Recognizing Ron Flaville

Floor Speech

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the unique contributions of one of my constituents, Ron Flaville. After growing up in a military family, Ron joined the Marine Corps after high school where he served as a Communications Center Operator, from 1996- 2000. In 2001, he joined the Pennsylvania Army National Guard deploying to Iraq in 2004. Two years later enlisted in the Army. Serving on active duty, he deployed to Iraq again in 2009. Medically retired in 2013, Ron moved to Florida with his wife and children and soon began to experience severe struggles with PTSD. Prescribed antipsychotic medications did little to alleviate his anxiety; mood swings and volatility . . . and the severity of his symptoms made his family feel unsafe. In 2013 Ron and his wife, Kellie, met Mary Peter, a nationally known Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) and founder of K9 Partners for Patriots. Under Mary's tutelage, Ron began training his German Shepherd, Sophia, to become a PTSD service dog. Working side by side with Mary as the first Veteran in K9P4P, he has since climbed the ranks from Certified Trainer to Veteran Liaison, to Treasurer; and was appointed Chief Executive Officer for K9P4P in 2019. Consideration of Ron's accomplishments is best appreciated by Veterans battling their own demons. They know PTSD has no cure and its `triggers' are often unforeseeable. Trusting his training and his K9 partner, Ron found his path forward and was able to repair relationships and re-connect with his wife and children. With each responsibility more demanding than the previous one, the challenges he tackled at K9 Partners for Patriots showed each Veteran in the program they can do it; they've got reason to hope and to believe in better days ahead.

It is clear that Mr. Flaville has made a profoundly positive impact on our community and on the lives of countless people he has worked with in the fight against the horrific crime of human trafficking. I am grateful for his service.

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