Raphael Jarvis is going to get through this 9/11 anniversary with the help of a new partner.
The retired city sanitation officer, who spent months after the 2001 terror attack digging through the wreckage looking for survivors only to years later join the invasion of Iraq as a soldier, is now getting comfort for the PTSD he suffered thanks to a service dog named Ben.
"He jumped on me right away," said the 64-year-old Bronx man told The Post of his first meeting with his new canine companion, which was made possible by veterans' group K9s For Warriors.
"I have the happiness that was missing all these years."
Like so many New Yorkers, Jarvis' life changed forever on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001.
He recalled how the weather on the crisp Tuesday morning seemed like it was going to be a "perfect day" -- then halfway through his a.m. shift he heard the news of planes crashing into the World Trade Center.
"Nobody believed it - everybody thought it was a Bruce Willis movie," Jarvis said, adding that he thought to himself, "I hope nobody dies."
He raced down to Ground Zero "going right into action," and didn't leave "the pile" for the next nine months looking for signs of life and ultimately, for remains.
It was a grim task - with Jarvis recalling, "You could smell the morgue" - that would haunt him for years to come.
He also suffered the loss of two people he knew well - former first officer, Walter McNeil, and fireman friend, Ronnie Henderson.
After suffering through the 9/11 attack's aftermath, Jarvis' service to his country wasn't over.
Despite preparing to retire after 23 years in the National Guard -- he even filled out his retirement paperwork -- Jarvis’ unit was called up after the attack deployed to Iraq with the 2003 US invasion. He said he willingly went because it was his duty.
"I did what I had to do," he said stoically.
Even after retiring from the military the following year, the divorced New Yorker had demons he just couldn't shake.
While he donned his Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran hat with pride, he was profoundly hurting.
"I came back home and I didn't recognize myself," Jarvis admitted, noting that he unceremoniously snapped at people, suffered crippling headaches and couldn't sleep at night.
"I felt like I was constantly looking over my shoulder."
Even going to his beloved Yankees game was suddenly off the table.
"I didn't like the crowds or the noise," he said. "All that shut down."
Family told him he was "different."
The consequences of 9/11 and his time at war affected Jarvis decades later, he said.
When a counselor from the VA hospital told him "not to keep everything inside me because one day I might blow up," it left a deep impression.
"I thought I could handle myself, but I realized I needed help," he conceded.
He was finally diagnosed with PTSD, along with depression and anxiety.
The lifelong "animal lover" took the first steps and applied for a service dog.
By 2023, he connected with instant best friend Ben, the highly trained golden retriever provided by K9s For Warrior, which covered the roughly $30,000 in costs for the nine months of training the dog undergoes.
Ben has become his "pride and joy" who's "more than medication."
The two don't leave one another's side - and that will include returning to the WTC site on Thursday's anniversary.
"I couldn't do that without Ben," he said, adding that it's important for him to pay his respects. "I still get those butterflies in my stomach."
Ben makes him "feel good, I feel safe."
With twists and turns in life that he couldn't imagine, Jarvis said he wouldn't change a thing.
"I'm definitely proud of my service - if I had to do it all again, I would."