined him 8 months later.

In 2001, he and his family received orders to report to Texas and the 1st Cavalry Division.

Edward served as a Squad Leader for the 1st Cavalry HHC 215th Support Battalion, Medical Platoon, and was then reassigned to HHC 1st Cav, Division Surgeon’s Office. He was the primary instructor at their 91W academy teaching EMT, PHTLS & BTLS classes to the medical troops of the 1st Cav, training and testing soldiers for combat lifesaver and EMT certification. His final post was serving as Medical Platoon Sergeant for the Special Troops Battalion before exiting the military on March 28th 2008.

Edward deployed twice to Iraq. His first time was a 12-month tour with HHC 1st Cav as a Squad Leader and the second was a 15-month tour as The Special Troops Battalion Medical Platoon Sergeant. During his tours in Iraq Edward completed 125 combat missions, managed and maintained the Battalion aid station, and continued providing combat medical training for soldiers. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor for actions and training that saved the lives of at least 50 soldiers. He was also awarded the Combat Action Badge and the Combat Medic Badge.

Shortly before his separation from the military, Edward was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He found employment with a medical clinic that specialized in hyperbaric chamber healing for diabetic and cancer patients; however, it became immediately apparent that his experiences in Iraq had made it impossible for him to continue in the medical field. He began having issues with severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors and an extremely heightened danger sensitivity, which made it extremely difficult for him to be in crowded or unfamiliar areas and situations.

At this point, Edward decided to continue his education, choosing to work towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotions and Education at the University of Utah (Utes) in Salt Lake City. He was concerned, however about dealing with his PTSD while attending his classes, so he started looking into getting a PTSD service animal through the VA.

The VA gave him permission to find a service animal and train her. Edward and Alexia (Lexi) met in November 2008 and the team was born. Lexi was 4 months old when she started working with Edward and in her first months with him she accompanied him from Utah to Georgia for his mother’s funeral, and even made it possible for him to attend a Ute football game with his family.

Since he got Lexi, Edward has completed two years of his degree and gotten a part time job as a courier, working with his daughter, KaLyn, at an appraisal firm in Salt Lake City. Edward and Lexi are a common sight on campus, as well as walking around the city while he makes his stops at state offices and banks.

Lexi is two years old now and has to complete the next steps of her training in order to continue working as a service animal. Edward took her to Companion Training in Boise, Idaho to work with TJ and Dawn Smith. He tries not to call and check on her every day, but Dawn and TJ have been very understanding.