New Children’s Book Shares Tale of Real-Life Hero Dog that Inspired Service Dog Nonprofit

It’s hard for me to put into words what it means to see Axel’s story in print (ironic as that may be).

I’ve always thought the story of the service dog who saved my life would make an inspiring book. A German shepherd rescued from an animal shelter rescued me and, as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan entered their second decades, became the living embodiment of the healing power of service animals for those suffering from the “unseen wounds” of military service.

Though I would have loved to see Axel’s story in print years ago, it wasn’t until I began talking to Dr. Jennifer Dunaway, a friend and Leashes of Valor supporter, in 2023 that the idea finally started to take shape. 

I will be forever grateful to Dr. Dunaway for volunteering her time and talents to make Axel’s Story: The True Story of a Military Veteran’s Service Dog, a reality. I am so proud to announce that this illustrated children’s book is now available on Amazon as a digital download and in paperback on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Told from a dog’s perspective, Axel’s Story opens when Axel is rescued at six months old from an animal shelter. As in real life, Axel trains to be a service dog, and is paired with a Marine with “both joy and pain” in his eyes.  

From our first airplane ride to traveling across the country together to taking home the title of Service Dog of the Year, Axel’s Story chronicles many of our adventures together. It ends with a call for kindness, love, and compassion—three things Axel gave me and those he met in abundance. 

On the day Axel and met, I never could have imagined just how much Axel would change my life, and I can never repay all those who have been part of our journey.

What I can do is continue Axel’s legacy of “lov” by working as hard as I can every day to give other veterans the same gift I received. 

I am so excited to share this story for the first time during Service Dog Awareness Month, when we “paws” to recognize and celebrate the life-changing impact of these animals—and the ripple effects of one dog in particular.

Retired Marine Corps Capt. Jason Haag is the founder and CEO of Leashes of Valor.