Captain leaves the Washington Capitals to meet retired Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gwathmey, as a service dog for American VetDogs.
SAINT LEONARD, Md. – Unfortunately, the Washington Capitals won’t have their favorite team on the ice rink next season. But it’s for a good cause because Captain made his permanent home in Saint Leonard, Maryland as the service dog for a retired Marine.
“There really are no words to say thank you enough because what you have given us along with America’s VetDogs is a priceless gift,” said CeCe Gwathmey, wife of retired US Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gwathmey. “This dog could potentially save my husband’s life more than once.”
During his 22-year tenure with the Marines, Mark Gwathmey was injured in multiple explosions during his more than two dozen sorties, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. He is now suffering from a seizure disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder that causes him night terrors.
Captain became famous as the Capital’s official puppy and social media expert. The puppy that so many fell in love with playing the Capitals is now trained to help Gwathmey 24 hours a day.
“He takes care of me around the clock,” said Mark Gwathmey. “He’ll always have my six.”
Captain has been trained to assist Mark Gwathmey with several tasks to mitigate the veteran’s handicap, including finding dropped items, counterbalance, summoning aid, seizure response, position cues to expand personal space, and PTSD cues such as rest, nightmare interruption and shaking .
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Mark Gwathmey described his nightly horror as “waking up, sometimes in a deep sweat and panic”. Just as he was beginning to delve deeper during an interview, Captain jumped up and began to comfort him, almost knowing that Gwathmey needed Captains comforting touch.
When asked if it was love at first sight with Captain, Mark Gwathmey’s answer was simple.
“Yeah! I think it was,” he said.
His wife repeated his feelings.
“Captain couldn’t take his eyes off Mark from the start,” she said. “Mark was having a really hard time two weeks before the Captain’s arrival, and he had more episodes, more nightmares, more migraines. It’s almost like Captain knew Mark was in a bad spot and he just said, ‘I’m here, I have you,’ and it has been like that ever since.
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Captain never leaves Mark Gwathmey, and if he falls or has a seizure, Captain knows exactly what to do. There is a “Request Help Command” button on the wall in her living room. Soon there will be one in her basement and outside. When Mark Gwathmey needs help, Captain runs to the button and presses it. A piece of music sounds and tells CeCe that Mark needs help.
“I feel relieved, relieved that this dog’s only purpose now is to help Mark,” said CeCe Gwathmey.
Captain is Mark Gwathmey’s second service dog through America’s Vet Dogs – a nonprofit that provides service dogs to veterans with disabilities. His first dog, Larry, died three years ago and Mark Gwathmey said when he saw Captain he got emotional because Captain Larry is the likeness.
Larry saved Mark’s life several times, and Mark Gwathmey said he couldn’t imagine his life without a service dog.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the very first America’s Vet Dog,” he said.
Mark Gwathmey said he was in a dark place and had difficulty walking and speaking due to his traumatic brain injury. But a service dog gave him a new life in the truest sense of the word.
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The Washington Capitals sponsored Captain, funded his specialty training, and prepared him for the next step. Now the Gwathmeys say they are forever grateful.
“I’m blessed the Capitals have sponsored it,” said Mark Gwathmey. “I’m lucky to have him as my buddy and my service dog.”
The Captain’s training has taught him the skills he needs to lead a life in the service of a Marine who can now enjoy his life to the full.
RELATED: The new Washington Capitals team member is ready to “mess things up” in Saturday’s home opener.
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