Wisconsin veteran's motorcycle journey with trained service dog, Rylee
HARTLAND, Wis. - A trip to the West Coast and back – just a Hartland man, his motorcycle and his dog.
"I leave all my stress behind – no stress. No anxiety," said Thomas Sarnowski.
Sarnowski just got back from a vacation most people could only dream of.
"This whole trip I did – I didn’t plan at all. Very little. I knew I was headed west," Sarnowski said.
![4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.03.08.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2023/10/932/524/4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.03.08.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Thomas Sarnowski
The journey took him 20 days. Sarnowski logged 6,800 miles on his Honda Gold Wing. He trekked through 16 states and 12 national parks.
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But if you think this is just a story about someone's vacation, we should tell you who else was along for the ride.
"This is Rylee," Sarnowski said. "Been my riding partner for about four-and-a-half years."
![4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.38.24.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2023/10/932/524/4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.38.24.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Rylee is Sarnowski's West Highland Terrier. He is buckled into a basket on the back of Sarnowski's bike – ready to ride.
"Having a human on the back is different than having a service dog on the back. He’s never argued once with me where we are going," Sarnowski said.
![4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.36.28.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2023/10/932/524/4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.36.28.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Their trip halfway across the country was a vacation for Sarnowski, but it was work for Rylee. He is a trained service dog.
"I saved him, he saved me," Sarnowski said.
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Sarnowski retired from the United States Air Force in 2004 – after more than two decades of service. Doctors diagnosed him with PTSD and chronic anxiety a few years ago. Without Rylee looking after him, Sarnowski said he would never have gotten this far.
"He’s my life. He’s my lifeline," Sarnowski said.
![4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.53.26.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2023/10/932/524/4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.53.26.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Thomas Sarnowski, Rylee
The American Psychiatric Association has been studying the impact service animals have on veterans. One study found a reduction in symptoms and improved social interactions.
Sarnowski said in 2024, he might take Rylee on a road trip through Canada.
Sarnowski and Rylee's road trip info
Sept. 6-25, 2023
6,718 miles
National parks visited
- Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Nev.
- INYO National Forest, Calif.
- Yosemite National Park, Calif.
- Stanislaus National Forest, Calif.
- Alcatraz Island, Calif.
- Pinnacles National Park, Calif.
- Sequoia National Park, Calif.
- Joshua Tree National Park, Calif.
- Tonto National Forest, Ariz.
- White Sands National Park. N.M.
- Mammoth Cave National Park, Ky.
- Indiana Dunes National Park, Ind.
![4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.48.06.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2023/10/932/524/4P-MAN-AND-DOG-GO-ON-A-ROAD-TRIP-PKG_WITIe07a_186__00.00.48.06.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Rylee
States visited
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- Nebraska
- Wyoming
- Utah
- Nevada
- California
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Indiana
- Michigan