Family Focus: Local agency gives gift of service dogs to veterans

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Every day, 20 veterans commit suicide.

On this Veterans Day, one local agency is taking action to try to save those lives by giving wounded warriors the gift of a service dog.

Cpl. Kenneth Harrison is taking his new dog "Bella" for more than a walk.

The Army veteran hopes it's more like the start of a journey where Bella, a trained service animal, will help him cope with his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"I've seen really bad stuff, bad places, seen the ugliest of people and it's hard," Harrison said.

Wounded warriors meet their service dogs for the first time during a training session and review commands.

"Scout" was matched with veteran Sgt. Otto Borden, who suffers from PTSD and depression.

"Scout will keep me on my toes, give me responsibility and lot of love," Borden said. "I spend a lot of time alone, so she can break that cycle for me."

All the service dogs have been rescued from kill shelters around the country, then trained and provided at no charge to veterans by the nonprofit One Warrior Won.

"The service dogs have been trained to help reduce anxiety, panic attacks, to block and guard so that a veteran has a larger personal space so that people can't invade personal space,” said Rich Brewer, with One Warrior Won.

Rich Brewer said he has seen how the dogs can not only change, but save veterans' lives.

"They go from almost shut-ins to being able to go to grocery stores, concerts, Wal-mart , public places that we take for granted,” Brewer said.

Harrison said that is his plan. He hopes to feel much more comfortable leaving home because Bella has his back.

"I was kind of nervous. Would I like her? Would she like me? But when I finally met her and I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, they could not have done me better,’" Harrison said. "She's my best friend now."

The service dogs are provided in part by funding from the Patriot Military Family Foundation based in Charlotte.

Cox Media Group