Pets Hunters

Dogs Serving Veterans

A very touching slideshow from the New York Times: Dogs Serving Veterans.

Pictured here: Sue Downes, 28, was deployed to Afghanistan as a military police officer when she lost both legs in an explosion in 2006. Through the Neads (National Education for Assistance Dog Services) Canines for Combat Veterans program, she was paired with Lila in 2007.

The dog has become a loving and intuitive companion, helping Ms. Downes walk and deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"She helps me with a lot of stress issues, which I didn't expect her to do," she said.

See more photos of veterans and their companion helpers.

Source: New York Times

Photo: Winthrop Handy