Welcome to Bailey’s heroes.

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My name is Patrick Gallagher. I retired at the end of 2020 after a 25-year career with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department. I have been married to my high school sweetheart Melissa for 28 years. We have three outstanding kids Taylor, Jack and Lauren. At the time of my retirement, covid protocols had greatly diminished the capacity of the Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s office. Criminals were not being held accountable and were being released right back onto the street. The constant anti-law enforcement rhetoric by protest organizations overwhelmed my senses. I lost hope as well as my sense of purpose for my profession. I took my shadow box and snuck out the back door without ever celebrating my 25 years of service.

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I had hoped retirement would bring a sense of peace and serenity to my life. I soon realized my depression and anxiety did not retire with the uniform. I was unable to turn off the “fight” or “flight” response in my brain. It was a constant movie reel replaying in my head. I used alcohol in excess as a coping mechanism to deal with my unresolved trauma. At the depths of my despair, I lost hope. I was extremely angry and tried to push away those closest to me. 

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My rock bottom came on June 14th, 2021. My wife had come home to discover me drunk. Melissa fought for me at this time when I was unwilling to fight for myself. She insisted I get some real help. I finally admitted I could not do this on my own and was accepted into the West Coast Post-Trauma retreat (WCPR).

The goal of WCPR is to provide “treatment, education, and peer support designed to help current and former first responders recover from work-related stress, including post-traumatic stress injuries”.

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Our dog Bailey came into my family’s life at the most opportune time. We already had 3 dogs when my daughter Lauren asked if she could have this beautiful white golden retriever (Bailey) for free. There was only one catch, we would be a “guardian” home for the dog. The breeder would require the dog to have three liters of puppies to sell and then we would own Bailey. I initially protested. I did not want to be involved with raising puppies. I reluctantly agreed and Bailey moved into our home.

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I had to wait a few months until my retreat. During this time, I battled my depression and stopped drinking using sheer willpower. I also continued to isolate at home. The one constant I had in my life was Bailey. She was in my face every day with her sheer determination to be taken outside to play. I took her to the park and began to make connections with people and their dogs. I began to see through my cynicism. I realized there are still many good people in the world. With Bailey by my side, I was finally starting to let my guard down.

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I attended WCPR two weeks after Bailey’s second litter of puppies were born on September 11th, 2021. At the retreat, my walls were smashed down and replaced by positive coping mechanisms. I learned much of my anger was just a mask for fear. All the “whys” for my life began to be answered. I admitted I was an alcoholic. I was finally freed from the shame and guilt. I no longer had to use will power to avoid alcohol. During this week, I also realized the vital role Bailey had played in my life. She practiced unconditional love, loved to socialize and she always had a smile on her face. These were all traits I aspired to practice in my life again.

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I shared photos of the two-week-old puppies to fellow peers at the retreat. Due to the costs of these puppies, I was inspired to start a non-profit. I asked the breeder if she would donate a female puppy from Bailey’s liter for my non-profit. She agreed and we kept “Kara” from the liter. Bailey’s daughter Kara has now had her first litter of puppies.  Our mission is to sell some of the puppies to the public so we can provide the other puppies free as emotional support dogs to first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress injuries.

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My family was truly blessed with raising three litters of puppies. Due to my profession, I had conditioned myself that kindness and love are weaknesses. These puppies allowed me to learn how to express love in a safe environment without shame or embarrassment. It also united my family together because we raised these puppies with pure love for a common purpose. We saw first hand the impact a new dog can have on an adoptive family’s life. I know the time we have here is precious. I now apply these lessons to my life. I never pass up the opportunity to tell my friends and family I love them, unconditionally!

 

​I have found a renewed sense of faith and purpose. I now have the courage to share my story in the hopes it may inspire others to seek help. I am grateful to be alive, to be loved by a beautiful wife and to be supported by three kids who are outstanding human beings.  I now try to live my life with grace, empathy and free of judgement. Our hope is that every first responder suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress injuries (full time or retired) experience the healing power of a canine companion.