Depressed Marine’s Family Hands Him Special Gift, When He Sees What’s Inside, He Loses It.

Three years ago, Peter Coukoulis came home to Tallahassee, FL, after serving with the U.S. Marine Corps. Upon his return to civilian life, Coukoulis began struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Side effects of PTSD can include anxiety, depression, flashbacks, insomnia and/or isolation.

The heroic 26-year-old veteran found it difficult to reconnect with normal, everyday life.

After watching her son battle PTSD, Coukoulis’ mother Dena came up with a brilliant plan. She secretly bought a tiny beagle pup for her son, knowing the dog would help her son’s treatment by serving as his loyal service animal.

A few weeks before Christmas 2016, the Marine’s family gathered around him at the kitchen table and handed him a wrapped box with a big red bow.

He gave the box a knowing look, almost as if he knew what was waiting for him inside. But the second he peeked inside and saw those two adorable eyes staring back at him, he completely broke down.

In that moment, he knew his life was about to change for the better.

Watch the precious moment in the video on the next page!