Sharing Stories to Make a Difference
As a romantic suspense author, I tell stories for a variety of reasons. I love the creative process—starting with a bit of research or just the glimmer of an idea and using my imagination to turn that fascinating sliver into a full-length novel that will entertain readers. I love the dialogue that books can generate, and I’m amazed at the tremendous impact a single book can have on people.
One of the most satisfying things about being an author is bringing together readers who share common interests. I’ve seen books bond people who have the same values and support the same causes. For me and many of my readers, one of those causes is military service members, including the four-legged warriors.
My Jacki Delecki author platform—my network of readers, authors and people I’ve connected with doing research for my romantic suspense stories—provides an opportunity to share information, news and stories about military veterans and service dogs. I’m always proud to pay tribute to these heroic men, women and canines, and raise awareness about how others can support agencies and organizations dedicated to this cause. I recently learned about such an organization when I saw a story about K9s for Warriors featured on Consumers Advocate,
K9s For Warriors, a BBB accredited charity founded in 2011, trains rescue dogs to be service animals and then pairs them with soldiers dealing with trauma such as “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or military sexual trauma (MST), as a result of military service on or after 9/11.”
Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of warriors, K9s For Warriors has rescued more than 850 dogs and 440 military service members. The organization is continually striving to do more and even participated in a university study assessing the effectiveness of service dogs as therapy for soldiers and veterans suffering from PTSD.
When I hear about organizations like K9s For Warriors, it’s the personal stories filled with emotion that inspire the storyteller in me. One story is that of Tiffany Baker, an Army National Guard soldier who suffered significant injuries due to an IED explosion. She was paired with Buddy, a rescue dog who’d been abused and neglected. She describes herself as Buddy’s service human, just as he is her service dog.
This kind of loyalty, devotion, courage and generosity is perfect for a romance novel. In 2015, I released Men Under Fire, book 3 in the Grayce Walters contemporary romantic suspense series. The hero, Sergeant Nick Welby and his bomb-sniffing golden lab, both traumatized by battle, become involved in efforts to thwart a terrorist plot targeting Seattle. They end up saving the day and falling in love with Hollie Thomas, a tough-yet-vulnerable former street kid.
While my stories are fictional, real-life stories like the founders of K9s For Warriors and the service members and canines they rescue demonstrate how kindness, compassion and love can lead to happy endings.
