Jon Harris

A YEAR BEHIND
THE LEASH

Some stories pull you in because they’re impossible to forget. This one starts with a crash that shattered a life, moves through war zones where survival depended on a dog’s nose and a handler’s courage, and ends in a courtroom where justice becomes a new mission. This book follows a man who walked through trauma, loss, danger, and reinvention more times than most people face in a lifetime. What carried him forward wasn’t just grit. It was purpose, companionship, and the dogs who refused to let him give up. This isn’t just a memoir. It’s a map back to hope.
From PTSD to Prosecutor. A Journey of Hope and Service

About the Author

Jon T Harris

Jon T. Harris brings frontline experience, legal acumen, and literary craft to his work. He spent over three decades in law enforcement with city, county, and federal agencies across Texas—from patrol officer and K9 handler to criminal investigator and supervisor—gaining perspective on both street-level decisions and departmental leadership. An Army veteran, Harris later deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq for six years as a high-risk security contractor, operating in combat zones where split-second decisions carried life-or-death consequences.

After his contracting work, Harris transitioned to prosecution in New Mexico, applying his law enforcement, military, and operational background to the courtroom. This multifaceted perspective—understanding the split-second judgments officers and operators make under pressure and the legal scrutiny those decisions face—shapes his approach to cases and his philosophy on effective policing. He has been a vocal advocate for de-escalation, tactical patience, and sound judgment, believing the skills that make exceptional officers are the same qualities that create better leaders and people.

Harris is an accomplished writer with hundreds of published articles in newspapers, online forums, and print magazines covering law enforcement procedures, military training and tactics, political analysis, and real-time reporting from overseas war zones. His work reflects insights grounded in lived experience, not theory.

He is also the author of five novels that draw on his understanding of human nature under duress, the moral complexities of justice, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. His fiction, like his nonfiction, is informed by decades navigating the intersection of law, violence, ethics, and consequence.

Harris has been married to Katherine for over forty years. They live in New Mexico, where he continues his legal work while maintaining close ties to the law enforcement and military communities that shaped his career. Whether prosecuting cases, writing, or contributing to conversations about justice and accountability, Harris remains committed to clarity of thought, integrity under pressure, and the belief that good judgment is the most powerful tool we possess.

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Jon T Harris

Our Core Values

Mission

To share a real and raw journey through trauma, recovery, and reinvention offering hope to anyone fighting their own battles, especially veterans, first responders, and families living with PTSD.

Mission

To share a real and raw journey through trauma, recovery, and reinvention offering hope to anyone fighting their own battles, especially veterans, first responders, and families living with PTSD.

Vision

To create a space where stories of struggle aren’t hidden, where service dogs are honored for their impact, and where people understand that healing isn’t linear but it is possible.

Vision

To create a space where stories of struggle aren’t hidden, where service dogs are honored for their impact, and where people understand that healing isn’t linear but it is possible.

Jon T Harris

Our Books

Jon T Harris

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Book Reviews

What readers say about the book

— L. Morgan

“This story hit me hard. It’s honest, raw and unexpectedly hopeful. The way he describes the bond with his dogs is unforgettable.”

— J. Ramirez

“A powerful look at PTSD that doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Useful, emotional and genuinely inspiring. I couldn’t put it down.”

— S. Clarke

“This book helped me understand what PTSD really looks like behind closed doors. It’s not just interesting it’s important.”

— K. Jensen

“The journey from handler to prosecutor is incredible. A helpful reminder that it’s never too late to start over.”

— K. Liu

“The war zone chapters kept me glued to the pages but the reinvention after injury is what inspired me. Starting law school at 60? That takes guts.”

— J. Brewster

“Interesting, emotional and full of heart. This book doesn’t just tell a story it opens a door for conversations we rarely have.”

— Nicole B.

A year behind the leash is a story of reintervention and perseverance veteran who fights and felt pointless and was kept functionally is war dogs.

— Vanessa D.

Jon T Harris shares a veteran's raw year partnering with his war dog against PTSD. Gripping memoir of loyalty healing trauma.

— Sherelle James

This memoir is raw and deeply human, and it stayed with me long after I finished it. The bond with the dogs is incredibly moving, and the way the author talks about trauma, purpose, and coming home feels honest without being overdone. It’s intense, emotional, and very real.

— Tahewa Hemmings

"A Year Behind the Leash" is an enthralling and relatable read that offers a unique perspective on the world. The author's storytelling is engaging, and their experiences are both fascinating and humorous.

— Iesha Martin

A Year Behind the Leash is a powerful memoir that goes beyond the typical military narrative. Jon Harris shares his journey with raw honesty, showing how his partnership with his war dogs helped him battle PTSD and find purpose again.