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On January 19, 2025, a black Labradoodle named Eddie was born at Crossfield Doodles in Leesport, Pennsylvania. At first glance, Eddie is like any other puppy: curious, playful, and full of promise. But his story carries a deeper meaning. Eddie is not just a dog; he is part of a life-changing mission.
He was named in honor of a World War II veteran and is being raised within a nationally respected service dog program. Every step of Eddie’s journey is supported by The Hero Company, an organization committed to giving back to those who have served.
Eddie is named afterCorporal Edward Benjamin Poplasky, a World War II Army veteran who served in multiple major campaigns, including Normandy, the Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe.
Like many veterans of his era, Edward rarely spoke about his service. He enlisted as a teenager, returned to duty after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and earned multiple honors, including four Bronze Stars.
To his family, the naming of a service dog in his honor is deeply meaningful. It transforms a quiet legacy into something living and active, something that will go on to help another veteran heal.
As his daughters shared, the gesture is “very heartwarming,” and something their father would have been proud to be part of. Through Eddie, Edward Poplasky’s legacy continues, not in memory alone, but in action.
Eddie is being trained byTails of Valor, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans, law enforcement, and emergency personnel heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Founded in 2014, Tails of Valor takes a unique approach. Instead of relying solely on traditional treatments, they focus on non-medicinal, canine-assisted therapies that treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Their mission centers around the powerful bond between humans and dogs. Through their patented program,Journey with a Purpose®, they:
Build emotional connection and trust
Encourage social engagement and communication
Help individuals develop coping mechanisms
Support long-term post-traumatic growth
All of their programs are provided at no cost to those they serve, a commitment made possible through donors and partners like The Hero Company. And at the heart of it all are dogs like Eddie.
Eddie’s path to becoming a service dog is carefully structured and deeply intentional. It’s not just about obedience; it’s about shaping a calm, reliable partner who can support someone through life’s hardest moments.
A puppy’s lessons begin as soon as they arrive at Tails of Valor and focus on building confidence. Eddie and other Doodles like him spend their early days being introduced to everyday life (people, sounds, different environments, etc.) so they learn to trust the world around them.
Next, trainers help them master basic commands and the ability to stay calm and focused amid distractions. As they get older, pups like Eddie hone their skills in real-world settings, like dog-friendly stores and events.
Around their first birthday, the dogs are ready to focus on more specialized skills that will one day help them assist their paired veteran. Some of these tasks may include:
Interrupting anxiety or PTSD episodes
Providing deep pressure therapy
Retrieving essential items
Creating space in crowded environments
Only after thorough evaluation are pups-in-training paired with veterans whose needs, lifestyle, and personality align with theirs. At that moment, they are no longer just well-trained dogs; they become partners in healing.
Eddie’s entire journey, from puppyhood to placement, is beingsponsored by The Hero Company, a veteran-focused brand with a powerful mission.
The Hero Company is best known for producing high-quality everyday products, like apparel, grooming items, and coffee, with a purpose behind every purchase. Their business model is simple but impactful:
Every purchase helps fund programs that support U.S. veterans.
Through partnerships like the one with Tails of Valor, The Hero Company ensures its contributions go directly toward meaningful, on-the-ground work—such as training service dogs for veterans in need.
As they put it:
“Generous donations and Hero Co purchases directly support these dedicated teams who are tirelessly working on the ground, pairing and training service dogs for our Veterans. Together, we are making a profound difference, funding the essential work that transforms lives.”
In Eddie’s case, that support means:
His training is fully funded
His care, socialization, and development are supported
His future veteran will receive him at no cost
This partnership turns everyday consumer choices into real, life-changing outcomes.
Right now, Eddie hasn’t met the veteran he will one day serve. He doesn’t yet know the person whose life he will help save. He hasn’t learned all the tasks he will eventually perform. He’s still growing, learning, and discovering the world. But even at this early stage, his purpose is clear.
He represents a tribute to a veteran who served decades ago, a future lifeline for a veteran who needs support today, and a bridge between compassion, community, and action.
Programs like Tails of Valor remind us that healing doesn’t always come from prescriptions or procedures. Sometimes, it comes from connection, trust, companionship, and unconditional support. And partnerships like the one with The Hero Company show how businesses and nonprofits can work together to make that healing possible.
Eddie’s story is still unfolding, but even now, his journey tells us something important: small beginnings can lead to profound change in someone’s life. And that’s a story worth following.
